Replies

1. 
   Napie | Jan 21, 2008 05:47am | #1

   They are pretty tough to get to work correctly, if ever.  I unloaded a near perfect #45 some years ago; it was cool but took up a lot of space for something that didn’t do what was asked of it.  I bought router bits with the money….. 

    

   Check out:

    

   http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan8.htm

    

   This pretty good commentary on it.

    

   Why molding planes?  How about the router?

1. 
   dlb | Jan 21, 2008 04:07pm | #4

   I read this article the other day - it is not encouraging. I can purchase a lot of router bits for the cost of a #55 but I could also buy some profile planes which seem to be easier to maintain and work with. In fact I was actually thinking last evening of making my own profile planes but I need to study that issue some more before embarking on it.

   Thanks for the reply,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   Napie | Jan 21, 2008 05:15pm | #7

   There was an article in FWW years ago by Norm Vandal on making molding planes and I believe L-N has info on the subject.  Making them would certainly be interesting and I think more advantageous than a #55.

2. 
   mufti | Jan 22, 2008 07:45pm | #20

           For molding planes, try buying a nondescript old one and reshape the iron and sole to your needs, it beats starting from scratch.

   There are undercut profiles which cannot be formed with a router and some woods need a very light touch with that tool.

2. 
   jako17 | Jan 21, 2008 05:49am | #2

   The great advantage is that you would own another tool! But for what you would pay for one you could buy a lot of router bits.I have one that I use for short runs of moulding but find setting it up rather finicky.In fact I use a 45 and several rabate planes for the simpler profiles and leave one favorite profile set in the 55 

3. 
   BossCrunk | Jan 21, 2008 03:36pm | #3

   55s work great!  A collection of dozens of dedicated moulders in perfect condition is unbeatable, but if you choose your stock carefully you can run yards and yards of moulding with a 55 just fine.

    

4. 
   BenM | Jan 21, 2008 04:14pm | #5

   What advantage would I get by purchasing a Stanley #55 plane?

   Well, of course, you get bragging rights.

   Once you learn how to set up a 55 you can run lots and lots of molding with no noise and no dust.  But there is a learning curve and some profiles have a steep learning curve.  The biggest disadvantage is that the 55 has no mouth so tear-out is always an issue unless the wood is perfect and the grain is with you.  Other small disadvantages are not being able to do curved work, hardwood is difficult to cut cleanly, and you can only run the 55 in one direction so if the grain is contrary you will get tear-out.

   But when you have the 55 set up properly and you cut a clean molding there is no feeling like it.

1. 
   dlb | Jan 21, 2008 04:55pm | #6

   I understand exactly what you are saying. I get the same feeling when using my Benford 6100 8 h.p. router on an ipe board that is 37 feet long!!

   In all seriousness, my goal in life is to become a period furniture maker and I lean towards using hand tools over powered ones which is what attracts me to the #55. If you look at Patrick Leech's exploded view of the machine you want to cringe - a rotary engine does not have that many parts!

   The current issue of American Period Furniture has a good article on molding planes which after reading it and doing some poking around on the internet, is the way I am leaning.

   Thanks for the input,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   chuckh | Jan 21, 2008 05:33pm | #9

   We should all be so lucky to be chained to a rock and have our livers eaten daily by an organ-hungry raptor than to suffer the agony of this contraption.  -Patrick Leach

   Never has a description so aptly fit an item than this one of the Stanley #55.  And I have actually had some success with it.  It is the kind of tool that if you choose the exact day of the year and all the stars and gods are with you, you might make it work.  Otherwise it will cause you to lose your religion and drive you insane.

   On my last project I resorted to building wooden bodies to accept the 55's blades.  Save yourself the agony, start your collection of molding planes.

   Recovering in Pa,

   -Chuck 

5. 
   9michael9 | Jan 21, 2008 05:29pm | #8

   Lee Valley has a new set of router bits that cut the most important moulding that the 45 cuts.  Sharpening the 45 blades are a task only a fool would choose.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 21, 2008 06:00pm | #10

   Hey Mister!  I resemble that comment. :-)

   Just made a jig to hold the blades and it's a piece of cake.   A simple honing now and then and Bobs your uncle.

   And, I am kinda looking for a #55 also.  Not a high priority but is on the list.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 1/21/2008 10:00 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   dlb | Jan 21, 2008 06:41pm | #11

   Bob,

   After reading the latest postings to this thread, I thought about just purchasing the #55 blades and making a 'holder' for them. Care to post a shot of yours?

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 21, 2008 06:48pm | #12

   dlb,

   I'm at work right now but it is simply a piece of 2x4 about 5" long that I made a 1/8" heel on one end.  Then I drilled a hole in the flat part in front of the heel and drove in a screw.  Next I plopped a magnet into the hole and the screw gives the magnet something to grab onto and it holds the blade to the jig.

   I used this to flatten the backs as they were in dreadful shape.  To hone the blades I simply freehand them on sandpaper glued to glass unless they are rounded, then it's slipstones.  Works for me.

