Hi Folks As you might of heard, we actually had some snow here in the UK. Needless to say, the country came to a standstill at the alien sight of few inches of white stuff. Here's a shot from the workshop - would of been more welcome at the end of December ;) You will be pleased to hear that the torrential rain has now washed away the snow and returned us to the traditional British Winter/Summer - delete as applicable :)
Shop Cat news!!!! Cupcake made a visit to the vet a couple weeks ago to ensure we don't get a house full of "Shop Kittens". She was recovering quite nicely until she decided to pull out her stitches - once we had recovered from the sight of a kitten with her insides dribbling out of her side (nice!!) we whisked her back to the vet for an emergency stitch-up. Her punishment was to wear a collar for 10 ten days - and she didn't like that one bit. But thankfully she has healed up nicely and was allowed to wander around "hat-less" today. One very happy puss!
I'm making the tote for a rather special smoother at the moment. Dovetailed brass sole, Blackwood, tote and Norris adjuster - should be pretty special. More pics soon....
Hi Folks As you probably know, I've been using a lot of Blackwood recently. Its an amazing timber - very dense, incredibly tough and, most of all, black! Here's some pics of a piece that I broke down into smaller slices today. It came from a plank of African Blackwood that had been cut through the centre of the tree, giving me a decent 3 inch thick plank of quartersawn material. But this plank had a hollow running up through the pith - and it was filled with a termites nest! The plank was filled with deep red soil, complete with tunnels. Nice....... :) I cut the plank into pieces to get the majority of the dirt out, but as you can see from the pics, not all of it. I'm using a special bandsaw blade called a M42. It has two sizes of teeth - a section of coarse teeth followed by a section of fine teeth. It cuts impressively well, leaving a very fine surface. The blade was originally designed for cutting metal so its no surprise it works so well on tough hardwoods! Its available from DragonSaws in South Wales.
To finish, I've just completed another Skew Miter. This one (yes, you guessed!) is on Blackwood. The customer is another victim of my trip to the USA last year :)
Hi Folks This week sees lots more black shavings and dust covering the workshop. Yes, more Blackwood planes...... :)
First up is a Skew Miter. I made one of these in Blackwood to take to the WIA show last November. It made quite an impression and I've had quite a few orders since. You really have to feel the weight of this beast to believe it!
Next is a toted smoother. I'm just waiting for the brass to be delivered for the sole and I can move on to the stage, but the stock has had the mouth cut and throat excavated, so the hard part is done. This plane will be featuring my take on the Norris adjuster, too, so I'm pretty excited about this one. More pics soon.....
The snow here in England has been a pleasant surprise. We've only had a few inches but that has caused the Country to fall into complete chaos - hilarious! And last night we had two power cuts - don't you love replying to emails and finding yourself sat in the dark all the sudden? Its that moment that you wish you had put the torch in a more accessable place...... ;)
Better get back in that workshop while the sun shines.......
Hi Folks Last week was a busy week - finished the Blackwood Fillister, amongst others. It was a lot of work, and chopping a 1/8th thick mortise by hand for the nicker iron was rather "exciting" in this hard timber, but it looks pretty awesome! I do hope the new owner is pleased with it.
Also visited a Friend who is a website building guru - a new "Philly Planes" website is under construction and will be unveiled soon!
