Replies

1. 
   BG | Dec 30, 2004 06:09pm | #1

   Art,

   I believe the 'tear out' issue is best handled with a York frog in a LN #4 creating a 45 degree pitch....you'll never be able to achieve that angle with a bevel up block plane.  The other best alternative for 'tear out' is a hand scraper.  It's best to sharpen your block plane for end grain...

   I've picked up some planes at Toby's Farm in Rowley on Sunday mornings at reasonable prices ($8-$10) in the spring and summer.

    

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   ArtKK | Dec 30, 2004 06:17pm | #2

   Great Idea on heading up to Rowley! Do you know the address of Toby's Farm I can't seem to find it online anywhere. Thanks Again!!

   -Art

1. 
   BG | Dec 30, 2004 06:44pm | #3

   Art,

   I suspect Toby's is not online (I hope I have the correct name, my mind today....) but it's on 1A just north of the Clam Box in Ipswich (yum) about 2-3 miles..ya can't miss it..about 150 vendors.  That is in the spring, summer and fall...

   There are also a few Antique auctions...fun to just go and watch and they usually have several vendors outside selling used tools ....I scratched my nose and ended us with 6 wooden planes for $50 bucks...so be careful....lol 

2. 
   BG | Dec 30, 2004 10:51pm | #4

   Art,

   I made a mistake..it's Todd's Farm

   http://www.toddfarm.com/index2.html

     

2. 
   gdblake | Dec 31, 2004 02:07am | #5

   Keep the iron that came with the plane at 25 degrees plus a 2 degree microbevel when you hone it.  Buy a Hock iron ($30) and regrind to 30 degrees to use the plane as a smoother.

3. 
   robert1 | Dec 31, 2004 07:46pm | #6

   I think that the modern day woodworker is at a considerable disadvantage when it comes to hand tool maintainance. It is relatively easy to get a piece of wood "four square" using a tuned tablesaw, jointer and planer, but just try it with hand tools and considerable appreciation will develop for the woodworker of yesteryear. With regard to your dilemma, my first inclination is to make sure that the plane blade is SHARP... I mean REALLY SHARP. I try not to get too hung up over the exact degrees a plane blade or any blade for that matter, is sharpened at. I know that certain tasks are performed better when the blade is sharpened at certain angles, but that will never make up for a blade that is poorly sharpened. I have the Stanley low angle block plane and can take translucent shavings off of ash, cherry, walnut, etc. The blade is very sharp.

   Welcome aboard, the adventure has just begun!!!

1. 
   ArtKK | Dec 31, 2004 08:23pm | #7

   Thanks!!! Yes, I read one time a few years ago when I was picking up my first few tools that one of the biggest differences between a good woodworker and a great one is how they treat their tools. So, I figured if it will help that much I will baby mine, and thats what I've always done. I just picked up some new plate glass and lapping paper and i am happy to report that all my planes and chisels are ridiculously sharp, hell I'm afraid of them. Thanks for the tip!

   -Art