Well after posting the pictorial on the threaded rivet technique it was evident that I was pretty close to finishing Coupe De Plane’s smaller couterpart 5 3/4″ smoother. I completed the little plane yesterday and I am quite pleased with the result. The progression of my assembly technique allowed me to create a more refined product this time around. The Mini Couper is a solid little plane, it has good heft for it’s size but is easy to control with the block style tote.
I think I’ll find myself reaching for it to do a multitude of task. It is bedded at York pitch as is the large smoother and has a 1/4 thick bronze sole and 1/8″ thick sides, and the lever cap is also made from 1/4 bronze. It is equiped with a shorter 3/16″ thick Hock iron which makes it easier to handle in this smaller form. The walnut infill is a particularly figured piece that was sized for a nice fit in this smaller format.
Ron
Replies
Well Ron, let me be the first to congratulate you on a fine job. They make a handsome couple. I like the proportion of the mini. Do you have something special in mind for this plane? What made you go with the York pitch?
-Chuck
Chuck most woodworkers buy a 2" smoother and try to do all they have to do with that one smoother, but even a 2" smoother is way too big for some jobs. Block planes with their low angle don't always fill the bill for some task. This a size plane that many woodworkers would put off buying, but once they did would wonder why they waited so long. It had only been finished in my shop for about an hour and I had already reached for it to do about 5 different task. It's really solid for it's size and it's just a pleasurable tool to use. In the course of the day in my shop I may be making cross stretchers for a chest of drawer,door frame parts, carcass sides. I typically make the last pass on the edges of these parts with a well sharpened smoother. Well a 5 lb smoother like the Coupe De Plane will do the job, but it's really too big. This little plane will do the job just as well and I won't be nearly as tired at the end of the day, and better yet, I won't have had to touch a piece of sandpaper to get the job done. The York pitch serves my needs based on the materials I typically use in my shop. At present I am doing a small hanging corner cupboard in Tiger maple, this little planes leaves a very nice surface in this material.Ron
Edited 5/13/2006 1:19 pm ET by Ronaway
Nice job Ron, and they do make a nice couple. Good explanation of the role of a small smoother/block plane as well.
Depending on the sort of work done, I'm guessing lots of recreational woodworkers would find a small smoother all they need. Add something with a low angle, bevel-up, and maybe a panel-size (12 inches or longer) that will also joint, and you've got almost all jobs covered.
I'll be interested to hear your assessment of the bronze sole - whether it marks-up more than steel. Like a lot of us, pro or not, you don't push a plane all day, and I'm guessing you don't surface from the rough, so wearability shouldn't be an issue?
Well done.
You're helping to make the case that hand-built tools that do a suprior job are within the capabilities of all competent woodworkers, at affordable costs.
Malcolm
What about weight, Ron?
Malcolm
Malcolm I don't know the exact weight of this little plane, however I will be going to the post office tomorrow to ship a Stanley plane that I've sold recently and I think that I will get them to weigh it on the postal scales while I'm there. I will report on the weight tomoorow.Ron
Guys the little plane weighs exactly 2 lbs. And by the way thanks for all the favorable comments. My next endeavor will be a bit of a departure from these 2 planes. I'm going to embark on creating a plane that will feature a 2 3/8 wide Lie-Nielsen iron. It will be true smoother length at 8" and will show some Norris influence on the front end and a bit of MacPherson influence on the rear tote. All metal parts of the body and the lever cap will be bronze.RonEdited 5/15/2006 10:03 am ET by Ronaway
Edited 5/15/2006 10:03 am ET by Ronaway
Am I the only reader who consistently sees 'Mini Cooper' (no, not the current ersatz version, the original in the 1275S version).
Ron,
I read your heading and thought you got shavings on your Mini Cooper S!
Sorry, but I couldn't resist a response!
Bob
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