Taths

Hi Folks

A few updates from the workshop...... I've been busy building planes, lots of lovely planes heading out to new owners around the world. Here are a few pics of what I've been up to....

Money....with the British Pound currently weak this is good news for buyers in the USA and around the world. My planes are now even more affordable and if you've been thinking of ordering a plane then now is a great time as it means you are getting almost a 20% discount at the moment. Take advantage while you can :)

I gave a talk at the TATHS (Tools And Trades History Society)  winter meet this Sunday on making traditional wooden planes - its was well received and it was great to meet up with like minded souls! Please check out their website for more details at  taths.org.uk - their museum at Amberley is well worth a visit!

Back to the bench.....

Cheers

Phil

Summertime.....

Hi Folks
I thought you might want to see some of the interesting planes that have been coming out of the workshop in recent weeks. It's hot here as Summer hits home but that doesn't stop me making planes!

First up is the Small Plow plane. This is a very useful tool, one I used to make a lot of a few years ago. So it's now back on the website as a standard production model.

Next up is the Side Bead - this is a very popular plane so I have added some extra sizes. It's now available in 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" so there's one to suit work of any scale.

I've recently completed a Try plane and Coffin Smoother for a customer in Sweden. He wanted to have both planes upgraded with 6mm thick irons over the "standard" 4mm - I was happy to oblige and they turned out great! I make all planes to order so it's easy for me to customise them to your particular needs - just drop me an email!

Finally something quite special. A Smoothing plane with tote, brass lever cap, 6mm thick high carbon steel Iron and a super tough Partridge wood dovetailed sole. Long time readers may well recognise this plane as I used to make something similar years ago and a customer has been chasing me to build one for him - voila!

So there you go, a small selection of the planes that have been heading out of the workshop. With the recent Brexit worries the British Pound has been hit making this a great time for customers from around the world to purchase a plane from me at an even better price than usual - drop me an email at phillyplanes@gmail.com to discuss your needs.

Cheers

Phil

Furniture And Cabinetmaking Profile

Hi Folks
I was very pleased to be featured in the April 2016 issue of Furniture And Cabinetmaking magazine (that's issue 243). Jim Hooker did an excellent job writing an insightful article on my journey on the road of plane making. I hope you enjoy it!

Cheers

Philly

Books.....

Hi Folks
New to the website is the bookshop - I have a good collection of classic woodworking books, some pretty rare, that I am offering for sale. Check out this page for the list of titles - they are all in excellent condition (most like new) and if you need further information on a title just email me for more information.
Happy woodworking,
Philly

http://www.phillyplanes.co.uk/bookshop.html

Update

Hi Folks

I thought a little update to this blog would be useful, the last one being in June. Please don't read that to mean I'm not doing much - in fact, it's the opposite! Things here at Philly Planes have been growing year by year and now, nine years in on my planemaking things are as busy as I could ever have asked for! Orders keep coming in, from customers new and old and I feel honoured to be able to get in the workshop each day and do what I enjoy - making wooden planes!

I've got a couple of new models in the pipeline, although the release date of these depends on how much I can accomplish in my spare time. I've also added a couple of extra sizes to the Side Beads, making that four sizes available now.

This Blog - I find it difficult to sit and write useful content at the end of the day (due to brain fatigue) and have found myself swayed by the ease and immediacy of Instagram and Facebook. Instagram means I can share photo's of what's happening on my bench day by day  - I thoroughly recommend installing this on your phone. There is a huge woodworking community on there and it's simple to get started.

I've made some small updates to the Phillyplanes website - if anyone finds any obvious issues I would appreciate if you could let me know.

2015 has been a great year and I've been able to make a trip to the USA to meet many of my woodworking friends and customers. Woodworking shows are a great opportunity for me to meet customers in the flesh and I hope to get to more shows far and wide in 2016.

Time to get back to the workbench,

Cheers

Philly

Free Shipping Offer

Hi Folks
This week finds me in the best of moods - it's my birthday, the sun is shining and it's Father's Day! So to pass on the good vibes I'm offering free shipping anywhere in the world on my latest batch of Rosewood Superior Marking gauges. I also have a new batch of Tapered 2" Bench Plane Irons ready to go - these too are offered with free shipping anywhere until this batch is gone.
So get them before they go - strictly first come, first served! Email me at phillyplanes@gmail.com to order.

Cheers
Phil

Instagram

Hi Folks
I'm back in the workshop following our trip to Handworks 2015 (post to follow with the juicy details!). One thing I have been told to get involved with is Instagram so I now have my own little page where I can post photo's on a regular basis. If you use Instagram do follow me and let me know whatever noobish stuff I'm doing wrong ;)
Cheers
Phil

Gauge Your Reaction...

