With Knobs On.....

Hi Folks
Been enjoying myself today, back at the 'bench. The sun was shining, the tools were sharp and I've got some fun planes on the go. Two jointers and two panel raisers. There's a kind of symmetry to it ;)

One thing I've been doing is turning front knobs for a plane. We are all familiar with the standard "Bailey" front knob - like a ball with a stem. Its easy to grip but I do find it a little uncomfortable if you have to use it for a long period of time - then the older style "mushroom" grip is much nicer. I have an old pre-war Stanley #6 that has both handles re-made by the original owner - the rear tote is slightly shorter than standard and feels "compact". I think he must of had smaller hands than me. But the front knob is a slightly fat mushroom shape and is totally gorgeous :) I also like the feel of the one on the Veritas Low Angle Jack.

So I've been turning up half a dozen variations to find my favourite - turning is not my first love, but I do enjoy it once I get into it. And I can now supply my customer with a plane with a choice of front knobs that will suit his hands, not just my own.

Cheers

Philly

Phew...

Hi Folks

Well I'm safely back in the workshop. Three shows in four weeks is too much - there's only one of me, after all ;)

Cressing Temple was an enormous success - the location was perfect, the range of exhibits wide and there was a real buzz in the air. Everyone was catered for (even the children - there was a storyteller stroller the site entertaining the young, and not so young, ones)

The hand tool barn was packed with quality - David Charlesworth, Clifton, Konrad Sauer, Lie-Nielsen, John Lloyd, Veritas (complete with two of their designers, direct from Canada!), Richard Maguire with his awesome handmade workbenches, instrument makers and many many more, including my good self.

It is always a pleasure to chat with everyone who comes by the bench at shows- the feedback and encouragement really re-charges my batteries and reinforces my belief in what I am doing. Cheers!

So back in the 'shop I am working on a Jointer plane in Ovangkol. I finished making the lever cap and norris adjuster yesterday and will have the plane together and running today. Then I can start detailing it and apply the finish - this timber really comes alive when the oil goes on!

Had a visit from a Canadian customer this week - he wanted to collect his Skew Miter plane while visiting England on holiday. Always nice to have visitors at the 'shop - if you're ever in this part of the country drop me a line and come by for a cuppa and a tour!

Cheers

Philly

European Woodworking Show

Hi Folks

Another week, another woodworking show! This weekend is the European Woodworking show at Cressing Temple. It looks like its going to be something special, with a huge list of international ehibitors and demonstrators. I'm looking forward to meeting up with Konrad Sauer again to talk plane stuff and also to see his new infill smoother! Also top Axeman Steve Woodley will be there - always a pleasure to watch him at work.

Skew Miter planes have been this weeks main work, as it seems to be a really popular model at the moment. I should have a pair available for sale this weekend - you can try them out at the show. I've also been busy making plane adjusting hammers - both wooden and brass headed.

A customer has commissioned a convex soled Jack plane for making coopered doors - should be an excellent plane to make and looking forward to geting that one underway. There are also panel raisers and Jointers in progress, so a nice mix of planes about to stream out of the workshop in the coming weeks. Watch this spot for pictures!

Lambrettas news! We've got three new gigs booked for the band, and many more in the pipeline. A new website is being built as we speak and a Facebook group has been set up. So the future is looking bright for the Lambo's.

Cheers

Philly

Yandles.....

HI Folks

Another crazy week here at Philsville - the Yandles Woodworking show is a couple days away and I've been working like crazy to catch up with orders and make stock to take to the show. The weekend after next is the European Woodworking show at Cressing Temple - a new woodworking show, and one that I think is going to be quite something. So no respite for me this month - at least I get a few months rest from shows after that.

Been making good progress on a Jointer plane this week - it is made from Ovangkol, a favourite timber of mine. Its a very hard timber, and working it is quite difficult as the grain is very interlocked and extremely prone to tear-out. So I've been taking it slow and steady, sharpening the tools at the first signs of trouble. The throat has been chopped out and the bed pared, the tote has been shaped and polished and I started work on the metalwork today - this plane is to have a Norris adjuster and screw cap. More pics as she comes to life......

Remember the Lambrettas gig I played a few weeks ago? I've managed to get my hands on two camcorder recordings made on the night - quite enjoyable to watch it again (as well as squirm at the mistakes!). We have had quite a few enquiries about playing other gigs so hopefully we should have a small tour booked for later this year. I'll keep you up to date on this as the dates are confirmed.

Cheers

Philly

Westonbirt 2009

HI Folks

I'm safely back in the workshop following the Westonbirt show. Five days is a long time to be stood in a field.........;)

The show was great fun, and there were huge amounts of people milling about the place. There is so much to see, all tree related, and its such an inspiring place to hold a woodwork event.

It was great to meet so many people who read this blog - thanks for coming up and saying "Hi", it made my day. And I thought only my Mum read this blog........

I came home with two six foot lengths of Boxwood, saved from the firewood pile. I've broken it down into suitably sized billets and it should make some lovely planes in a few years.

There were plenty of woodworking superstars on hand - Rob Cosman, David Charlesworth, David Lloyd and many more. I particularly enjoyed watching carver Pascal (sorry I forget his full name) making piece after piece - he worked fast but made such beautifully detailed pieces. Very inspiring! And it was very interesting to watch Dovetail King Rob Cosman at work - he's changed his dovetail demo so that he cuts the complete joint in five minutes. Impressive to see him working so fast, while still making killer joints!

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this event is that the majority of the exhibitors camp together on-site. The organiser (a big thank you to Mike Hancock of Classic Hand Tools) arranges for a chef to come cater for the crew. Its a wonderful communal experience to eat, work and relax together. Although I would happily do without the rain next time ;)

So, I'm almost recovered fromt he show - it's incredible how drained you find yourself on returning home. I'm back in the workshop working on a jointer with a norris adjuster - pics soon.

Cheers

Philly