Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 02, 2009 08:27pm | #1

   Looking forward to it...

   Chris @ www.flairwoodworks.com
   and www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Jul 03, 2009 07:28am | #2

    If I got this right, here are two of my home made planes:

   
1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 03, 2009 06:15pm | #3

   Screwing on the bar (for lack of a better term) makes it easy. Nice and simple. If it were me, I'd probably have done it the hard way and shaped the body from a single piece. Where's the "obligitory" photo of the plane making a see-through shaving? Just bugging you.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Jul 03, 2009 06:32pm | #4

   There is a "side-bar" on each side. It gives a better "grip".  The first one is about 1" wide, and gives a "hollow" profile of about 1/4" deep. The second one gives a "V" shape, and is about 3/8" wide.    Working on making a "rounds" profile plane.  I can clamp a straight-edge to the work (or the planes) to "guide" the cuts.  The "chisel plane" is also made like these. I use it to clean up rabates and dados.  It uses a 1/2" wide chisel, bevel down.  They don't give the "paper-thin" shavings, yet.   I've used some of these as a "panel-raiser" after cutting away the "waste" with a dado blade.   They ain't bad.

1. 
   philip | Jul 04, 2009 09:07am | #5

   "It uses a 1/2" wide chisel, bevel down. They don't give the "paper-thin" shavings, yet."
   Why not? Ordinary files are made from high carbon steel and will hold an edge much the same as O1 as long as you have not lost temper by over heating when shaping the end.
   What are you using to shape the ends and remove the teeth? (very good application for a belt grinder here which will remove metal and teeth on files chop chop without too much heat either).Philip Marcou

2. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Jul 04, 2009 11:00am | #6

   I just have a "regular" grinder.  Shavings are close to paper thin.  On the "V" groover, not looking for paper thin, same as the other "profile planes" I have.   The chisel for the "chisel plane" does need a bit of sharpening.   But for cleaning up tenons, dados and other 'grooves" it works just fine.   I did make "holders" for these planes. Just a "U" shaped jig, made of three pieces of 1x3 scraps. Those side pieces rest on top with the "business end" not touching the bottom of the holder.   Old "Blue Diamond" files, teeth almost gone.  This gives them a new lease on life.  Plus, the "price" is right.  $.00!

3. 
   philip | Jul 04, 2009 12:08pm | #7

   Yes, I reckon that old files are under appreciated by woodworms. This is aggravated by that cyber myth mantra which says that they just shatter and kill you if you use them for anything except filing. They make great turning tools. For those with black smithing ability they are a source of free steel to make all kinds of things.
   But we must be careful: just now there will admonitions from on high which decree: THOU SHALT NOT PLAY WITH OR MAKE TOOLS-THOU SHALT AT ALL TIMES WORK WOOD (BY HAND) ONLY. Strangely, these words (or similar) often come from those who denigrate high cost planes etc. I digress, maybe I should get to grip with my own blog.Philip Marcou

4. 
   flairwoodworks | Jul 04, 2009 07:38pm | #8

   "Yes, I reckon that old files are under appreciated by woodworms."Philip,I might guess that old files are OVER-appreciated by woodworkers. That is, we keep using them and using them and using them well after they are worn out. I'm guilty of that.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

5. 
   philip | Jul 05, 2009 01:04am | #9

   You might be right.....but I am impatient with files, much like sand paper- they work nicely for a short part of their life -after that I want a new one....Philip Marcou

6. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Jul 05, 2009 09:33am | #10

    Now you know what to do with the "old" files.   It's a lot more fun than "deleting" old files.   Now, IF I can figure out how to use all those "half-round" files I've got.  I've also got one that has SIX sides!   That should be fun to use.