Plane and Simple....

Hi Folks
Friday at last!!
Well this week has been busy, and it certainly is good to be busy when you have to pay the mortgage. You'll also be pleased to hear I managed to spend a little time in the workshop today, too.
First things first - the drawer bottom plane. Done, tested, happy. Some pretty pictures here for you. Made from steamed pear and with an adjustable fence this plane is a copy of one I picked up a while ago. It is a fun plane to use (although it would be better with nickers - cue the MK II version) and so simple its a joy. This one is off to a friend again so I'd better get some more pictures for posterity. ;)

Glued up the remaining bits and pieces of my fluted table. With luck tomorrow will see me gluing the table together leaving just the drawer to complete. I can't wait to get the oil out for this one!
So the weekend is here - enjoy!
Cheers
Phil

'Shop Time

Hi Folks
It’s been one of those months…....I get to spend lots of time in my workshop making things, having a great time and just enjoying woodwork. But that has been because my day job has been very quiet. And of course, when the day job is quiet you then spend most of the time worrying about the mortgage payment.
The last week has been the opposite – work is now in overdrive and ‘shop time has been minim al (especially as I’m fried when I get home). But hey, at least I know the mortgage payment is covered…..;)
I think somewhere inbetween would be good, so if the ‘ShopGods are listening…...... :)

Managed to work a bit on the table project. It is ready to be glued up and I am about to start work on the drawer. I have ordered some clever Blum drawer glides that should add a touch of class to the project – more details as it comes together!
Work is almost complete on another plane, too. This one is a plane to make grooves for drawer bottoms. It has an adjustable fence built in and is looking pretty good. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow as I have still got to apply the finish.

Cheers
Philly

Sharp Edge

Hi Folks
Well there goes another weekend! I've not achieved much in the workshop though I have been busy elsewhere. A busy day Saturday replacing some fencing for a friend left me tired and today was spent at Marwell Zoo with the family. So needless to say workshop time has been minimal!
I did spend some time sharpening a few planes. When I'm too tired to do something constructive (without messing it up!!!!) I go for the old fall-back, sharpening.
It never fails to amaze me the difference a freshly sharpened iron makes. Effortless planing, a tear-out free polished surface and a smile on my face. And it really takes so little time. You just have to DO IT ;)
Incidently, I've tried cheating a bit recently. Yes, the "quick hone-up"......
Instead of going through the grits (for me 800, 4000, 10,000) I just try the fine stone or a rub on the strop. It kinda works but doesn't. All you get is an edge that cuts nicely on 90% of its length but has nicks and chips on the remainder. So whats the point? Quite.....
I have a theory that you need to go back to a coarse stone when honing due to the edge becoming "work hardened". This makes it brittle. So if you try to touch it up a few times instead of grinding back to fresh metal you get an edge like I described earlier. Chippy.
I counted out the strokes I take whilst sharpening (as some people feel my prefered method of sharpening, waterstones, is messy and time consuming) Take out coarse stone from water container, rub on flattening plate. 30 seconds. Set iron in jig (Veritas MK2). 30 seconds. Twelve strokes on the 800 stones. Wipe with rag, twelve strokes on the 4000 stones, wipe with rag, twelve strokes on the 10,000 stone. Remove from jig, wipe with oily rag, replace in plane.
Less than three minutes to hone a plane iron to a razor edge (tested on any remaining hand/arm hair I can find!) And sharp enough to leave a perfect, flawless surface that is ready for finishing.
Well worth keeping those tools sharp!
Cheers
Philly

Friday...

Hi Folks
Friday at last. Apologies for a blog not showing lots of interesting stuff and amazing progress shots of my latest dozen projects ;)
The last few weeks have been pretty quiet at work. Grim, actually!
Thanks goodness things have started to pick up - the day job is important. In the same way making the mortgage payment is kind of important....
Downside of being busy at work is I'm cream-crackered when I get home. But at least it's Friday!
Started work on another plane. This time it has a drawer bottom theme.......:)
Have a good weekend
Phil

Tool Thoughts.....

