Handplane Fundamentals: Flat and Smooth

Comments

1. 
   bBrickey | Dec 17, 2016 07:00am | #1

   Nice series and a good refresher on hand planes. I especially liked the card scraper episode. The card scraper is an awesome and simple tool!

2. 
   wayne82 | Dec 17, 2016 02:14pm | #2

   Outstanding series - I can see how to refine my techniques in using my hand planes and perhaps lessen my reliance on sandpaper!
   wayne82

3. 
   GregNWW | Dec 18, 2016 03:51pm | #3

   Thanks for this excellent series! Just the right level of detail for someone getting started with handplanes like myself. I appreciated the focus on a small set of planes (along with scrapers and sharpening gear), and the culminating table project beautifully shows how they can be used together to build furniture. I expect I will review this series many times as I become more experienced with handplanes.

4. 
   LarryRagan | Dec 18, 2016 05:12pm | #4

   I'm a 70yo starting wood worker (retired hobbyist). I know that along with my machines, I will want to use hand planes to do exactly what Mike did in this course, i.e., make some tables for my house (amongst other things). This series has been a refresher/new idea course for me. I’m learning new practices from many accomplished wood workers. Mike is one of the best teachers whom I have enjoyed greatly watching.

5. 
   whansen | Dec 22, 2016 09:48am | #5

   Thank you, Mike, for sharing your confidence and ability with those of us who are striving to make better use of our hand planes. I always enjoy watching your videos because your quiet confidence is infectious - it makes me want to get out to the shop and make some fine wood shavings.

6. 
   user-6511740 | Jan 18, 2017 01:24pm | #6

   Nicely done series. Thank you.

7. 
   Staebler | Jan 24, 2017 01:58pm | #7

   Outstanding teachings on hand planes. I have been woodworking for 35 years and I learned a lot!! Excellent work Mike!

8. 
   user-4101534 | Feb 07, 2017 06:39pm | #8

   Fantastic series. As a total beginner I have gained invaluable information about the different planes, how and where to use them as well as how maintain to them properly. Thank you.

9. 
   Doc_Holmes | Mar 08, 2017 10:40pm | #9

   I completely enjoyed Mike's instruction on hand planes. I've been a novice user for years and still learned some great tips watching him. I recommend this series highly.

10. 
    user-6889200 | Jul 22, 2017 04:36am | #10

    Wow! that was great, Thanks a lot Mike.

11. 
    user-2483224 | Sep 16, 2017 03:52pm | #11

    Good instruction on the basics. I was wondering if the tenon tightness would cause problems when you add glue due to the swelling of the wood.

12. 
    TDup | Sep 24, 2017 10:06am | #12

    Excellent series, I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning from an expert. Motivated to add to my collection and make some shavings.

13. 
    user-6929059 | Oct 12, 2017 07:50pm | #13

    This was a great series. I have been woodworking for around 70 years and only in the last couple have I learned to sharpen plane irons and chisels so they really work. Now to put into practice what Michael has presented!

14. 
    OldBuggerToo | Nov 17, 2017 09:03pm | #14

    Old dog, learning new tricks. At 66 I'm just taking up woodworking, and use of hand tools is my chosen path. The video series was outstanding for me because, while basic, it helps me to get the foundational elements established. Thanks Mike, well done!

15. 
    speedsparky | Dec 29, 2017 08:44pm | #15

    These are great lessons on hand tools,

16. 
    gocats | Jan 18, 2018 01:03pm | #16

    Excellent series Mike. I echo the comments of several of the others, and really enjoy your approach.

17. 
    dlbfw | Feb 14, 2018 02:01pm | #17

    Great course Mike. Inspiring! Many thanks.

18. 
    PlayerOne | Mar 11, 2018 07:51pm | #18

    Excellent series. Self-taught woodworking from books, articles, videos, and only recently subscribed to membership of any woodworking network. This series alone made me glad to have subscribed, can't wait to see what other great content there is on Fine Woodworking. Time to go make some shavings!

19. 
    Zenworker | Mar 13, 2018 11:31pm | #19

    It's amazing what a difference a video makes. You can read about what a sharp plane does, see pictures of it. But seeing one pushed through timber gives you a much better idea of what you're ultimately aiming for.

    Similarly with watching the actual honing process. The video allows us to almost feel what this should feel like.

    One improvement suggestion - attach a few notes on the important details (eg the waterstone grits used, grit of flattening stone etc).

20. 
    PlayerOne | Mar 25, 2018 04:25am | #20

    Came back for another comment/question. Having seen the difference in finish between a sanded and hand planed surface, I was surprised to see that you like to go over a smoothing planed surface with sandpaper afterwards, especially since Mike is such a big fan of hand planes. I'm not sure if you're still monitoring this video series' comments Mike, but is there no other way to see if there are any tearouts other than using sand paper? or are you using a very higher grit such that it doesn't take away the hand-planed finish look, and if so, how high a grit? or is there another reason why you're ok with sandpaper after a smoothing-planed surface.

    Thanks again for great series, always looking to learn!

1. 
   BenStrano | Mar 25, 2018 07:18pm | #21

   Great question. I think I'll ask to answer it on a podcast.

21. 
    user-5393046 | May 01, 2018 10:28am | #22

    Excellent series by a master and excellent teacher, thanks Mike!

22. 
    GaryK60 | Sep 08, 2018 06:25am | #23

    Makes more confident into going to the wireless wood working thanks Man :-D

23. 
    TXYZ | Dec 19, 2018 06:42pm | #24

    Thanks Mike for a great series. I really appreciate your teaching style. Not only do you provide excellent guidance but the rationale behind them. Pulling all of the episodes together with a completed project was helpful in consolidating the information.

24. 
    schilde | Nov 18, 2022 12:17pm | #25

    Thank you for this comprehensive series. In all of your video courses, you are clear and give me a sense of confidence. Many, many thanks!