Hand Planes

[Yadda]

Very nice!

[Jim C.]

Hi Hand Plane Enthusiasts,

I hope all is well with you and you're enjoying some shop time. I very recently completed this wall cabinet.  Of course the entire project included using several different planes.  The star of the show however was the Stanley #100 1/2 block plane.  With a sole that is curved side to side (7/8") and end to end (12"), I was able to rough out the contours on the top and face of the cabinet without too much trouble.  I cleaned them up with various rasps, files and sandpaper. 

Jim C.

[Lewill2]

WOW! Outstanding craftsmanship and creative design. Well, done Sir.

[Yadda]

WOW! Outstanding craftsmanship and creative design. Well, done Sir.

What he said +1!

[Jim C.]

Many thanks guys.  I appreciate your kind words.  Could not have done it without that little Stanley #100 1/2. 

Jim C.

[lptools]

Beautiful work , Jim!!

[Jim C.]

Thanks Lou!  I appreciate your kind words.  It was a good project.  Now it's on to the next one.

Jim C.

[Jim C.]

Hello Hand Plane Aficionados,

I hope all is well with you and you're doing some great work with your hand planes.  I'm currently working on a desktop, made from a solid walnut slab.  When I bought the slab, I had it milled flat, ending up with a 1.75" thick behemoth of a board.  At just under nine feet in length and about 2.5' feet in width, it was flat on both sides but covered in mill marks.  In order to get them smooth, I started with a Stanley #608 Bedrock.  Weighing in at about ten pounds and outfitted with a super sharp iron set for a light to medium pass, the #608 is hard to stop once in motion and will knock down the high spots in short order.  To accomplish this, the plane should be pushed at approximately forty five degrees across the grain.  Once the #608 has done its job, I turn to the Stanley #605 1/2 Bedrock to knock down more of the marks.  I finish with the Stanley #604 1/2, some sandpaper and a scraper or two. (It should be noted that all three Bedrocks are at least 110 years old.)

Jim C.

[Yadda]

Nice work!

[lptools]

Well played!!

[Jim C.]

Thanks Yadda! Thanks Lou!

[Lewill2]

Jim, I love seeing your projects come to life. You have a great insight into your craft and bring it off brilliantly. Well done again.

[Jim C.]

Hey Les! Many thanks for your kind words and thanks for stopping by the thread.  As one of the original readers, you've been a great contributor to the thread all along.  I appreciate your support and your encouraging presence.  The desk top I made for my wife started as a nine foot long walnut slab that I bought at Bucks County Hardwood.  That's probably right in your neighborhood!  Anyway, a beautiful piece of wood like that has a way of making a woodworker look good.  As the woodworker/beneficiary, it's my job not to screw it up.  I just let the slab do the talking.

Jim C.

[Lewill2]

They are about 17 miles South of me.

[Jim C.]

They are about 17 miles South of me.

My wife and I are seriously considering a walnut slab dining room table and chairs.  Maybe it will be a project for this coming Fall/Winter.....