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Brese Plane
HandWorks This Weekend
Independent Tool Makers all over our country have been working toward making ready for the HandWorks Event this weekend. I made my last two shipments to Iowa on Monday. Julie and I will be making our way to Amana on Wednesday. We're looking forward to meeting new people and seeing old friends as well. Thanks to the generosity of my customers I will have more planes on my bench at this show than any show we have participated in to date. So in this post I thought I would give a bit of a preview.
First off is the Winter Smoother completed just this past Saturday. This plane's body is made from 0-1 tool steel and has Koa tote and Knob. It's a smallish smoother with a sole 8.125" long and uses a 1.875 wide iron pitch at 50 degrees.
First off is the Winter Smoother completed just this past Saturday. This plane's body is made from 0-1 tool steel and has Koa tote and Knob. It's a smallish smoother with a sole 8.125" long and uses a 1.875 wide iron pitch at 50 degrees.
This tool has a patina finish on the brass parts which gives it a very different look. It also gives the brass a no maintenance finish.
This size plane is becoming more and more popular. This tool is nimble enough for edge work yet substantial enough for working the faces of panels.
Another similar tool from the Stainless Steel line of tools is the 812-50S Smoothing plane. This plane also has Koa tote and knob and in this case the figure is curly. As of late we have upgraded the stainless used on these plane bodies to 440C high carbon stainless.
Nothing looks quite like Koa. Whether it has curly figure or not it always has interesting color variations that range from dark to light in contrast. It is lighter in weight than a lot of the dense infill woods that plane makers use, however it takes an excellent finish and feels great in the hand.
This one of my favorite planes and the next one will have Olive wood which is a material that I always look forward to working.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Over the last couple of months I've been working with Tico Vogt of Vogt ToolWorks developing a plane made for use with the new "No Rock" Shooting Board. This plane will of course work in any style shooting board but the ability to fasten to the "No Rock" board makes it somewhat unique and versatile. Like I said this is something completely different from an overall design aspect. I took a "Woodworking Goes Industrial" approach to this tool. The model number for this tool is 125-38SBP but we've taken to calling this plane the "Brute". Weighing in at around 10 lbs. we expect people will be able to shoot 5/4 stock with ease.
And here's a picture of the "No Rock" Shooting Board
The "Brute" plane will be on Tico's Bench at HandWorks this weekend and the plane below will be on my bench residing on a Vogt Toolworks 'Super Chute"
A "Colluser". (definition: Collector and User) See Below.
There will one more older relic at HandWorks this Weekend and you may have run into this relic at other woodworking events.
Fred is a great supporter and patron of small independent toolmakers and an avid Hand Tool Woodworker. In fact there is not enough room here to list all the great things Fred does that helps the Hand Tool Woodworking World go round. Beside being a great customer Fred also helps fund product development for many small toolmaking shops. In essence he has a great influence on what tools are made available by the small toolmakers. There will be tools at HandWorks this weekend that would not be there without his support and assistance. Thanks Fred!
Hope to see you in Iowa this weekend,
Ron
Categories: Hand Tools
Isaac Smith, Saw Maker, etc.
As new saw makers come on the scene I take notice of their work and I started taking note of the work of Isaac Smith a while back. As of late his work has started showing the attention to detail that is unique among only the best and most particular of craftsman.
As some of you know I have quite a collection of dovetail saws all made by contemporary saw makers. Recently I commissioned Isacc Smith to make a saw for my collection. I sent Isaac a piece of my prized Macassar Ebony for the tote and what I got back is a saw that I’ve been enjoying immensely.
Isaac’s work is impressive to say the least. To say the most, the saw functions as good as it looks.
When people have the opportunity to try all of my saws side by side they typically come to the conclusion that my Eccentric Saw, made my Andrew Lunn, is without a doubt the top saw of the bunch. Bear in mind all these saws are wonderful tools so I’m not dismissing the work of any of these fine craftsman. Nevertheless the saw I recently received from Isaac Smith is possibly the equal of the Eccentric saw.
Let me qualify something here. I’m in no way an authority on saws. But I am one picky individual when it comes to tools and this saw has impressed me. My methods for testing were nothing more than all these saws compared one to another on the same piece of wood. It could very well be that some might perform better in differing woods. Like I said it was not exactly a scientific test. It was more a test of feel and reaction.
Moreover every detail on this saw is pleasing and the tote feels wonderful in the hand and the areas that have defined crisp lines are not the areas that contact your hand. The tote embodies precision, comfort and beauty
I’ve also noticed that Isaac is making some other tools as well and I have one of his carbide Scrawls that I’ve been using for everything from marking for screws holes to turning burrs in tight corners on my plane bodies.
He also has introduced a saw filing aid called a RakeMaker. It has the same attention to detail as his saws.
Like I said, I’m not an authority, just a very pleased customer. You can find out more by following this link, Blackburn Tools.
Ron
Categories: Hand Tools
HandWorks Plane
In less time that we can imagine a lot of us will be gathering in Amana, Iowa for the HandWorks event. If the unique venue and the stellar gathering of tool makers were not enough to get you there then take this into consideration.
THERE WILL BE FREE STUFF!
Many of the presenters at this event will be donating tools to be given away in a drawing at this event. I'm happy to participate because this stands to be the hand tool woodworking event of the year.
I've wanted to make a version of the Norris #31 plane for quite some time and just never could find time to develop the process for this tool. This event was the perfect excuse to make time and I have to admit it's been an interesting endeavor. I've enjoyed using this plane for the last couple of weeks since it was completed and I'm looking forward to passing it on to whomever becomes the new owner at HandWorks.
The sole of this plane is 5" long and the bed angle is 20 degrees, bevel up, the infill is cocobolo.
THERE WILL BE FREE STUFF!
Many of the presenters at this event will be donating tools to be given away in a drawing at this event. I'm happy to participate because this stands to be the hand tool woodworking event of the year.
I've wanted to make a version of the Norris #31 plane for quite some time and just never could find time to develop the process for this tool. This event was the perfect excuse to make time and I have to admit it's been an interesting endeavor. I've enjoyed using this plane for the last couple of weeks since it was completed and I'm looking forward to passing it on to whomever becomes the new owner at HandWorks.
The sole of this plane is 5" long and the bed angle is 20 degrees, bevel up, the infill is cocobolo.
If you are interested in learning more about the HandWorks Event click on the banner below, it should take you to the HandWorks page.
Ron
Categories: Hand Tools