Working on a Moving Fillister for a customer at the moment. African Blackwood was the timber choice (after seeing my Blackwood Skew Miter at WIA). I love the look of Blackwood - stunning figure and that "almost Ebony" colour. But it is seriously tough to work with. I reminds me more of stone than wood, chipping away bit by bit. And the weight - well, it's almost as dense as stone. Quite a shock the first time you pick a piece up ;)
But the plane is progressing well - spent yesterday making the metalwork. There's a fair bit involved, too - two blades, brass depth stop, depth stop cover and knurled brass knob. And the fence bolts and washers. Just got some wedge fitting left to do and then I can start polishing the beasty up - I think its going to be something special :) Cheers
HI Folks Been working with African Blackwood again this week. It is an amazingly dense timber (and I'm sure it smells like liquorice - but that might be an illusion) and has amazing grain. And its black! The downside is that it is a difficult timber to work. Very! To plane this without tear-out can be very taxing. I use a plane with a 60 degree pitch and sharpen the blade often to ensure the best possible cut. But even then, some areas just don't want to play. So out comes the scraper. I have a humble #80 (tuned up with a Hock blade) and it doesn't see a lot of use. But when you are backed into a corner it usually saves the day. It tamed this piece of Blackwood without raising a sweat. Only downside with the #80 is its short (read tiny!) sole. Guess I should add a scraper plane to my list of "Must Build" plane projects. Cheers
Yet another Shoulder plane leaves the 'Shop today. This one, destined for the Netherlands, is made from London Plane. I managed to get a group shot before it left - nice, huh? I do enjoy working with brass - it's soft enough not to cause too much sweat on the brow and polishes up a dream.
The next few planes on the bench are to be made from African Blackwood, an amazing timber. Better get that plane iron sharpened before I get stuck into stock preparation ;)
Hi Folks Here's one of my brass soled shoulder planes - this one from Ovangkol, a favourite timber of mine. It's once inch wide with a 55 degree bed. I've made a few rebate and shoulder planes out of just wood (o.k, I used metal for the blade.......). But the brass sole adds significant weight and this really helps in the work this plane is designed to do. After setting this plane up I was able to take fantastic end grain shavings from maple with no hassle - no mean feat.
This week has also seen more left handed planes being built. I have to constantly remind myself to check (and then double check!) I'm making a cut in the right direction. I've also got exciting news on the new 2009 "Philly" name stamp. Pics soon..... ;)
I've been busy working on a new toted smoother design. It's something I've had on the "To Do" list for quite some time and a customer has been chasing me to get it done. So here's the prototype.
Rosewood with a lignum vitae sole (the production model will have a brass sole, attached in the trademark Philly style). 50mm wide, 6mm thick O1 iron with brass screw cap. Pitch is 55 degrees. Oil and shellac finish. I'm also putting finihsing touches on my version of the Norris adjuster which will be available as an option.
The plane feels very natural to use. The Lignum sole is "interesting" - it is slippery and lubricates itself making for a very slick action. But I think the additional mass a brass sole will add will make for a better smoother.
I'll be starting on the first production model real soon - more pictures soon ;)
I've been asked if I make a hammer with a brass head instead of wood. This would be perfect for adjusting Infill and metal bodied planes to tweak the blade setting. So after much experimentation I present the Philly Brass Hammer.
The head is 19mm hexagonal shaped brass and the handle is shaped from mahogany. The head is fixed to the handle with ebony wedges. Weight is approximately 230 grams. The handle is finished with a coat of boiled linseed oil and shellac. And they're available now over at www.phillyplanes.co.uk
Hi Folks Another plane I finished this week was a tiny little rosewood plane suitable for an instrument maker. It's only three inches long and has a half inch wide iron. It's definitely a "one hand" plane and perfect for getting into tight spaces. It's amazing how much time it took to make (almost as long as a full size plane) - smaller doesn't necessarily mean quicker ;) Cheers Philly
Been building a lot of "cross-grain" planes the last few weeks. Dado, Fillister and dovetail planes, to be precise. Plane that are designed to cut across the the grain have different needs to planes that are designed to cut along the grain. First up is a skewed iron. This gives a slicing cut across the fibres and leaves a noticibly cleaner surface. It also makes a cool curly shaving, too ;) But the skewed iron rips the surface at either side of the cut - and badly! So this necessitates this second "cross-grain plane" feature....
