I am making what has become known as an English workbench. I’m not sure why this term became popular, possibly it is down to Chris Schwartz in his Workbench book where he identifies three broad traditions in bench design: French (oblong table with a heavy top); English (thin planks on top, one or more...
I am making what has become known as an English workbench. I’m not sure why this term became popular, possibly it is down to...
English workbench
the saw bench is surprisingly sturdy, but you can add two aprons to further brace the bench – they are attached with half lap dovetail joints.
I used a saw to remove the waste from the top part of the lap joints – what I meant to try (but forgot) was to have a go at splitting...
the saw bench is surprisingly sturdy, but you can add two aprons to further brace the bench – they are attached with half lap dovetail joints....
saw bench
You can strengthen the joints between legs and feet by ‘draw boring’. It is very easy to make your own dowels: I used a chisel to split a bit of an oak balustrade into roughly hexagonal pieces slightly larger that the 3/8” inch dowels I needed and then thumped them through a piece of...
You can strengthen the joints between legs and feet by ‘draw boring’. It is very easy to make your own dowels: I used a chisel...
saw bench
I am in the process of making a saw bench, my first attempt at making anything with hand tools. Needless to say I am making my fair share of mistakes.
I am making it from a couple of scaffold boards. The design is a bit convoluted compared to traditional saw benches, but hopefully this will...
I am in the process of making a saw bench, my first attempt at making anything with hand tools. Needless to say I am making...
saw bench
From the time Leonard Bailey introduced metal planes in the 1860s until quite recently they were supplied with thin irons. On paper this is a good thing: thin irons are an improvement on thick ones in as far as they are cheaper to make – since they use less material – and are easier to sharpen because...
From the time Leonard Bailey introduced metal planes in the 1860s until quite recently they were supplied with thin irons. On paper this is a...
bench planes
Although this article is about blades used in wooden planes there is an interesting parallel between the blade choices available to wooden plane users at the start of the 20th century and the choices facing metal plane users at the start of the 21st who must choose between thick vs thin irons.
Old wooden planes...
Although this article is about blades used in wooden planes there is an interesting parallel between the blade choices available to wooden plane users at...
bench planes
We already read about the importance of sharpening angles, camber is the other consideration when sharpening a plane cutter.
It is common to add a slight curve or “camber” when preparing a cutter to take off a lot of material – the curve means only a small section of the blade enters the wood initially and...
We already read about the importance of sharpening angles, camber is the other consideration when sharpening a plane cutter.
It is common to add a...
bench planes
Once you’ve ground the blade to to about the right angle then you need to hone it in order to create a keen edge. The experience of generations of craftsman has shown that grinding the blade at 25° and honing a few degrees steeper – around 30° – is a good practical approach for many woodworking...
Once you’ve ground the blade to to about the right angle then you need to hone it in order to create a keen edge....
bench planes
Once you have established the rough shape of the bevel the next step, referred to as honing or whetting, involves rubbing the iron against progressively finer abrasives until you are satisfied with the sharpness of the edge.
There are a couple of basic principles involved in how bench planes cut:
* The steeper the pitch of...
Once you have established the rough shape of the bevel the next step, referred to as honing or whetting, involves rubbing the iron against progressively...
bench planes
Traditional Methods
The traditional method for grinding a bevel on edge tools uses a mechanical grinder. This is the method typically described in historical woodworking books that explain the the methods of craftsman making furniture and joinery for a living.
Here are some extracts from the literature published in the 18th, 19th and 20th century...
Traditional Methods
The traditional method for grinding a bevel on edge tools uses a mechanical grinder. This is the method typically described in historical woodworking...
bench planes
Sharpening! A quick trawl of the internet reveals a bewildering array of opinions on this topic, and if you look a bit further afield you will find entire books covering the same. But don't be deterred: the basics can be understood and learned with a relatively modest investment in time and do not...
Sharpening! A quick trawl of the internet reveals a bewildering array of opinions on this topic, and if you look a bit further afield you...
bench planes
If you buy a new plane from Lie Neilsen, Veritas or some other high-end maker then you can rest assured it has been manufactured to very high tolerances and therefore won’t need any work (and if it isn’t you can always return it and ask for a replacement). However, in the event you...
If you buy a new plane from Lie Neilsen, Veritas or some other high-end maker then you can rest assured it has been manufactured to...
bench planes
Given the main purpose of bench planes is to smooth and flatten wood it is unsurprising that the sole of the plane should be flat, but views differ on exactly how flat it needs to make them work optimally.
Flatness standards
To understand why flatness is important we can consider the mechanics of the plane:...
Given the main purpose of bench planes is to smooth and flatten wood it is unsurprising that the sole of the plane should be flat,...
bench planes
The cap iron is the part of a bench plane that is held on top of the cutting iron with a shallow bolt. These two parts are then secured to the frog by pressure from the lever cap.
In old books, planes with this arrangement are often referred to as double irons for reasons that...
The cap iron is the part of a bench plane that is held on top of the cutting iron with a shallow bolt. These two...
bench planes
Here is what I learned about setting up and sharpening bench planes.
If you participate in any woodworking internet forums at some point you will stumble upon a debate about the best way set them up and sharpen the blade for use.
Sadly these debates are often marred by ill humour and repetitive argument.
Unsurprisingly...
Here is what I learned about setting up and sharpening bench planes.
If you participate in any woodworking internet forums at some point you will...
bench planes
This post describes how to refurbish a bench plane.
To show what can be done with even the most unpromising looking specimen, here is the worst example I purchased:
…it was made at some point between WWII and the mid-1950s and, as you can see from the photo of it dismantled, it has been painted...
This post describes how to refurbish a bench plane.
To show what can be done with even the most unpromising looking specimen, here is the...
bench planes