Hi Folks
I'm deep in preparations for my trip to the US for the Handworks show in Iowa. I'm incredibly excited about this one - all the hand tool makers of the Western world will be there. So I'm buzzed about meeting up with old friends and meeting people I've only communicated with via email. It should be quite something!

So a quick photo of some of some of the stock I've been preparing. These are the biggest batch of the Superior Marking Gauge we've built to date - a mix of Rosewood, Pear, Birdseye Maple, Wenge, Goncalo Alves and Box wood. The response to the new gauge has been brilliant, with many happy users reporting back how pleased they are with it. Having one gauge that will take a pin, knife and pencil makes for versatile layout tool that you will always find yourself reaching for.

Cheers
Philly

Show Time

Hi Folks
We've been busy busy busy here at the workshop with a steady stream of planes heading out the door. We've also had a huge response to the new Superior Marking Gauge which has been well received!
April sees me at the Yandles Woodworking Show in Somerset - I'll be there with Classic Hand Tools and will be demonstrating my traditional plane making. Over the two days I intend to make a couple of planes so do drop by and take a look!
And May sees us going international - we be at the Handworks 2015 show in Iowa, USA.This should be an amazing event - the Studley tool chest and bench will be on display, a not to be missed occasion! And pretty much all the hand tool makers in the world will be there showing off their wares - I am so looking forward to this one.
Cheers
Philly

Working Wood Vol 3

Hi Folks
Something I've been involved with over the last year or so is the latest volume of "Working Wood" by Artisan  Media. I bumped into Dave and Simon at the last "European Woodworking Show" and I obviously made the right impression on them. I've been involved with the chapters on wooden planes, it being my area of expertise, and as a general sounding board - it's been a real pleasure to have been a part of things in a small way.

Now I've finally got a copy of the book in my hands I'm extremely impressed with it - the photography is quite wonderful and the book is laid out gloriously. And Simon has done a wonderful job of putting over so much information in such an accessible way - the book is truly impressive!
This volume covers the workshop and the more advanced hand tools and jigs, as well as how to sharpen and maintain these. There is a huge amount of tricks and tips and the beautiful photography clearly compliments the text. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book!
As a final treat I was asked to write the foreword - there's even one or two photo's of me strategically placed throughout the book. You have been warned ;)
Available direct and from Classic Hand Tools in the UK.
Cheers
Philly

Rosewood Delight

Hi Folks
Had some interesting planes on the bench these last few weeks - first up, a Toted Smoother in Rosewood. The Rosewood really sets this plane off!

Other news - the Superior Marking Gauges have been a great success! All the early runs have gone and the introductory offer is now over - regular price is £89.99. We have just completed the next production run and have gauges ready to ship!

 More news soon....

Philly

Superior Marking Gauge

Hi Folks
A project I've been working on over the last couple of years has been a traditional marking gauge, one that incorporates all the details that I like in a gauge. I've made numerous prototypes and have dragged them round the woodwork shows and shown them to many people for feedback. I'm pleased to say that I am finally completely happy with the design (and manufacturing!) and can finally reveal the beasty in all its true glory - the Superior Marking Gauge!

The initial batch has been made from my stash of Rosewood - combined with brass and steel it looks timeless and glorious and hits all the woodworking "ooh" spots. It has a few tricks up its sleeve. It comes with a pin for everyday marking out, the wide face of the gauge giving plenty of bearing surface to work against. I also like a knife or cutting gauge when working across the grain and when working with veneered pieces so you can swap the pin out for the supplied knife. And finally, a pencil gauge is great for when you want a legible mark without actually damaging the surface - swap ends on the shaft of the gauge and it becomes a pencil gauge.

One other detail that has annoyed me on other gauges I own and have tried is the locking mechanism. You want to be able to lock the gauge off firmly but also to be able to adjust it easily and accurately. My patent pending mechanism makes this a pleasure to do and there is no separate "foot" to loose if you dissemble the gauge.

The gauge is priced at £89.99 plus shipping - drop me an email at phillyplanes@gmail.com to place an order.

Cheers
Phil

Magma Show in Austria

Hi Folks
I will be at the Magma International Open days in Austria from the 26th to 28th of September building planes - if you are in the neighbourhood please call by and say "hi". There are going to be some amazing craftsmen demonstrating their skills from all around the world so it should be a fantastic event!