The Nicker iron. This is placed ahead of the main iron and is situated on the outer edge of the plane (on a Fillister there is one, on a dado there are two). It slices the timber allows the plane to make clean, sharply defined cuts. Rather like scoring the workpiece with a marking knife.
The final feature is a fence. By having either a fixed or adjustable fence you define the width of cut the plane will make. And the skewed iron is usually set to pull the plane against the workpiece due to the cutting action. (Of course a dado plane, which cuts across the boards far from an edge, has no built-in fence. A batten is usually clamped across the workpiece to guide the plane).
So there you go - three features which allow a plane to make clean accurate cross grain cuts. They make a lot of extra work for the planemaker but the result is a unique plane.
Hope you all had a great Christmas - the dust has just about settled and the last of the relatives has hit the road here at Philly Central. December has been a pretty busy month (to top off a year of busy months!) but at last I've managed to sneak away for five minutes on the computer.
Over at UK Workshop forum I joined in on the "Secret Santa" gift swap. My pressie turned up a couple days before Xmas and I put it under the tree ready for the big day. And I was not dissapointed - on opening the box I found this little thing packed in amongst some shavings. It's a small rebate plane made from brass and steel, with a rosewood wedge. Needless to say, I couldn't believe my eyes! Many, many thanks to my Secret Santa (you know who you are, Aled Dafis!) for fantastic gift :)
Spent half a day cleaning up the workshop today - can't stand trying to work when the place is so untidy. The place looks a million times better now, so I may take some workshop photo's in the morning to share with you.
Having a busy month and can't believe where the time has gone. Feeling the cold in the workshop, too. How much frost??
Today was a big day - hairdresser day. And the mighty (some say mighty untidy) Philly hair has been shorn. Not totally, but quite severely. I won't post a picture as I don't want to put anyone off their dinner...... ;)
Was pleased to see myself mentioned over at the Lost Arts Press blog - John Hoffman and I got on famously at WIA. Looking forward to a repeat in 2009, John!
HI Folks And no, before you start panicking about the title, this post has no "New Yankee Workshop" content, so you can relax ;)
After all the excitement of WIA and the subsequent travel-tiredness, it's good to be "back-to-normal". Whatever that means.......? And that means I've been cleaning up the 'shop (I must really of been panicking before I left for WIA - the place was in a complete state) With the shop tidy I spent some time re-arranging the tool chest. Just to get into the swing of things. And of course, I've been playing with my new Veritas Premium block plane. What a beauty - I'm still gob-smacked by its beauty and performance. Man, I'm sad :)
Did a small upgrade on the new mill - a digital readout for the Z axis (that's "up and down" to us simple types). The stop system that the mill came with might of been good enough for a drill press but useless on a mill. My new DRO was pretty simple to fit and works a treat. Got me thinking about the X and Y axis now........
Been busy making planes this week and all the while planning a new smoother. A customer has asked for a toted version of the brass soled smoother - I'm making prototypes this weekend so will hopefully have something to show soon. And the adjuster mechanisms are slowly coming together - having to learn more and more metalwork skills. One day I might be quite handy - just not yet ;)
Chief Shopcat Cupcake has been good company this week - I was testing a moving fillister today and she was up on the bench playing with the shavings as they curled out of the plane - hilarious! Just need to teach her how to use a broom..........