   I will get a pic if you want one but it's really easy to make.  Holding onto those little blades was a real PITA!

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 1/21/2008 10:51 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   dlb | Jan 22, 2008 04:51am | #13

   Bob,

   Thanks for the reply. I thought that it was too cold to go to work where you live!! Yes, if you could post a photo or two that would be great. After reading about the #55 and seeing that a preponderance of postings were more negative than positive I think I am heavily leaning toward individual molding planes.

   I asked the asst. mgr at the local woodworking store if by chance he knew where one might purchase molding planes and he asked me if I was feeling O.K.! I explained by goal in life and he then asked me again if I was feeling O.K. At that point I made my purchase, a Freud beading bit for my router, and told him that I am not coming back, ever, to buy another router bit from him! He stated that he will be looking for me at the Woodworking Show in Atl. this weekend and he will put a few of his favorite router bit aside for me!!

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   chuckh | Jan 22, 2008 05:11am | #14

   dlb,

   Here is what I did with a couple of #55 rounds.  It worked in a pinch.

   http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff56/chuckh_2007/hand%20planes/table-planes007.jpg

   The plane at the top doesn't use a '55 blade.  It's a remake of a #18 hollow.

    

    

1. 
   dlb | Jan 22, 2008 06:01am | #15

   So you made the planes based upon the blades? Good job!

   They look very nice. Would you care to elobrate on the construction of the planes? I have never made one but would like to and I understand less than I know.

   Do you have any links to sites w/ construction info?

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 22, 2008 03:36pm | #16

   dlb,

   Google making wooden molding planes.  You will/should get several sites that describe the process.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

3. 
   chuckh | Jan 22, 2008 04:53pm | #17

   dlb,

   Like Bob said, there is a ton of info on making handplanes, but not quite as much on molding planes.  Here are a couple I found.

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesPDF.aspx?id=2086<!----><!----><!---->

   http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot695.shtml<!----><!---->

   I got the idea from David Finck's book.  He has a brief section on molding planes in the back of his book.  Vandal's article is very good; I've read it several times and I also have Tod Herrli's video.  There are a couple others available on the LN site that are getting good reviews.

   I found the Woodcentral article just this morning and was surprised to read that it takes him two weeks to make a plane.  It only took me a couple of hours to make mine.  I used the table saw to cut the bed and breast surfaces and finished it up with a hand saw and chisel.  The open side design is not one that I would recommend for longevity.  I would think the wedge would eventually warp the body of the plane, but it served the need at the time.  (and saved my sanity) :-)

   Regards,

   -Chuck    

4. 
   dlb | Jan 22, 2008 05:31pm | #18

   Chuck,

   I too this a.m. found the woodcentral site as well as the LN & Tod Herrli's DVDs. The Woodworking Shows is coming to Atlanta this weekend so when I go I will look for a DVD or book on the subject.

   I would suspect that for a simple profile it should not take more than 1/2 day to complete a plane, and of course the more complicated the profile, the more time.

   Thanks for the reply. I'll see what this weekend has in store.

   dlb

   .

    

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

5. 
   MattInPA | Jan 22, 2008 07:22pm | #19

   Check out Larry Williams' recent release if you are looking to make molding planes. Lie Nielsen sells it. I highly recommend it. No detail is left out. $40 is steep for any dvd, but it covers the entire process.

6. 
   dlb | Jan 22, 2008 08:58pm | #21

   Thanks. Saw it this a.m. on the LN site. Will be looking for it at the show this weekend. Maybe it won't cost $40.00 which I agree is steep.

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   DanCC | Jan 22, 2008 09:03pm | #22

   Now that an old expression -- bobs your uncle.  Any idea where it comes from?  I have a guess it goes back to Robert Walpole who was PM in the early 18th century and well known for giving relatives jobs etc.

    Dan Carroll

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 22, 2008 09:15pm | #23

   Dan,

   I believe it was first coined by an Irish politician named Balfour.  I first saw it here on Knots from Midnight (infrequent visitor but very knowledgeable I think).  I guess since it goes with my name I like the ring to it.

   Google it and you'll get all  kinds of various references.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

3. 
   9michael9 | Jan 30, 2008 03:31pm | #25

   I can't stop a guy who is into S&M. Go for it.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 30, 2008 04:53pm | #26

   It's nothing to do with S&M.  For me it was a challenge; same as gettin them bloody thangs to work right proper.  Actually it was Patrick Leach's comments about these planes that got me going.

   But I gotta tell ya that once you figure 'em out, they're a lot of fun, at least my #45 is for me.  Can't wait to get my hands on a 55, but they're expensive.  Gee, I wonder why?

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   cowtown | Jan 30, 2008 10:49am | #24

   9micheal9 was sayin....."sharpening 45 blades is a task only a fool would undertake"Hardly so, all you gotta do is hone the back, unless some fool who forgot to RTFM went at the profile with whatever grinder they had at hand. Eric in Calgary