Replies

1. 
   MKenney | Sep 08, 2009 11:08pm | #1

   Thanks for watching the video. I actually didn't attach the top. It's still not attached. It doesn't move. However, if you want to attach the top, here's how I'd do it. I would get the top situated on the legs where I wanted it and then attach two cleats to the underside. They would be just inside the top cross members on the trestle legs. That would keep it from sliding around, which is all you need to worry about unless you plan on moving the bench often. You could also just screw one lag bolt up through the middle of each top cross member and into the bench top.

   Best of luck, Matt

   This is my personal signature.
2. 
   WSB2232 | Jun 20, 2012 02:23am | #2

   Outside Bench

   I watched the video on making an outside bench by Matt Kenney and was wondering what kind and brand of hand planes and spoke shaves were used as I am still building my tool inventory.  Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

   Will

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 21, 2012 10:47am | #4

   To paraphrase . . .

    . . . the old quote about torpedoes, damn the brands, full shavings ahead.  ;-)

   That is to say, as Roc did, the type and quality of the planes are more important than the specific brand. The choice boils down to refurbishing old planes found at flea markets (or, used dealers), or buying quality new ones.

   Personally, I prefer the look, feel, and function of the Lie Nielsen planes over the Veritas planes from Lee Valley. But, other opinions vary. Both are good brands, Lie Nielsen following the traditional designs more closely, and Veritas tending to redesign some of their planes a bit.

   The bevel-down vs. bevel-up debate can get a bit religious, as can the issue of which sharpening system to use. Regardless of those choices, the act of choosing hand planes means you must learn to sharpen well.

   Which planes do you need? I'd suggest starting with a #4 (smoother), a #5 (Jack), and a #7 (jointer). Get extra irons for each, so you can sharpen them to different cambers (the slight arc across the cutting edge). I also like the LN rabbet block plane for chamfering edges, trimming tenons, etc. http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=60_5R

   Add others as needs (and, The Budget) dictate.

2. 
   MKenney | Jul 14, 2012 10:36pm | #5

   My planes

   Will,

   I own planes by a number of makers: Stanley, Lie-Nielsen, and Veritas. The spikes have in particular is a Veritas. I like the planes I have, but that doesn't mean you will. There is a bit of the personal to hand planes. But I recommend starting with a low angle apron block plane. Then a smoother, like a No. 4. From there you're looking at speciality planes. A low angle jack for shooting end grain. A block rabbet plane or shoulder plane for trimming joints. A No. 5 for rougher work. A No. 7 or 8 for jointing stuff that you don't want to run over the jointer. I hope that helps. You can email further questions to me directly if you want: mkenney at taunton dot com.

   Matt

3. 
   roc | Jun 20, 2012 05:03am | #3

   Quality and type are more important than brand.

   Here are the types of planes you would need from good qualtiy makers :

   http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=51871&cat=1,41182,48944

   http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=47298&cat=1,41182,48944

   and if you want to treat yourself right get one or both of these (you will need them for future projects ) :

   http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=46294&cat=1,41182,48944

   http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=52414&cat=1,41182,52515

   or for a bevel down version

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=7

   I have not seen the video but I have made a couple of work benches using hand planes.  I own planes from both companies.  The Veritas tend to cost less, be a tad more accurate and a tad better designed but are made in Canada (not a bad thing but because of economics buying USA is important ).  The Lie-Nielsens are prettier (more brass and swoopier handles ) and are made in the USA.

   As far as the spoke shaves I have shaves from both companies and they are both great so it is more what you like to look at and pay for as to which you choose.