Replies

1. 
   Napie | Jan 10, 2005 08:10pm | #1

   It is a type of bronze.  Used to cast cannon in the 18th century, hence the name.

1. 
   RayL | Jan 11, 2005 02:26am | #2

   Thanks Napie.  If I go to, say McMaster-Carr, to look for this ( they do not list  a "gun metal") , do you happen to know what sort of ally it is?

1. 
   Napie | Jan 11, 2005 06:09pm | #4

   I think a specialty supplier is a more likely choice.  There are various alloys listed depending on what it will be used for, (bearings, etc.).  It is usually listed in ingot form for casting.  Many dovetailed planes had mild steel soles and brass side plates with soldered and peened double dovetails.  This are very authentic and easy to get materials for this type of project.  One question though, is this a project for fun, or are you planning on making this to upgrade your current tools?  If it’s the latter, just buy a new L-N 4 ½ smoother.

1. 
   RayL | Jan 12, 2005 02:57am | #6

   Hi Napie,

   This is just a fun project.  Always wanted to make a couple of planes.  I've got enough Stanley/Bailey palnes to do the things I need.   I fear that, as much as I would like a couple of L-N planes; both I and the planes would have to find a new home when the other half found out the price.

   Ray

   Edited 1/11/2005 6:58 pm ET by Ray

1. 
   Napie | Jan 13, 2005 12:46am | #7

   Do what I do, make her stuff.  Then tell her it is cheaper than a mid-life crisis, (sports car, blondes, etc.).

2. 
   RayL | Jan 13, 2005 04:45am | #9

   Tried that, she is into instant gratification>> I like to smell  the sawdust and putz around.  Besides, I do not have room for any more "stuff". Good thing the daughter just moved into a bigger townhouse, it will take me a while to fill it up.

3. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Jan 13, 2005 02:26am | #8

   There are a couple companies that sell rough castings.  Much simpler than casting your own unless you really want to try it for its own sake.  St James Bay has Norris kits for around 150 complete.  Bare  castings around $50.  Just put in a thousand worth of labor and you get a plane thats worth $500 easy.

4. 
   RayL | Jan 13, 2005 04:49am | #10

   I am thinking more about making the plane using sheet brass or "gun-metal" and dovetailing the bottom to the sides and using a good looking exoctic wood for the infill.  It will undoubtably take a lot more time that it will be worth.  I have made a couple of wood planes that are to bad in the appearance dept. and work just fine.

   I guess that it' just one of those things that I have to try.

    

5. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Jan 13, 2005 05:34am | #11

   That's easier than than the casting route.  Takes some time, but not all that bad of a job.  I've done a few.  Bronze is pretty and not difficult to work.  Cuts easily with a jigsaw.  Not cheap.  1/8 thick bronze sheet is over $100 a square foot retail.  Brass is half that.  Look around for surplus or scrap if you can.

6. 
   Midnight | Jan 14, 2005 02:36am | #12

   Ray... have you checked out Sheppard Tools..?? They sell kits that sound like just what you're looking for. Most of the machining is done for you, but that said, to assemble the kit requires a fair bit of input from you... might be a usefull compromise??

   http://www.shepherdtool.com/Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

7. 
   lowchin | Jan 14, 2005 08:46pm | #13

   Not sure how many of you read Popular Mechanics but they always have articles in there about casting and metals.  Not to long ago they printed an article on making your own set of wooden planes.  I have the link http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/1273456.html

   Check it out I realize your wanting to work with metal but this could be something interesting for you to check out.  There are alot of plans and tool reviews in there publication and they have tons of plans and cool stuff on the web site.

   Later Centaur76

8. 
   RayL | Jan 15, 2005 07:15pm | #14

   Thanx for the web-page url.  they look cool.

   Ray

9. 
   wally1 | Feb 08, 2005 06:33am | #15

   Hey ray, I just finished my brass smoother. I decided to take a different route, then the Shop Notes version. I used 3/16 sheet brass from a local recycle center. I used beech for the sole, with a few Stanley parts to make this beast of a plane.

   
10. 
    RayL | Feb 09, 2005 01:36am | #16

    Tha looks really nice Wally!  Did you use a bandsaw to cut the Brass?  How wide is the plane iron?  My plane is still a pile of parts waiting to be assembled, will send photos when done.

11. 
    wally1 | Feb 10, 2005 04:43am | #17

    Hey Ray, I used my bosch jigsaw with a metal blade to cut the brass. But I think a 18 to 24 tooth band saw blade would be easier. The blade I pick up was from Lee Valley, and it goes to a chinese jack plane. It is 1 7/8 by 1/8 thick, and only cost $8.50.  I am contemplating making these planes to sell on ebay. Do you think I could sell this plane for $300-350 on ebay?.

2. 
   wally1 | Jan 11, 2005 04:50am | #3

   Hey, Ray you should pick up the current issue of Shop Notes. The issue tells you how to build a brass smoother and what type of brass to use, and also where to get it. I also am thinking of building a hand plane. Ps. If you go to there site you can print out the pattern sheet.

1. 
   RayL | Jan 12, 2005 02:54am | #5

   Thanks for the thought Wally.   I got that issue a couple of weeks ago when I was at the Woodsmith Store and that is what got me fired up to make a plane.