Replies

1. 
   ChasStanford | Apr 01, 2003 01:30am | #1

   Based on what you have perceived your needs to be you need a shoulder plane and a low-angle block plane.  The shoulder plane is often called a shoulder rabbet plane in the mail order catalogs so don't be confused.

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 01:53am | #2

   Thanks for the feedback.

   BTW, I had the feeling that perhaps my "perceived" needs may have fallen short of the mark IYO. If so, I would be happy to hear any additional comments. I am coming from major ignorance here.

   Thanks again.

2. 
   Alan | Apr 01, 2003 02:34am | #3

   MikeE,

   See if you can find Garrett Hack's The Handplane Book.  It will help you understand which planes you should have for those tasks, and why.  In addition it will show you the process of tuning your planes, to get them working the way they should.  Besides all that, it's a beautiful book:  it's a coffee table book for those who made the coffee table.

   Alan

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 04:02am | #4

   Thanks very much for the info. I will follow up on that.

2. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 02:23pm | #10

   ordered The Handplane Book as well as The Sharpening book by Leonard Lee last night from Amazon. com.

   Thanks for the info.

   regards,

   Mike

3. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 01, 2003 06:21am | #5

   Mike,

   I think CHASSTANFORD is right, might I suggest a Preston shoulder plane and a Stanley 65 low angle block? That's what I use, and they happen to be my favorites too. The Lie-Nielsen low angle block is a beauty too. Here are a couple of my favorite sites:

   http://www.supertool.com

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 02:14pm | #7

   Many thanks for the info. Will check them out

2. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 02:15pm | #8

   Thanks for the info and especially the sites.

   Will follow up on them.

4. 
   pauld | Apr 01, 2003 07:31am | #6

   Mike,

   One word: Aspercreme (is that how you spell it?).

   Arthritis isn't any fun, but whoever said "Growing old ain't for sissies" was right.

   Good luck,

   Paul

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 01, 2003 02:18pm | #9

   Couldn't agree more. I still have some wiggle room so I can still DO which is the main thing for me.

   Thanks for the info and the personal concern. It is greatly appreciated.

   Regards

   Mike

5. 
   SawdustRay | Apr 10, 2003 07:28am | #11

   Would you consider, just maybe...

   making your own?

   I just took a weekend class at Woodcraft Suppy on making your own wooden planes. It was most excellent! If you are familiar with the work of James Krenov - that's exactly what he uses. I'm certainly no expert but from my ignorant opinion, a well made wooden hand plane is as good if not better than any Lie Nelson (sp?) at a fraction of the cost. Plus you can customize it to your specific needs.

   Two articles for reference:

   Wooden Planes by David Welter, September October '97 issue of Fine

   Woodworking

   Wooden Smoothing Plane by Fiona Armas Wilson, January/February '89 issue of american Woodworker.

   I've found the main public library the best source for old magazines if you can't find it on-line.

   The instuctor recommended "Making and Mastering Woodend Planes" by David Finck.

   The instructor that taught the class is Bob Mays, director of the woodworking school at the Santa Fe Community College, (505) 428-1726, Email: [email protected]

   One additional point of advice; use Ron Hock Handmade Knives.

   Good luck.

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 10, 2003 02:56pm | #12

   Great info. Many thanks for the feedback.

6. 
   rmcjh | Apr 10, 2003 03:43pm | #13

   Mike:

   As CrazyRay stated, WoodCraft does have classes on making a hand plane.  I saw one of them and its a beautiful piece of workmanship as well as functional.

   They also have several styles of Japenese planes that are unbelievably sharp right out of the box and are quite inexpensive.  They are meant to be pulled rather than pushed when cutting and this process is quite easy to get used to.

   Roger

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 10, 2003 06:19pm | #14

   Just spent the last hour or so on the Woodcraft web site. Needless to say, it is now stored on my "Favorites" list.

   Their nearest store to me is the one in Norwalk, Ct. which is about 75 miles away. I am going to make it a point to get up there some day this spring to pick up a couple (or few depending on my cash flow) hand planes as they seem to have all that I would require.

   Many thanks to you and Crazy Ray for some great feedback. It is really appreciated.

   Regards,

   Mike

1. 
   rmcjh | Apr 10, 2003 08:51pm | #15

   Mike:

   Their store is only about 48 miles from me but my wife and I get there often enough that we are on a first name basis with all of the full time employees.  I think you'll enjoy yourself when you get there.  Good luck and have fun.

   Roger

1. 
   foghorn | Apr 10, 2003 11:24pm | #16

   Will do.