Been reading the threads on Woodnet about the new Veritas dovetail saw - quite amusing! Rob Lee and Co. must be sat there with big smirks on their faces! Amazing the emotion a new design can raise - I pretty sure Folks will be won over when they get to play with one, though. And that is a crucial thing - getting tools into peoples hands to try. It completely changes (or re-inforces) any preconceptions you may of held. And it's why I attended tool shows this year - and will be at many more next year! So please - if you see me at an event don't hesitate to come over and say "hi". Even if you hate wooden planes ;)
HI Folks I thought you'd like a break from woodworking talk and be interested in another aspect of my trip to Kentucky. After the days show was complete there was a reception held every evening in the Boone Tavern. An hour or so of smoozing and rubbing shoulders with the stars, and it was time to return to the hotel and grab a few hours respite, ready for the next day. At least, if you were smart that's what you'd do......;)
We'd been notified that Berea was a "Dry County", something unheard of in the UK. I talked to quite a few different sources to find out what that meant exactly - and I didn't really get to the bottom of it. But basically, no bars, pubs or off-licenses. Thankfully, we were staying in a hotel a few miles north of Berea in a town called Richmond. This,we discovered, was just over the border in the next county. And that one was wet :)
Earlier in the year, Bryan Boggs came over to West Dean in the UK to teach. In the evenings we all went out to local pubs to show him how we do beer in the UK. And in Berea, Bryan was kind enough to reciprocate - he insisted he took us (Mike Hancock, Michel Auriou and myself) out for "Fish and Chips" and a "Pint". What could we say?
So we end up in an Irish bar called the "Paddy Wagon", and yes, we did have fish and chips (of a sort) and a pint. They had a good selection of beers from all around the world so we were very comfortable. Later that evening other exhibitors arrived and our table got rather big - Adam Cherubini and his assistant David, Tom Lie-Nielsen and crew, John Economaki and his assistant Mike, John Hoffman of Lost Arts Press, and finally, the Pop Wood crew. So, yes, I was a pig in "mud" (or insert own phrase here!). And there was band playing (with a bagpipe player!!!??) to fill out the evening. I was exhausted from jet lag but it was a surreal evening for me :)
Now most people would leave it there, but oh no. We returned the following evening for a little more - and to try out the pool tables. By the time we got to the bar (we'd stopped for some food en-route) most of the folks we were going to meet there had gone. But it didn't stop us - and we had Konrad Sauer along for a little extra support. This evening didn't end until 1:30am......and we had to be "open for business" at the event at 7am. Not too clever - but a lot of fun ;) and there was another band on that evening that truly kicked butt - kinda like Govt Mule if you like that kind stuff! Needless to say, the final evening we managed to make out way back there for one more. Yet another band was on (five guys playing bluegrass) and we took advantage of their wide range of beverages and deep fried chillies. And we played pool yet again...apologies Bryan for thrashing you on your home turf ;)
So -if you are in Richmond, KY, you owe yourself to pop into the finest bar in town. We'll be back ;) Philly
I had the honour of being invited to the above conference in Berea, Kentucky. It was a “hand tools only” event which featured the top toolmakers from around the world (plus myself). It also featured training sessions on various skills (sharpening, planing, etc) as well as Q+A sessions with tool manufacturers on different aspects of tool design and use. This was the first of this kind of event held in the US, and it sold out almost immediately to 300 lucky attendees.
The list of woodworking celebrities was long – here’s a quick attempt and in no particular order (apologies to any I’ve missed)
·Mike Dunbar
·Rob Lee
·Roy Underhill
·Tom Lie-Nielsen
·Frank Klaus
·Michel Auriou
·Larry Clark and Don McConnell
·Jim Leamy
·Dave Jeske
·Kevin Drake
·Mike Wenzloff
·Konrad Sauer
·Chris Schwarz
·John Economaki
·Adam Cherubini
·Ron Hock
·Gary Blum
·Ron Brese
·Bob
·Chris Vesper
·Joel Moskovich
·Clarence Blanchard
·Don Weber
There was a real buzz in the air on the first day as the eager attendees turned up early to get started. The second day we actually came to open up early as so many people turned up early to get in – a decision that hung-over exhibitors were overjoyed about ;) But it was an extremely enjoyable event – I never saw anyone who wasn’t wearing a silly grin throughout the whole three days of the event.
New Tools – Lee Valley had an interesting new dovetail saw on display featuring a very modern design. It feels very comfortable to use and I have one with me to play with – review ASAP. I also had a sneak preview of an exciting new plane from Veritas. I have been sworn to secrecy but can tell you this – it is breathtakingly pretty and I want one!!!!
