Christmas is Coming.....

Hi Folks

Been crazy busy here at Philly Towers - lots or orders coming in and plenty on the go. Some times there really aren't enough hours in the day, but it sure beats being quiet! I realised I haven't updated the blog for a while and the guilt has been weighing me down ;)

I recently was demonstrating at the Harrogate "North Of England Woodworking Show" and shared the bench with woodworking teacher Paul Sellers. It was very enjoyable watching him work - he has a down-to-earth, honest approach to woodworking. No special tools or jigs, just straightforward time-honoured ways to work. I fully recommend you check out his website, especially his blog - he offers hands-on training courses and also books and dvd's.



I am putting the finishing touches on a half set of Hollow and Rounds at the moment - these planes are a blast to use and it's amazing the variety of shapes you can unlease with just a few sets. On my site I offer two sizes to get you started but I can build any size you desire - just email me for more information.



Finally - a chamfer plane made from English Box. This plane is so useful and remarkably easy to use. This is the only one I've made from Box, and it really suits it.

So - back to the bench.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas,

Philly

European Woodworking Show

Hi Folks

This weekend it's time for the European Woodworking Show, without doubt the best woodworking event in the UK (and Europe!). I'll be there showing my wares as well as demonstrating Lie-Nielsen tools so do make sure you pop by the bench and say "hi!".

The show is held in a wonderful setting at Cressing Temple, Braintree, Essex - there are two massive timber frame barns and beautiful surroundings. This is the third year of this show and there are some the best craftsmen and demonstrators from around the world attending - don't miss it!

Cheers

Philly

Happy Anniversary!

Hi Folks
This month marks an important date for me - it is five years since I launched Philly Planes! It has been an exciting journey so far (especially in this finacially troubled world) but I'm pleased to say that we are busier than we've ever been! So I just wanted to thank all my customers past and present for their support and business over these past five years - I couldn't have done it without you!

This weekend I will be at the Yandles Woodworking Show near Yeovil - I'll be bringing along a new Toted Smoother for customers to try out. I really like this plane and I look forward to hearing peoples responses to it after they've had a go. So if you are attending do pop by and say "Hi" - I'll be on the Classic Hand Tools stand.


Finally, a couple of pictures of smoothers that have left the shop recently. One in Box (with some amazing figure!) and one in Blackwood.

Cheers
Philly

Website Back And Lefties...

Hi Folks
After a short absence the Phillyplanes Website is back up - we've had a small series of disasters (hacked site, broken server, holidays...) which meant the site was offline for over a week. I'm pleased to say we are back up and running and I've taken steps to ensure it should not happen again. Thanks for your patience!

The new "Toted Smoother" is available on the website and we also pleased to offer our "Moving Fillister" plane in a left-handed model at no additional charge. Please drop me an email if this interests you.

Cheers
Philly

Web Site Problem

Hi Folks

I'm having web site problems at the moment - they are being resolved as we speak and the site should be back ASAP. Otherwise things are business as usual and I am beavering away in the workshop on yet more planes - please email me if you have any questions while the web issue it sorted.

Cheers

Philly

New Plane - Toted Smoother

Hi Folks
A plane I get asked for a lot is a Smoother with a handle. Over the years I've made a few for customers and a few for myself, trying out different styles. I am pleased to say I am finally happy with the shape and feel of the plane, so let me introduce the new Philly Planes "Toted Smoother".

I am offering this plane in two timbers - Goncalo Alves (as in the pictures) and traditional quartersawn English Beech. It has a 50mm wide iron, a chunky 4mm thick from O1 high carbon steel. The plane has a 50 degree pitch and, combined with a tight mouth and that lovely thick iron, makes for effortless smoothing. The Tote is extremely comfortable to hold and makes planing for extended periods a cinch.

The plane also features a rosewood strike button. As well as looking extemely handsome, this button is essential for releasing the wedge and adjusting the plane - without it you would need to tap the rear of the tote with a hammer. Instead the strike button takes all the wear.


A wooden smoothing is a fairly rare beast and I hope this model will appeal to users who maybe are used to using metal planes - the grip will feel instantly familiar. The plane will be appearing on the website in the next day or so - you can email me direct if you are interested in purchasing one. The price will be £230.00 plus shipping.

Cheers
Philly

Small Planes

Hi Folks

I recently had a commission for a pretty unique plane - a Classic Smoother in African Blackwood. But half size! No big deal you may think, but it was quite a challenge. I have made a good selection of specialised tools for making planes but most were too big to use on this plane. So I ended up making yet more tools. And I often mutter to myself when working down in the throat of a plane how little space there is to work - with this plane there was even less!

But she came out well and the customer was very pleased - it now lives with in his collection of special planes.

Cheers

Philly

Long Planes....

Hi Folks
Bench planes work best as a team - using a smoother to do all your planing work is not the most efficient way to work. A Jack plane will bring a rough board quickly into a workable state, ready to be made "tried and true" with a Try plane. The Try plane (or Jointer) has the longest sole of all bech planes and excels at making surfaces and edges flat and straight. The longer the sole, the truer it will plane. Even if you use machines to prepare your timber you will be surprised just how far from true those boards can be - a quick swipe with a Try plane will reveal the truth!
We had a quite a few long planes leaving the workshop over the last few months, some 30 inches long. That's longer than a #8! We are also able to customise planes to your intended purpose, so high/low pitch angles, different blade widths, timber choices and even 18 Century features like offset totes are available - you have only to ask.