Hi Folks
Here's a picture of the rebate plane - I've put full step-by-step pics on my website. Hope you find them useful. Wooden planes are a real pleasure to make and an even bigger pleasure to use! Why is this?
Thinking about it I reckon its for two reasons. One, they are made out of our favorite material and feel warm and inviting in the hand. Low friction, smooth action.
Two, they are all specialised tools.
Why is that important? And isn't that really a negative thing?
The more I work wood the more I realise that tools that are specialised are the ones that work best. A side rebate plane trims the sides of rebates. Very well! It's not a lot of use for anything else but when you want to make a rebate slightly wider its your tool. It's the same for most tools - a smoothing plane is the only tool for final polishing of surfaces. You wouldn't use a jack for that. And at the same time you wouldn't use your smoother to reduce rough sawn boards to dimension.
So you can see that tools that are designed to do ne task, and do it very well are a quick and effective way to work. But does this mean you need a few tools in your tool chest? Yes, I guess it does. But if you are making them yourself it is not exactly breaking the bank, is it? Of course, if you ask Mr L-N to do it for you................... ;)
On another note - I finally took my 1/8th side bead plane out of the freezer (Remember I found some worm holes on the side? It was having the deep freeze treatment to kill off any nasties). Well, I took it out and let it acclimatise to the workshop. Upon removing the clingfilm I managed to knock an egg out of one of the holes. So it was a good thing I got it in the freezer quickly! Needless to say the egg is now dust.
A quick hone of the iron and the side bead was pressed into action. And it worked great -I'm a happy chappy! It does one thing (make a 1/8 wide bead on the edge of a board) but it does it splendidly! Cue satisfied feeling...........;)
Cheers
Philly

The Weekend That Was....

What a busy weekend that was!!!! Saturday saw me up at the crack of dawn for the Alexandra Palace Woodworking Exhibition. Waka and Martin K drove up with me so it was a very enjoyable day. We also met up with various members of UK Workshop - what a crazy bunch of guys :) I put some pictures of the days events here....
I got home at about 6pm and then had to go straight out to play with my Band. Bed at 2:30am........a tired boy indeed!
Sunday was "family day". You know, making up for all that fun ;) No woodwork that day but I have made up for it.
Finished another plane, a simple beech rebate plane this time. I do enjoy making wooden planes, such fun, and a real joy when you see them working. Need to make some more hollow and rounds to fill out my , ah, toolchest. Nearly said the "C" word then.....;)
The fluted table is coming along well. I have finished the table (except the glue!) and made sliding dovetails to take the lower rail. Need to make the drawer and we are there. This is a good looking project, I can't believe it I actually designed it.
Oh, and I have been making a replacement mantlepiece for my Mother-in-laws living room. Steamed pear with a live edge. The oil went on today, pictures once it is in place!
I've been having reports of pictures pushing the text all over the screen so will start putting the photo's at the bottom of the post to see if this helps. Let me either way - cheers!
Philly

Short but Sweet

Hi Folks
Been another busy day in the workshop. And the table has come to life!!!
I'm just off for a bath and an early night (Ally Pally Woodwork show tomorrow so an early start!!!) so thought a little picture would make up for less words ;)
Cheers
Philly

Busy in the Workshop, Quiet at Work.....

HI Folks
Been deathly quiet at work today - so had a busy day in the workshop instead! The fluted table is coming along FAST! I managed to cut all the corner joinery, taper the legs and rout the fluting. The left side is gluing up in the clamps as we speak. As always, I have some tasty pictures for you.......
It certainly is worth the time to plan your project out in advance. How some folks managed to make it up as they go along I'll never know. The time taken to experiment with the router sled and the flutes would of ruined most of the available walnut..........;)
Had a stroke of luck at my local scrap metal merchants. They had just had a pile of brass in from the local engineering firm. Needless to say, I came away with some cracking offcuts of brass plate for peanuts! Enough for a few plane cap irons and plane sides.......... :)
I've also been doing a little saw sharpening with my new (old) Disston saw vice. Somehow I've managed to make a rip tenon saw that also makes clean crosscuts. Don't know what the heck I've done but I'm pretty pleased. Need to send Mike the Wenz pictures so he can explain how I've messed up :)
One of yesterdays moulding planes had some worm holes - I've popped it in the freezer for a few days to sort the little bleeders out. I fonly I could get that 6 foot plank of Elm in there too.....;)
Cheers
Philly

Keep me away from toolshops.....

