Well, Sunday afternoon in NZ.
The ‘chopper-inspired’ panel plane is done! Photos on the web site now.
http://www.macpherson.co.nz/shop_made_planes.htm
What do I mean by ‘chopper’? Big sweeping curves, extravagant engineering, more than a bit ‘over the top’.
I think it works – big brass balloon knob, lots of bronze in the lever cap, 2 and 5/8 inch Clifton irons with the prominent cast-in logo, shiny rosewood, pedestal handle and a brass ramp that loops up and behind the adjuster. 12 gauge countersunk screws. Stainless lever pin …
I’ve got about 30 hours invested so far, and I’m guessing about $150 worth of hardware.
Sitting here on the kitchen table I also have an almost finished Art Deco concept plane. Similar materials (rosewood, stainless steel, brass, bronze). Inverted pistol-grip pedestal tote, barrel-shaped front ‘bun’, lots of bronze (thanks Philip). I think it works! There are also some ‘work in progress’ photos of this tool on the web site (click below)
Malcolm
Edited 3/25/2006 10:21 pm ET by Malcolm
Edited 3/26/2006 3:23 am ET by Malcolm
Replies
... photos now attached to a reply in the Tools/Handtools forum
Malcolm
< Inverted pistol-grip pedestal tote, barrel-shaped front 'bun', lots of bronze (thanks Philip).>
Quite beautiful!!
Thanks
The response to the Deco plane has been surprising (well, it has surprised me). It is purely a concept tool, made to test whether it is possible to design and make a plane that is recognisably 'Deco'.
I wasn't sure, as the fabrication progressed, quite what the answer was going to be. Like the guys in those hot rod and chopper-building TV programmes, I do tend to design 'on the bench' quite a lot ... which tends to be what Pye called 'the craftsmanship of risk'. You're never quite sure whether it's going to come off, and the further you get into the project, the riskier it becomes.
On balance, I like it ... so far!
Malcolm
For those who only read this folder, interview at handplane central is here:
http://www.handplane.com/
And there's a short discussion across at hand tools! I know I shouldn't cross-post!
Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz
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