Back to the bench....
Philly

High Angle Planes

Hi Folks
When it comes to working timber with difficult grain (and it's always the pretty timbers that are the hardest to work!) a sharp iron and a tight mouth sometimes isn't enough. And that's when a high angle plane makes all the difference. My "Coffin Smoother" plane is bedded at 55 degrees - this is a great angle for a smoother as it has a positive effect on tear-out but is still pretty easy to push. But the toughest timbers sometimes need more and 60 degrees is what you need.
A customer asked for a pair of planes with 60 degree beds, a smoother and a Try plane. The smoother (above) is made from English Box, a very slow growing and dense timber. Box was used for the finest grade planes and tools in days past and I was pleased to be able to make this plane from this wonderful timber.
The second plane is an 18 inch Try plane in Goncalo Alves and this is an excellent tool to compliment the Smoother. The longer sole allows you to easily flatten boards, and, as the plane has the high angle bed, tear-out is not an issue.


Cheers
Philly

Les Paul...

Hi Folks

As most of you know I play guitar as well as make planes. Being a woodworker who plays guitar, the first thing people say is "have you made your own guitar?" and over the last year I have finally been making a guitar or two for my own enjoyment, not just to be able to answer "Yes" to the question ;)

This week I have completed a guitar I've always lusted after - a classic cherry sunburst Les Paul. I think it came out rather well for a humble planemaker - I won't give up the day job just yet, though.

By the way, what do you think of the headstock logo?

Cheers

Philly

Custom Planes For Custom Furniture?

Following on from the last blog entry about customising a plane order, a recent customer wanted a Moulding plane of a specific (non-standard) size for a commision he was building. Joel Marshall is a furniture maker in Bristol and was working on a design for a coffee table. The design (see below) has radiused corners as a feature and he contacted me about building a plane to make it possible to cut these curves by hand. I was quite happy to do this and he in turn told his customer he was getting a traditional hand plane made specifically to build their table - the customer was very pleased about this!


As you can see, the table came out beautifully, a testament to Joel's skills. You can see more of his work on his website, here.

Philly

Left Hooker

Hi Folks
I often get asked to make small customisations to planes when customers are placing an order. One I occasionally get is "can you make it left handed?", and the answer is "Yes!". As I make each plane one at a time its not exactly a problem to make these changes, although making a left handed plane does involve me being extra vigilent - it's way too easy to make cuts on the wrong side or wrong direction. Each operation has to be checked and double checked to make sure its properly oriented, especially on a skewed iron plane like this Fillister. It's also quite funny watching me test drive a left handed plane (although I am becoming slowly ambidextrous)
So here we have a perfect example of a custom order. A Moving Fillister plane, but made from Rosewood. And left handed, off course!

Cheers,

Philly

And Then...

Hi Folks
Here's another couple of planes for your enjoyment. First up a Moulding plane.
This one was a commission for a furniture maker who was asked to make a piece for a customer with a 20mm radius on the edges - I was happy to make a 20mm radius Moulding plane for him to do this, making for a happy customer.

Next is a Coffin Smoother in Beech - I'm really pleased with the shape and proportions of my smoother. It's very comfortable in the hand and allows you to grip it in many different ways, something that isn't possible with planes that have handles. And the traditional choice of Beech makes for a handsome plane!

On the bench is something in Rosewood. Pics soon!

Cheers

Philly

P.s. - The title refers to a scene from one of my favourite films, "Dude, Where's My Car". Chinese takeout anyone?

First Out The Door..

HI Folks

The first planes of the year are on their way - a Miter Plane and a Panel Raiser.

The Miter Plane was one of my first models, and I've subtly tweaked its styling over the years. It's a low angle plane with its iron seated bevel down at 38 degrees. This is 7 degrees lower than a standard bench plane and makes a significant difference when planing end grain, a job this plane was designed for. Its big sides have a large footprint when using it on the shooting board, making it very stable. And the monster 6mm thick iron adds some real heft to the plane!

The Panel Raiser is a very tricky plane to make due to its skewed iron and profiled sole. I've made a few over the years and always look forward to the task - it makes for a very special plane. And to make your own raised panels without the danger of spindle moulders or large router bits flying about makes a lot of sense
!

Back to the bench.....

Philly

New Year

Hi Folks

A Happy New Year to you all! Can't believe I've been so behind with my blog - needless to say my resolution is to remedy that! 2010 was a very busy year for me, even though the world seemed to have closed down with financial shock. Hopefully we are on the road to recovery and 2011 will be a much more positive year.

So - to begin the year a video interview with your truly. Many thanks to Tom Sustins from "The Wood Haven" forum for coming down to see me at the workshop and taping this interview. There is also a 'shop tour and some helpful tips and hints which will be coming up soon in additional clips. It's well worth taking a look at the Wood Haven forum - a very welcoming place and a hive of shared knowledge.

I have some new plane models in the pipeline and these will be introduced in the coming weeks - more news soon!

Cheers

Philly