Hi Folks
Glued on the walnut strips to cover the sapwood today. Cleaned up with a plane and you would never know. Well, unless you look at the ends…..;) It has been a bit of a pain having to deal with the sap problem but at least I can on with things now. And I "beat it" ;) Now I can get started with the corner joint at last! And I know how excited you lot are about that :)
Took a trip to a Pennyfarthing Tools yesterday. Came out with some goodies….....a Disston saw vice for sharpening hand saws (which I’ve been after for AGES!) and four side bead moulding planes. Yet again, one of the planes was a size I’ve been after for a long time. I do love that shop!! :)
Then I popped over to Rob Woodbloke's house to say hello and deliver the shoulder plane. I think he was happy with it - just waiting to hear how he got on with it. It was very interesting to nose round his workshop. I also had a close look at his Elm cabinet - very, very nice and much smaller than you think.He gave me a set of firmer chisel that he had made new handles for. Very nice - thanks Rob!!!
This weekend is the Woodworking Exhibition at Alexandra Palace. I’m taking a couple of buddies up with me so it should be a great day out! It is held in an amazing venue, too. It is almost worth going just to take a look at the architecture (just don't tell anyone I said that) I’ll report back on the action (and Waka's gloatage)
Cheers
Philly

Strip Time...

HI Folks
Thought I'd make the "sap covering" strips for the table project last night. Dug out a suitable piece of walnut, planed it smooth and squared an edge. Then wandered over to the bandsaw to rip it into 1/4 inch thick strips.
At this point my brain says "hey, wouldn't it be great if you had some fancy featherboard to hold the stock firmly against the fence?" A grand idea, one that was inspired by a visit to a buddys workshop recently (stand up Waka!). So the next half hour was spent fashioning said featherboard instead of making genuine progress on the table. But I do now have a smart little accesory.
It is attached to the table using the mitre gauge slot and applies a good amount of pressure to keep the stock firmly up tight to the fence. This means a more consistent cut and a safer way to work for me - my hands can stay well clear of the blade. It's one of those things that you can't believe you did without. Needless to say it will be getting a lot of use in the future!
I did finish making the strips and then cleaned them up with a plane. Today I'll glue them on and then we can get on with actually "making" the table. At last.......
Today the day the shoulder plane goes to its new owner. I might have to pass by Pennyfarthing Tools just to console myself.....;)
Cheers
Philly

Another Plane

Hi Folks
Finished another shoulder plane - What do you think?? A pretty little thing (if I do say so myself) ;) It didn't take too long to make, probably 10 hours total. But it works great and looks right. I hope the new owner likes it? I've put some pictures here....
Did a little more work on the new table - final dimensioned alll the stock on the table saw and then planed down the sapwood boards ready for the new pieces of walnut to be glued on. Sadly, that is all I had time to do as I had some painting to do in the house. But you gotta keep the Boss happy, right? ;)
Cheers
Phil

More Preparation

Hi Folks
Spent some time organising the timber for the table project. Final thickness for all parts was 48mm so after filling the bag on the dust extractor I could start choosing what goes where. Arranging the grain pattern was a lot of fun, it's amazing how you can make or break a piece by just flipping a couple of parts about.
I also made a final test piece of the corner joint. The top is 48mm thick, the sides taper to 30mm at the top edge. Obviously this makes quite some difference to the layout of the joint. What do you think? Almost as strong as a secret mitred dovetails but much quicker to produce. And very strong!
It is almost a pity to hide the joint away (the from edges of the table will not show the joint as I want clean lines) but I'll leave it at the back so there is a little evidence of my work.
I have also started plumbing in the shop for dust extraction. I usually move the dust extractor to whatever machine I'm about to use but that approach isn't always a good one when you're as lazy as me ;)
Cheers
Philly

Corner Joint

Hi Folks

I've been tinkering with the design of my table again. The corner joint inparticular.

Mike W mentioned that he thought I'd be dovetailing it. but my design calls for clean, uncluttered lines and I think dovetails would be a bit "shouty"!

