I've been meaning to make myself this jack plane for a while. I wanted something that was as handy to use as a smoother but a bit longer for flattening work, as well as on the shooting board. It is 12" long with a 1 3/4" Hock blade.
I made it from Lignum Vitae which is probably the best plane making wood available, if you can get large enough chunks. Timberline in Kent usually has good stocks. It is very heavy, with an SG of 1.3, the plane weighs in at 2.5 lbs and feels nice and hefty in the hand. Lignum is also very oily so it planes with the minimum of friction. This blank was bang on quarter sawn so any shrinkage will have minimal effect on the sole flatness. It's not a pretty wood and its very expensive so I haven't used it on any of the planes I sell.
I decided to shape the plane straight from the band saw in Krenov style. This makes it very tactile and adds a little more 'grip'. I worked carefully to get the shaping just right, you can always take away but you can't add back!
It surprising how deft you can be with a 2 tpi blade.
The mouth opening is a slither, just how I like it!
The test run on some hard birds eye maple, I think we are going to be good friends.
Honestly, it's a bit too rough and 'unrefined'. Call me crazy.
ReplyDeleteIan
Hi Ian, this is a worker not a looker, but you're right I don't think I would sell many if I made them this way. I have have a couple of planes made by James Krenov and they are a lot rougher than this! All the best, David.
DeleteDavid,
DeleteI guess I just find so so many of your posts to contain such great work, great photo's, and are a bit aspirational for me. This wood and the function of the plane is asperirational, but when the impression of the piece is so dramatically differant from your other styles.
Feels like a Broadway Vocalist performing a rock song in a garage band or something? The vocal is still there, but the garage detracts from the performance.
Again, call me crazy, and everyone has their own style.
Ian
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteWould you happen to remember what the bedding angle is on this particular plane? It appears to be rather shallow from the photos. Thanks!
-Leo
Hi Leo, Yes I can see what you mean in the pictures but it is a standard 45 degrees. All the best, David.
DeleteMost excellent, thank you, David!
ReplyDeleteThey are suppsed to look like that! Why hide all that hand work by SIMPLY sandi g it away? I like to see the facets :). Ive just made 3 planes at Inside Passage school of fine woodworking this last 2 weeks. A jointer, smoother and curved bottom..all needed to build the small quaint Wani-Sabi cabinet. im at home for the weekend..i live locally. I cant wait to get back into my shop and make some more planes...one i want to do out of Lignum, just not sure if i should make it solid LV or use an applied sole to a warmer block? Nice planes David!
ReplyDeleteLucky you that's a great school! I used to make them with applied LV soles but I had a couple of problems in areas of great humidity change. I made them from solid LV from that point on and never had any issues. The other advantage is the extra weight and that lovely smell in the throat (of the plane!). Good luck! David.
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