Cheers
Philly

Podcast

Hi Folks
I recently had a long conversation on planes, plane making and how I got started with Cory Mickelson of the "Craftman's Road" site. He has put this together as a podcast and it is now available to listen to here..
Hope this may be of interest to some,
Cheers
Phil

Tapered Plane Irons Pricing

Hi Folks
I've had a lot of interest in the Tapered irons mentioned in the last entry so have added a page to the Philly Planes website with more information and pricing details. Email me if you are interested - I can make them in pretty much any size!
Back to the bench,
Philly

Tapered Irons!

Hi Folks
Here at the workshop I get asked a lot about tapered irons. It's pretty much impossible to buy a new iron suitable for a bench plane that is tapered like the old ones. So we've bit the bullet and purchased the necessary equipment and after a certain amount of experimentation we are now happy to offer for sale our very own "Tapered Plane Irons".

They are made from O1 high carbon steel (as are all our irons) and are available initially in 40mm and 50mm widths (approximately 1 1/2" and 2"). They come ground with a 25 degree primary bevel and are surface ground to a fine finish.

We can also taper grind irons for moulding planes and rebates - just send us an email with your requirements at phillyplanes@gmail.com

Cheers
Philly

Hand Works 2015

Hi Folks

I know it's a little way off yet but I'm really excited to be attending the Hand Works show next May in Amana, Iowa in the USA! It is a hand tool only event featuring the best hand tool makers and manufacturers from around the world. More details are available here....  Hand Works 2015

As an added bonus they are exhibiting the amazing Studley Tool Chest and Workbench - if you've never heard of this check it out here, its truly an amazing piece and I can't wait to see it. Extra memory cards for the camera are being ordered right now..... ;)

I'll have more details as we get nearer,

Cheers

Philly

Moulding Planes and Associated Things....

Hi Folks

Been pretty crazy here at the Philly Planes Workshop - we took delivery of a trees worth of quarter sawn Beech last week! There are planks of it everywhere and I've spent hours breaking it down into plane sized billets. Every nook and cranny of the 'shop has blocks of Beech  pushed into it!
Why have I bought so much? It is extremely difficult to find quartered stock (which is vital for wooden planes as it means the stock expands and contracts side to side - this means the wedge angle never varies throughout the year so your plane performs happily). I spend an inordinate amount of time searching for timber and always have the "I don't have enough wood" feeling breathing down my neck. So we have bought a Beech tree and had it cut exactly how we wanted - problem solved!

I do get a lot of enquiries about buying blanks from customers who want to have a go at making their own planes. I am now in a position to be able to say "yes" to these requests, so drop me an email if you are interested - if there is enough interest I may offer them for sale on the website.

Back to the bench....

Philly

Yandles Show

Hi Folks
I'll be attending the Yandles Spring Woodworking Show in Martock, Somerset  (near Yeovil) this coming weekend (Friday 11th and Saturday 12th April). It's a great show to visit (especially as its free entry and parking) and it is set in the grounds of a real working sawmill, so there is lots of interesting stuff to see as well as the tools! I'll be on the Classic Hand Tools stand so do drop by for a chat if you are attending.

News......I have a new apprentice! Steve has been helping me out over the years on the occasional project (as well as being a friend for twenty something years!) and has a skill set which meshes nicely with my own. He will be taking on stock preparation and milling up irons to allow me to catch up a little with the order list. We hope to introduce some exciting new products and planes in the coming year and I am genuinely excited at the prospect of having someone to work alongside me - sometimes even I get board of talking to myself ;)

Planes...you may have noticed that some more planes have been added to the site. I now offer the Fore plane and Try plane as standard items, both excellent planes for the preparation and truing of timber. And I have also added the Dovetail plane as a standard item - this is for cutting the male part of sliding dovetails and features adjustable fences to allow a wide variety of sizes to be cut.

Back to the bench....

Philly

New Stuff.....

Hi Folks
A long overdue blog update! My apologies for this, if I'm not blogging its because I'm making lots of planes :)
I have lots of news which I'll blog about as the week goes by, but first up is the website. I have added some new models (the Try, Fore and Sliding Dovetail planes) and updated a few articles. I'm also offering my standard plane irons for sale to you keen woodworkers who want to have a go at making your own planes.

Other news.....I had an accident on the band saw in December, injuring the index finger of my left hand. Thankfully there has been no serious damage and I am now back to full use of my hand. We have all read about other woodworkers having accidents and when it happens to you it is quite a shock - needless to say, making sure you keep the guards safely in position and not working when you are tired, ill or a combination of both is extremely important for your safety. Don't take the risk, it truly is not worth it!!!!!

It is so nice to start the New Year with lots of orders to get stuck into - 2013 was a fantastic year for us and I intend to make 2014 even better. Stay tuned!

Cheers
Philly