Originally I was going to mitre the corners and used loose tenons or a double row of biscuits. But as I machine up the raw timber needed for the design I can tell it is going to be a physically heavy piece. The old brain cells started to twitch.........

So I knocked up a test joint last night. What do you think? It goes together well, has a mitre corner but lots of glue area and is a physically tough joint. It can be batch cut on the table saw easily enough, too.

I am going to dovetail in the lower rail under the drawer. Well, it's more a panel than a rail, but with the new corner joint it will tie the piece together strongly. What do you think?

Cheers

Philly

Giggle Time

Hi Folks

I've been reading a great book by Graham Blackburn entitled "Traditional Woodworking Handtools". It is a pretty good read, and for me that is important. A lot of woodworking books are full of pretty pictures but the text side of things is a little light. Sometimes there just isn't anything of substance at all. And I do like to read.....

This book is all about the tools in a traditional (read "before electricity"!) cabinetmakers tool chest. Each type of tool is discussed, how to identify, tune and use each one. And it is full of very interesting insights.

But one particular passage had me laughing out loud. On the subject of handplanes we come to this.....

"one measure of an adequately sharpened plane is that you should be able to place the plane at one end of the board, tilt the board, and watch the plane slide down the board unaided, removing a perfect shaving, feathered away to nothing at its edges as it does so."

Now this has got to be an "Old Wives Tale"tm of the highest order! Has anyone tried this?? I for one am pleased when I achieve full width, perfect shavings with both hands on the plane. To do this hands free is an achievement indeed!!

Joking aside, this really is a great book and highly recommended to the hand tool user. There are no photo's, just line drawings (by the author) and the book is just packed with useful info and anecdotes. A pleasant change to the "coffee table" books that look so good.

Best regards

Philly

The Big Sap

Hi Folks
Well, with the workshop looking so inviting I couldn't help myself. Yes, I've started work on my new table design. Dug out all the 2 inch black walnut I had and got planing and thicknessing. And my, what did I find?
Sapwood. LOTS of sap.....
Now is this right?? When you lot by walnut do you expect it to be two thirds sapwood? I appreciate the walnut tree isn't grown for timber and that it doesn't grow to be a huge, straight tree. But come on, this is expensive timber. And I don't want to be "incorporating sapwood in an original manner" in this piece. Grrrr......
So out of 24 components, 6 of which could be mainly sapwood, I got nine. That is high wastage in anyones book!!!! After pacing the workshop and swearing mildly I tried swearing a stronger. It still didn't help though. Luckily my brain later kicked in and I realised I could glue a veneer of clear walnut onto the sappy backs of most of the components. Going to be close, though, and I may have to laminate up some one inch stock to get sap free components.
None of which has put me off. I am buzzing with excitement over this project. It has been a while since I've been real excited about making something. Sometimes you just need to "inspired"!
Cheers
Philly

All Change

Big changes at Philsville. Yes, I've been changing the workshop around. Again........
First up - the garage door. As those of you who have had the pleasure will know, I have a large double garage door at the front of my workshop. Well, it is a double garage.......;)
And, whilst giving easy access, also allows all the heat to disappear in the Winter as well as letting the wind whistle though......not perfect.
So, plan A was turned down by the Authorities (well, the Missus) So I knocked up some timber studwork around the inside of the door, stuffed it with insulation and overboarded it with 18mm water resistant chipboard. A couple of coats of white paint later and the place is transformed!
Well, after this triumph I had to dabble a little more........;)
I have now moved all the major machinery around (except the table saw). And what a huge difference it has made! It feels twice as big as it did yesterday. Amazing!
I've put some pictures here on my website for you to browse. I might even mount the Littlerat back on the wall tomorrow.
Cheers
Philly

Tormek...

