danmart asked to see photos of the smoother I mentioned in an inquiry about enlarging the slot of a Hock Krenov style iron. Here it is–about 8 1/2 inches long, loaded with lead shot, 3 lbs., 6 oz., 1 3/4″ Hock iron modified to work with the brass lever cap and bedded at 51.5 degrees, very fine mouth. Cocobolo sides and sole, Honduras Mahogany core (very similar tangential and radial shrinkage numbers), all made from scraps of stuff I had around. Seems to be a sweet little plane with good “ergonomics” although I only finished it a day or two ago. It actually weighs 5.5 ounces more than my old number 3 bailey plane–I guess I’ll have to wait to see if this lead-shot filled and plugged idea makes for stable and durable tools. The evidence so far with this and couple of other planes is that it will work fine. Best, jackmaggs
Replies
Very nice making planes is fun. Thanks for posting the pictures
Troy
Looks nice. I have been think of building a Krenov type smoother. I also considered using lead shot to up the mass. How much lead shot (weight) did you use? Was it distributed between front and back or , or?? Did you drill holes, cut slots for the lead. Then what? Just plug and glue the holes?
Sierramtns,
I did distribute the extra weight front and back. I don't know exactly how much of the mass of the plane comes from the shot, although it is a reasonably large percentage. The problem is really volume--how large and deep can the shot holes be made, without compromising the structural integrity of the plane, and without constraining the final shaping too much. With a small plane like this, one doesn't have to worry much about making it too heavy. The method used was very simple--1.5" diameter holes drilled into the ends, front and back, filled with shot, and plugged with matching material.
jackmaggs
Wow ! That's a beauty. What's
Wow ! That's a beauty. What's the price? ;})
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