Make a wooden pull plane
Vic Tesolin's wooden pull plane is not a Japanese plane, but his own version that cuts on the pull stroke instead of pushing like a standard western plane.
Synopsis: Vic Tesolin’s wooden pull plane is not a Japanese plane, but his own version that cuts on the pull stroke instead of pushing like a standard western plane. Constructed of two core pieces and two cheeks, with a wedge that holds the blade secure, it takes about a day to make.
A couple of years ago, I was exposed to Japanese plane making. A friend let me try some of his planes and I fell in love with them. They feel nimbler in my hands, and I feel like I have more control over what I’m doing on the pull stroke. But after a few failed attempts at trying to make a Japanese plane, I realized it was not an easy task. They don’t have any flat surfaces and the blades are tapered in two directions.
I truly enjoy pulling planes, so I set out to…
Start your 14-day FREE trial to continue reading this story.
Plus, access more than 1,900 in-depth articles and more when you become a member.
Start Your Free Trial NowAlready a member? Log In
Comments
The Krenov method of wooden plane-making was invented partly to avoid the necessity to make "pockets" on the inside of the mouth to hold and guide the blade-retaining wedge. A crossbar is used instead.
The crossbar is easier to make and install correctly, especially for a first-time maker. Wear, compression and distortion in the wooden wedge are far less likely to become a problem with a crossbar than they are with pockets inside the cheeks, which have to fit the wedge exactly. Wear of the crossbar is also a non-issue whereas wear to the pockets in the cheeks will soon adversely affect the ability to place and retain the blade.
Why has ole Vic done the pocket thing then? Because he could, perhaps. :-)
Lataxe
Log in or become a member to post a comment.
Sign up Log in