Hi Folks
Do any of you have a Tormek? I must admit I think they are very overpriced, but by Golly, they sure do work. And easily. I've always wanted to buy the planer knife jig but the cost (£108!!!) is rather steep, especially as I sold my second kidney to afford the grinder........;)
So, whilst at a Mate's workshop I noticed his Tormek and asked the question. Yes, says he, I do. Needless to say, I rode home with the jig in my car. What a decent chap he is :)
I set the Tormek up last night and had a go with my "spare" set of blades. I have two sets, the thoery being one set is sharp, in the machine, the other is blunt and sent off to the sharpeners. Off course, the second set just sit on the shelf. And the set in the machine make pretty patterns on any timber I machine.......;)
Five minutes later one set of shiny sharp blades and one very impressed Philly. What a great jig!!! I was so impressed I took the set out of the jointer and fitted the sharp ones. And then sharpened the second set. Easy!!
Now, I'm not saying you should run out and buy a planer knife jig for your Tormek. But if you (or a buddy) have a Tormek why not pool your resources and buy a jig between two or three of you. It makes the purchase price much softer and the jig is darn handy. And it works!!!
Just think, razor sharp planer knives, all the time...........
Have a good weekend,
Phily

Timber......

Hi Folks
Well, with the helpful advice on my new design idea taken to heart I've made some alterations. And it is looking good - I am so glad I've spent the time on the design instead of just breaking out the timber and making sawdust. And I had to force myself not to do that!
A trip to Yandles was duly made today with the Woodkateers in tow to purchase some more Paduak for the table. Sadly, I didn't have enough so off we went to deepest, darkest Somerset. As always, a wide and varied selection of boards was on show. After picking my way through various stuff I ended up with a lovely big board of paduak, 2.1 x 0.4 m, 50mm thick. I knew it was paduak because it was writen on the board along with the price. Went to pay and found Waka and Martin buying up the few remaining Bessey's that they had.....;)
Back at the workshop I put the paduak next to the baord I already had. I was surprised how different in colour they were but it does go much darker with time. But hang on......they look very much different. I took a few shavings and the smell gave it away. Yup, I had bought a board of Bubinga by mistake........:(
So I still don't have enough to make the design, even if I just use bubinga. I do have enough walnut in stock so maybe, maybe.......
Needless to say, I've handed in my "Timber Recognition" badge ;)
Cheers
Philly

New Idea

Hi Folks
Right-ho. I've spent some time on my new design idea and built some mock-up and test pieces. Changed the design and then exposed it to certain people. Then changed it again after some constructive critism (you know, "What on earth are you doing? You 've got plenty of jobs around the house to do.....")
So, here it is. A side table with fluted sides and drawer. Timber? Probably Paduak. There is a slight splay (2 degrees) to the sides.
I've been experimenting with the flutes in the sides. A carriage has been made for the router table to cut them. And I;ve extended my router table due to the length of the carriage. So I've been busy...........;)
It's funny how much the timber choice can alter the feel of a piece. I made up samples in oak and it just didn't look right. A heavy, fine grained timber is required that will take a fine polish to show off the (hopefully!) crisp detailing.
So this one should be taking shape over the next couple of months. Stay tuned......
Oh, and i've put step-by-step pics on my website for the table mats project.
Cheers
Philly

Finished and Finishing

Hi Folks
Hope you had a good weekend? I managed to finish the table mats off today, spraying the final coat of lacquer just after lunch. I love spraying lacquer, it is such an easy finish to apply. Yet every time I complete a project what do I reach for?? Yup, oil or shellac......;)
After a couple of coats the job looks pretty awful. And doubt creeps in (also known as panic!). But once it dries, and that doesn't take long, it sinks down and looks 10 times better. And one of the advantages of lacquer is it dries quick. But it is not cured so is easy to sand and rub out. Then a couple of days later it fully cures and you are left with a bullet-proof finish. That shines like a mirror (if you want). I know it isn't appropriate for every project but it is worth experimenting with of you have never tried it. I use Chestnut melamine lacquer and a cheap B+Q HVLP spray gun.
Saturday the Missus had me make a tray for the bathroom cabinet. Oak lipping round some 9mm MDF, some brads and glue - Voila! Amazing how a bit of hardwood lipping transforms it into something "worth making";) I must thank Norm for that construction method.........
The new design idea is coming to life - Sketchup is a dream tool for me. I can "make" the project and then see how it looks by walking around it. Virtually, which means no timber was harmed in the planning of this project. Such a great tool, it really is worth perservering through the initial learning curve. A trip to Yandles is needed as I don't have quite enough of the chosen timber. Always the way.........
Cheers
Philly