Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 20, 2009 05:46am | #1

   ida,

   I don't know if that means you are a fast worker, or a s-l-o-w  writer.

   Ray

1. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 20, 2009 07:28am | #3

   I was just reading the discussion on hand planes and I felt that my time would be better spent working on wood with my hands.  I also was wondering if the old timers that used all those old hand planes ever spent time tuning them up or did they just use them as they were?

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 20, 2009 04:21pm | #5

   ida,

   I've seen enough old wooden planes with patched mouths to conclude that at least some of the old timers thought it worthwhile to attempt to tune them as they wore.  No doubt, it was then just as philip has suggested; (as it is now,) lots of different viewpoints and opinions, and plenty of bloviators, experts, doers and talkers to keep the taverns warm with hot air.

   Ray

2. 
   prbayliss | Mar 21, 2009 06:28am | #7

   "felt that my time would be better spent working on wood with my hands"Sorry for being a smart a**, but can't resist. I wouldn't recommend just using your hands, you'll definitely regret it, splinters etc.On a slightly more serious note, I pretty much use only hand tools and it's thoroughly enjoyable and depending on what you're doing can be quicker than setting up a machine. I also think that you learn much more about the wood that you are working. Grain direction, potential to split/chip, that kind of thing.It's also horses for courses, so figure as best you can which way to go - a mix of power and hand tools is probably most realistic, but currently not so for me.Best regards,
   Paul

2. 
   Jammersix | Mar 21, 2009 08:13am | #8

   Not to mention ambidextrous.

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 21, 2009 04:28pm | #10

   Jammer,

   Love that word ambidextrous.  Although I am apparently unable to spell it correctly the first time I try.  It always reminds me of this:

   The End of the World

   Quite unexpectedly, as Vasserot

   The armless ambidextrian was lighting

   A match between his great and second toe,

   And Ralph the lion was engaged in biting

   The neck of Madame Sossman while the drum

   Pointed, and Teeny was about to cough

   In waltz-time swinging Jocko by the thumb

   Quite unexpectedly the top blew off:

   And there, there overhead, there, there hung over

   Those thousands of white faces, those dazed eyes,

   There in the starless dark, the poise, the hover,

   There with vast wings across the cancelled skies,

   There in the sudden blackness the black pall

   Of nothing, nothing, nothing -- nothing at all.

   -- Archibald MacLeish

2. 
   prbayliss | Mar 20, 2009 06:12am | #2

   Well, you got me. Care to expand on that?

   Best regards,
   Paul

3. 
   philip | Mar 20, 2009 12:47pm | #4

   "I also was wondering if the old timers that used all those old hand planes ever spent time tuning them up or did they just use them as they were?"
   I doubt if much has changed except that we now have various forms of instant communication. There would have those complaining about new fangled metal planes with adjusters that were so expensive, and others wittering on about cast steels, forged iron, laminated steels, steels with lots of carbon, foreign steels-and there would be those who used them just as they were and complained about those who didn't....And even those who invented new planes altogether, so that more talking could happen. And used strange steels. And sharpening methods and even things like honing guides and pedal powered grinders...Gawd save us all.Some just sat and thinked, whilst others just sat.
   Actually, before you head back to your shop: someone on this forum has spent his working life (and his father too) not knowing that Stanley type planes are designed to be adjustable for cut without having to reduce the lever cap pressure pressure- he got to find otherwise by reading these plane threads you refer to.(Happily he has not been mortally offended by the revelation).
   What are you making in your shop anyway?

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 20, 2009 05:24pm | #6

   Currently I have three to four projects started or in the planning stages. My brother and I are making Okinawan martial arts weapons, such as bos, jos, hanbo, and tan bos. Also getting ready to rough out an eiku or oar for final hand working. I am designing and building wine gift boxes, seems a shame to give a bottle of wine and have nothing after the last drop is poured. I have purchased plans and wood to begin working on Thomas Jefferson's lapdesk for my sisters 50th birthday present. Also with spring break here I am going to rearrange my garage shop to better organize the flow of work and to actually gain space.

1. 
   philip | Mar 21, 2009 09:05am | #9

   Now that sounds interesting.....get hold of your camera and let us see them....Philip Marcou

1. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 21, 2009 06:25pm | #11

   Will do that.

1. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 22, 2009 08:29am | #12

   Here are some samples of work.

   
2. 
   Ray | Mar 22, 2009 04:44pm | #13

   On the pic of workbench drawers, is that the bottom of the drawer sticking out with the finger-pull?  If so, how do you fasten it to the drawer?  Really looks good.

3. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 22, 2009 06:05pm | #14

   That is the drawer bottom and slide. I cut grooves in the case sides for the drawers to slide in and put stops in the back. The drawers all have slots on sides for oak dividers at 1/8" thick. This was for my brother in his garage.

4. 
   Ray | Mar 22, 2009 09:08pm | #16

   Thanks, that's an interesting design.  I'm starting some shop cabinets myself and really like your drawer treatment.

5. 
   idafleetdoc | Mar 22, 2009 06:06pm | #15

   O yeah. Thank you.