Replies

1. 
   Cornishmaid | Apr 06, 2002 06:24pm | #1

   Hi,

   http://www.crfinefurniture.com/1pages/sitelinks/howplane.html gives the run down on the Krenov style of plane. Been meaning to make one myself, but you know how it is :~)

   Hope this helps, Alf

   Fingers crossed this works; it's my first post.

2. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 06, 2002 10:40pm | #2

   Check out the following link. Steve shows you how he builds both this wooden hand planes and his infill planes.

   http://www.knight-toolworks.com/about.htm

   Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

3. 
   sawdustfrank | Apr 08, 2002 10:40pm | #3

   I have the David Finck book and can highly recommend it.

   Good advice given in a clear and concise manner.

4. 
   lwilliams | Apr 10, 2002 08:05pm | #4

   ECBNTMKR,

   I've been trying to keep an eye on this thread and hoping someone else would step in. While I haven't read Finck's book, I'm sure he has a lot of good information to offer.

   My problem with it lies with Krenov style laminated planes. I made some back in the 1970's but they have inherent problems. The glue lines create impermeable layers in the wood that hinder moisture movement and create shape stability problems. Many Krenov style advocates simply haven't studied traditional plane making and really don't even understand the benefits of wood as a plane making material. There's so much involved that it'd take a book to explain even my limited knowledge of all this and I am involved in actively researching it daily and have been for years.

   If you want plans for wooden planes, I suggest you buy a few wooden planes from the late 18th Century or early 19th Century. Look at what was done, make allowances for years of ham-fisted seasonal tuning and try to copy what was done on these. I am completely convinced the evolution of bench planes in general and the smooth plane in particular reached its peak around or just before 1800--it's gone down hill since.

1. 
   Ecbntmkr | Apr 11, 2002 12:38am | #5

   To those that have replied, I thank you for your time.  Larry, I appreciate your input and must say that the idea that you have suggested makes sense.  As absurd as this probably sounds, I have almost no experience with a hand plane (tried a few metal bodied planes but could never get them to work right)  I tried a wood plane the other day and it was incredible!  I know that proper sharpening and tuning help but I really liked the way it felt.  Since I have a limited amount of money, I thought why not make my own planes rather than buy them.  That  is my logic and I really enjoy the input from everyone.

1. 
   lwilliams | Apr 11, 2002 02:38am | #6

   ECBNTMKR,

   Here's a link to an article I wrote about bench plane design:

   http://www.planemaker.com/articles/benchplane.html

1. 
   vanderpooch | Apr 11, 2002 08:34am | #7

   not to contradict larry, as i have found his advice to be unbiased and sound over the last couple years, but i am a big advocate of krenovian planes. especially for someone who doesn't have much hand tool experience, trying to chisel a traditional smoothing plane out of a block of beech, and have it work really well, seems like a harsh intro into plane making. for an interesting and amusing book on "traditional" plane making, check out "fifity years a plane maker and user," by cecil pierce. he gives step bt step instuctions on the chiselling method, with great illustrations, too.

   the finck book is great for krenov style planes, as well as passing on some of the knowledge gleaned from the college of the redwoods program.

   LARRY? HAVE YOU READ CECIL's BOOK? i'd be curious to see what you thought....

   -kit

1. 
   lwilliams | Apr 11, 2002 08:57am | #8

   I've read Cecil Pierce's book. A lot of knowledge about traditional wooden plane making was lost. Some simply wasn't recorded and some was likely considered trade secrets by some. Cecil was one of the pioneers in digging into construction techniques. I imagine plane making was always part of boat building traditions and boat building was something Cecil Pierce grew up around. A lot more information about traditional plane making has surfaced since Mr. Pierce started making planes. Looking at his techniques left me admiring the amount of work he was willing to expend to make a plane.

   We started out by making plane making tools. We're still in the process of refining floats and other tools. Information about traditional plane makers' tools is a lot easier to find than information about traditional plane making techniques. Between surviving early planes and plane making tools we've managed to reverse engineer to arrive at something close to what was probably done in the past.

   I made a number of Krenov style planes in the late 70's and in some ways they're more difficult than traditional planes. One part of Cecil Pierce's book that does stick with me is his description of watching a video about making Krenov style planes. I know just how he felt.

   Edited 4/11/2002 8:38:19 AM ET by Larry Williams

2. 
   vanderpooch | Apr 11, 2002 09:35pm | #9

   interesting...

   have you ever thought of teaching a class? marc adams school or some other venue, or maybe a book? maybe i just need to do more internet digging. now that i am teaching woodworking, a traditional plane might be a good project. i could leave it set up on the bench and peck away at it between classes..... i've always felt i would miss out on some of the subtleties of making a traditional plane if i ventured out on my own i that direction, plus the one's i've made work pretty well :) the article on your site has some good technical info... just might be time to try it out....

   thanks for the response, and if you can reccommend info online, i'd love to see it.

   -kit

3. 
   sschefer | Apr 11, 2002 09:44pm | #10

   ShopNotes Volume 11, Issue 61 page 26 has a set of plans for an "Adjustable Hand Plane" I've been thinking about making it myself. You might find the article on their website: http://www.shopnotes.com 

   Steve - in Northern California

   Edited 4/11/2002 3:20:12 PM ET by Steve Schefer

4. 
   lwilliams | Apr 12, 2002 02:44am | #11

   Hi Kit,

   Actually, I am teaching a plane making class. One of the things I have to do tonight is to complete all the forms for an October class in plane making at Arrowmont. I have to admit I was flattered to receive the offer to teach at a place with the prestige of Arrowmont. I just need to get all my ducks in a row and make it worthwhile for anyone who might attend.