Lie-Nielsen were also showing some new products – tongue and groove planes, a panel saw, hammers, corner chisels. I could never get close enough to take a picture but these lines should be available before Xmas.
One of the highlights of the show for me was the openness of all the exhibitors to talk and share- I spent way too much time chatting with Lee Valley crew (these guys know they have the best job in the world and it really shows!), Ron Brese, Bob K, Ron Hock, Adam Cherubini, Jim Leamy and, for me the highlight, Larry Williams and Don McConnell of Clark and Williams fame. As a wooden planemaker, to spend hours talking to these two extremely knowledgable, skilled and passionate men was worth the cost of making the trip – I was in plane heaven!
Chris Schwarz was seen hovering over the proceedings and was working incredibly hard to ensure the show was a success. I heard him say he had only 12 hours sleep over the three days, and I can believe it. Thanks for all your hard work Chris – it certainly was worth it and you should be proud.
John Hoffman of Lost Arts Presswas often close by to ensure I had a beer in my hand and knew where the nearest Mexican restaurant was located – cheers John, look forward to the next time!
I also met a fair few of the Woodworking bloggers throughout the show like Matt (Matts Basement), Kari (Village Carpenter) and Mitch (furnitude). I fear there may be a few embarrassing photo’s hitting the web soon………
Finally, I would like to thank the Popular Woodworking crew for putting on such an excellent event and to all the staff and attendees for their warm, enthusiastic welcome – it was truly a pleasure.
HI Folks Made it back home safely and have got a few hours sleep. Still have a grin on my face from woodwork overload, but it was well worth the trip. I wanted to thank everyone who made my visit such a pleasure for their warm welcome - it was great to meet so many people I knew only from emails and forum posts in the flesh! Give me a few hours to sort out some photo's and I'll post a report. Cheers Philly
Howdy Folks Day two is over - and what an amazing day it was! Everyone is walking around wearing huge grins, woodworkers in heaven. The day started extra early, 7-o-clock, as the attendees asked for extra time. I managed to get a good walk around and get a chat with pretty much everyone. The list of woodworking superstars was huge and the willingness of everyone to stop and share was quite amazing - there really was a huge buzz of excitement in the air. I had a quick lunch (with Mike Dunbar, Adam Cherubini, Louis from Pop Wood and Ron Hock - see, told you the list was long) then helped out on the sharpening class with Deneb (from Lie-Nelsen) and Ron Hock. Back to the show for more plane action and finally the day was over. There was a final dinner in the evening which everyone attended and we heard from Tom Lie-Nielsen, Robin Lee, the Pop Wood crew and finally, Roy Underhill. Roys empassioned speech was quite hilarious - I do hope someone videod it, as it was brilliant! Today sees the marketplace closed, so I am helping out on the Hand Planing class this morning. Then we have to head back to the airport for the long trip home. Boy, it has been an amazing experience. Once my head stops spinning I'll post more photo's. Cheers Philly
HI Folks Well I'm here. After a long and slightly painful journey I arrived in Lexington, KY - it was real late, thanks to a missed connecting flight. So I stopped at a local hotel for the night before heading down the next morning to Berea. The first day was spent talking. No real surprise, as you know what I'm like. A good few hours (and lunch) was spent with Larry Williams and Don McConnell - It was a great pleasure to chat with two giants of the planemaking world! Later on Mike Wenzloff and his lovely wife Dina arrived and we set up the benchs ready for the next day. The evening was spent with Brian Boggs, Michel Auriou and Mike Hancock - Brian said he knew a great place for "fish and chips". So we ended up in a Irish pub - and a great night it turned out to be. TLN, Deneb and crew turned up, John Econmaki and crew and the Pop Wood crew also turned up as the night went by. It was spoiled only bag-pipes. No, don't ask ;) Today was the first day of the show - the atmosphere was electric! Everyone was beaming and it was such an amazing day. I'm almost hoarse from talking to people so another hour and I'll be off for a cold drink. Thanks to everyone that called by to say hello - I never knew so many people read this blog :) 'Til tomorrow, Philly
HI Folks Thought I'd show you some more pictures before I disappear. The Skew Miter looks pretty cool - out of direct light (I've got two lamps shining on it in these photo's) it looks black. Kind of a stealth fighter look ;) The smoother and shoulder planes look pretty handsome, too. You really can't beat the combination of brass, steel and exotic timbers.
