Comments

1. 
   saschafer | May 27, 2011 02:04pm | #1

   Hey, that looks suspiciously identical to a planing tray I made about a year and a half ago, for working on chair parts.

   Have you guys been sneaking into my shop? ;-)

   I posted a photo of mine, in flagrante delicto, here: http://www.dendroica.com/Scratch/planingTray.jpg

   -Steve

2. 
   RobPorcaro | Jun 08, 2011 03:04am | #2

   Hi Mike,

   I use a similar jig but I like the long border on my left side, i.e, on the outer side of the bench. Since I am right handed, I tend to skew the plane like you do - the front of the plane is to my left. The wood tends to move to the left and thus against the border.

   This also keeps the work piece as close as possible to my right hip, which I find more comfortable. This minimizes leaning over to reach the wood. The border piece is very narrow for the same reason. It also thus allows me to design the jig wider and use it for a greater range of work pieces.

   I guess two borders is another option.

   I secure the jig on the right side of the bench, between bench dogs, which keeps the front vise out of my way.

   These are just personal preferences, I guess it depends on personal ergonomics, but readers may want to experiment with these different options and see what works best. I find planing is less fatiguing with my right hip as close to the plane as possible.

   Rob

3. 
   MPekovich | Jun 08, 2011 12:04pm | #3

   Thanks Rob, I had never thought of trying the fence on the near side. I can't remember having a problem with the work piece coming away from the fence, but you're right, I do tend to skew the plane in that direction.
   I used to do a lot of planing on my old tablesaw outfeed table. It didn't have a vise, so I just screwed stops right to the tabletop. It worked pretty well.
   -Mike

4. 
   sshanman | Jun 22, 2011 03:31pm | #4

   I found the video interesting however, shame on you for setting your plane on the sole when you finished your passes. I was taught to lay my plane on its side when the blade is extended. Sam

5. 
   David Brayton | Jul 01, 2011 08:22pm | #5

   @sshanman--So, why do you think it is important to lay a plane on its side? Is it to protect the blade? If the answer is yes, can you please explain why? Plane blades are intentionally and forcefully driven into a piece of wood to cut the wood. Setting it the plane on a workbench made of much softer material doesn't seem, at least on its face, to be a big deal.

6. 
   ButchGMacDonald | Mar 14, 2015 01:56am | #6

   No, Michael's is totally different. He used black screws in his.