Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Nov 16, 2002 04:43am | #1

   Try reading the Handplane by Garrett Hack Taunton Press or Restoring,Tuning&Using Classic Woodworking Tools

                                                    Jako

1. 
   domermatt | Nov 16, 2002 05:09am | #2

   Restoring, Tuning and Using Woodworking Tools is by Mike Dunbar, the dean of hand tools as far as I'm concerned.

2. 
   jase | Nov 16, 2002 05:22am | #3

   Another vote for Garrett Hack's book. I'm getting into hand tools myself and The Handplane Book helped me understand how to tune and set up my planes. Have yet to become a proficient planer though. Hack does an excellent job with this book in opening up the world of planes to the newcomer. Reading his book also got me thinking I could make my own wooden planes. I'll get there eventually.

   Jase--Is there a better way?
1. 
   jako17 | Nov 16, 2002 05:54am | #4

   Dunbar's book has good info on hardening and tempering irons for moulding planes.I recently made one following  his book with great sucess

                                                      Jako

3. 
   mrles | Nov 16, 2002 08:40am | #5

   Woodsmth

   I'm not a purist and think you have to use a handplane to be a woodworker, however there is a real joy in using one and maintain it. I probably have 30 planes total. Most I've bought used and restored them to useable condition. I have Stanleys, Records, wood planes, and recently I bought a Buck ( made by the same people who make pocket knives). The Buck really surprised me, paid $20.00 at Home Depot. I believe it is 6 1/2", it took about 15 minutes to flatten the sole and hone the iron and it was up and running. They had a 7 1/2" that didn't look as good as the one I bought it was less than $10.00. They also had a jack plane I didn't  price it. The reason I'm telling you this is you don't have to pay a big price to have a good hand tool. I have 5" to 22" planes and I use the smaller ones the most.

   To answer your question FW has had an article or two over the years about restoration of planes. Theres not a lot to it.

   God Bless and Good Luck

   les

4. 
   NormInFujino | Nov 16, 2002 12:53pm | #6

   Check out RJ's 19 Steps to Tuning Hand Planes

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township