Hi Folks Just finished in the workshop - I'm finally happy with the planes I've made for the Kentucky show. Amazing how much work goes into a plane. The initial work goes quickly but the finishing details and tuning takes easily as long again. Then after a few days the plane needs another fettle once it has settled down. The Blackwood Miter plane looks awesome - I'll take some "studio" shots tomorrow. That wood is just spectacular, and I'm already worrying about obtaining some more. The sheer weight of it is shocking - this is one plane that definitely doesn't need a brass sole! And it always amuses me the way the shavings curl out of a skew plane :) Tomorrow will see me packing and panicking (probably in that order). Can't wait to get to the US, though. Cheers Philly
Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........! Only two more days left before I hit the road. Where does the time go??? Been putting the final polish on my new prototype brass soled smoother. What do you think? Made from Indonesian Rosewood and lots of brass, with a 4mm thick 40mm wide iron, she works excellently. And of course, the "Philly Patent Dovetailed Sole". The sheer weight of the thing means you only have to push it - it holds itself on the work by itself. Need to get the thing on the scales and check out its weight - I'm pretty sure it matches an infill for heft. I still have some finishing touches to put on the skew miter and tomorrow should see me close to complete. I then have Tuesday to panic and start running around like a headless chicken. Back to the workshop.... Philly
Hi Folks Built a second, larger, version of my new shoulder plane. This one is 25mm wide and is in Pau Rosa, a favourite timber of mine. I scaled the dimensions up a little and I'm pretty pleased with the way the two planes have come out. Look forward to giving them some serious use.
Another plane on the bench at the moment is this........... A Skew Miter plane in African Blackwood. I have to tell you - Blackwood has now moved into my Top 5 Timbers. An amazing wood - very, very heavy, and planes like marble. Plane irons last only a few shacings before the edge begins to break down, but boy, is it worth it. The timber looks amazing! I'll make the iron and wedge and get some more photo's.
Hi Folks Right - I promised some pictures. This is the prototype of my shoulder plane design. It's made from Rosewood and brass, with the sole fixed to the body with a sliding dovetail. In use the plane is very comfortable and has a good weight to it - I'm very pleased! I am about to make two more, one 3/4 inch wide in African Blackwood , the other 1 1/4 wide in Pau Rosa. They should be ready by the end of the week, and I hope to take them to Kentucky with me to get some feedback on the design. Back to the workshop...... Philly
Hi Folks For quite some time I've been working on a shoulder plane design. I know when it comes to planes you are re-inventing the wheel, but I really want to make a plane that I am proud of - and that is visually identifiable as a "Philly Plane". I have plenty of sketch pads full of drawings and ideas. But I really can't "see" a design until I get to hold it in my hands - a potentially time consuming affair, especially as so many designs just don't work once they become "3D". So I have started to make mock-ups from scrap timber - they take minutes to produce, thanks to the bandsaw, scroll saw and sander. And you can instantly tell if you like the design - it is immediately obvious to the eye and hand. So I have a growing pile of shoulder plane ideas, rendered in wood. And after much work, I have arrived at a design I am happy with. The finish is still drying on the prototype, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for a photo. But I have attached a picture of some of my mock-ups - hopefully, this will inspire some of you to try this approach. It also works well with furniture designs - a hot glue gun and some offcuts will soon help you see your design in the flesh. Cheers Philly
