Binding

Hi Folks

Found some spare time on the weekend to do some more work on my guitar project. I've added the binding around the body and given the guitar a good sanding - the top was then stained with a thinned lemon dye. A coat of cellulose sealer keeps the dirt out of the pores.

Next step is to finish inlaying the fingerboard and then I can spray the finish.

This week sees a smoother in Greenheart - a very hard and dense timber. More pics soon!

Cheers

Philly

Coffin Smoother with Norris Adjuster

Hi Folks

Had a good day finishing off the brass soled coffin smoother - take as look at the photo's, I think you'll agree it came out quite nicely!

I was very pleased with the adjuster - it works smoothly and accurately. And the plane is a pleasur e to use, the substantial weight means you only have to push the plane forward - it holds itself onto the workpiece!

Cheers

Philly

Black Magic

Hi Folks

Just putting the finishing touches on my current plane - its a brass soled coffin smoother in African Blackwood. This one is special as it has a norris-style adjuster, the first on this particualr model.

I've completed all the major components and have only the final shaping and finishing to complete. So tomorrow will see this beauty complete - looking forward to seeing this one polished up!

I was flicking through the current issue of "British Woodworking" magazine and was pleasantly surprised to see me featured in an article on scrapers - I vaguely remember demonstratrating how to sharpen and use them at the recent WL West show. And the article also shows my Toted Smoother in use, too.

Over at Karl Holteys website he has started blogging - very enlightening to see some of his methods being demonstrated. Well worth a read!

Cheers

Philly

News....

Hi Folks

Been a lot happening here over the last week or so and its been busy! I only just found time to sneak in my birthday ;)

Completed a trio of planes for an American customer - he wanted some custom touches on two of them. First, a Jack - an offset tote, styled like an 18C plane. And then a smoother, but shaped like the one in Moxon's book. Interesting styling, but surpringly comfortable to use. Once the customer gives me his feedback I'll post some pics.

Current plane in progress is a brass soled coffin smoother in African Blackwood. This one will be the first with a norris style adjuster, though. I think this will turn out to be quite a plane and I can't wait to see it completed.

Other news - Karl Holtey has launched a new website. Take a look here...... He makes the most astonishingly wonderful planes, and to the highest possible standard. I don't think I'm out of line to say his are the finest in the world - his attention to detail is otherworldly!

In the pipeline are some exciting new projects - I'm so excited about them I want to blurt out the details. But you're just going to have to be patient - watch this space :)

Cheers

Philly

West Dean

Hi Folks

Just about recovered after the Hand Tool event. It was a fantastic weekend and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Highlights for me were having my bench next to planemakers Karl Holtey and Bill Carter - the chance to chat throughout the weekend with them both about plane related things was heaven! It was also interesting to compare their work - Mr Holteys planes are sheer perfection, every detail being spot on. Mr Carters planes on the other hand, while made to the same high standards, are aged to give a "vintage" appearance and could be mistaken for being pristine examples of classic infill planes.

The UK Workshop crew dropped by to say hello and it was good to meet customers who I previously only dealt with via email. David Charlesworth was also at the show, which was a special treat - I haven't seen David for almost a year so it was good to see him out and and about.

Last week I had a few emails from a Gent in Norway asking questions about planes and planemaking. It turned out that he was coming to the UK to attand a violin making course - I told him about the Hand Tool event and he managed to catch an earlier flight so he could attend the show before going off to his course. So say hello to Stig - I have a feeling he'll be turning up at my workshop in the near future ;)

After getting home and unpacking the van I was pretty wiped out on Monday. So I spent some time cleaning the workshop - a perfect way to recharge my batteries! This week I've been making a trio of planes for an American customer from Beech, but with some interesting details - a smoother like the one featured in Moxon and a Jack with an off-set tote. I'll have some photo's for you later in the week .

Be good,

Philly

Three Days To Go....

Hi Folks

Been busy on various bits and pieces for the upcoming West Dean event. Completed the Moving Fillister plane, too - some fantastic Beech on this one. The Fillister is a complicated plane to build, not only because of the skewed iron, but because of the depth stop mechanism. But its worth all the hard work to produce such a handsome and practical plane. Chris Schwarz was very pleased with his - read his review here....

Had a phone call from the editor of Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine yesterday - they want to come down to the workshop for the day and do a feature on me and the planes. Yes, I'm very excited about that! Stay tuned for more details.

My Canadian customer has received his Moulding planes and he seems to be happy with them - see his blog here...

Cheers

Philly