I have been at woodworking for about 5 years. During most of that time I was recovering from an auto accident. I have recently trying to get in shape and have been using hand planes when I can.
I am wondering why I see so little about circular planes or compas planes. Are they difficult to use or of little use. Kunz is offering a 113 style ship circular plane. Has anyone used one or read an article about one?
Replies
I have a Record radius plane similar to the Kunz plane. It is ok and I would say that's about it. It sits in it's walnut box a rarely gets taken out and used. But it is a pretty tool.
My feeling is that money can be well spent on other tools such a set of pattern rasps
But, then again, I do not limit my woodworking to hand tools. I'm more into the used of machinery when it is all possible.
It's been used in other things than ships, wagon wheels, anything where curved planing would be applicable. It's a more specialized type of tool so it doesn't get the attention the other more commonly used planes would. They are not especially difficult to use compared to the other planes and they haven't gotten the improved refinements of a Lie Nielsen because they are so specialized but I'm sure in time there will be offered an improved compass plane just becasue all the other planes have been beaten to death in refinements and someone has decided to tackle that one. I don't think the Kunz is as good a quality tool as the old record or even old Stanley circular planes were. You can find plenty of the old Stanleys around as well. I've got about 5 different type compass planes I picked up over the years.
Edited 11/28/2004 2:20 pm ET by rick3ddd
I borrowed one for soe curved chair legs and liked it so much I bought one as my first purchase at an old tool sale. I bought a Stanley 113.
Not difficult to use, sharp iron and fairly fine set. The tool acts like a spoke shave with respect to grain direction - you have to keep an eye on it. My opinion is that, like all planning, the longer an wider the plane the more likely to get a true surface. Certainly this was a good tool for my task.
Record make a reproduction of the last stanley style if you want to spend more money for no functional benefit.
I have a Stanley 113 that I use on a regular basis, when I'm making patterns or templates out of hardboard. It's quite a bit faster than smoothing out bandsaw ridges with sandpaper.Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934, Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT
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