Handle Hardware

I just got some rod for the handle nuts. Its stainless steel and is 3/8" wide. When I make the tote, I will cover the process of making the nuts.

New Sharpening Stone

I just bought a combination water stone from the Japan Woodworker. It is a King 800/4000 grit stone. After sharpening all my tools, I have concluded that my previous sharpening tools were about as useful as trying to sharpen blades with toothpaste. Before, I have had assorted sharpening devices. The first, was none at all. I didn't know that you were even supposed to sharpen. I thought once a blade got dull, you just got a new one. The second "solution" was a file. Horrible, I know, but it didn't last too long. Then I moved to an extremely slow cutting oil stone. It was about 500 grit. And the last(before this King) was sand paper on glass. I have heard good things about this system, that its the only system you need, but I could only find sandpaper up to 600 without going to an auto store.

Mission Footstool Project

I'm making a simple footstool, it's in the mission style and is all quatersawn white oak.

Later, I will make a post on how to cut the tenons the way I did in the photos here.

Bevel-up plane project

An update on the bevel- up plane. I haven't done any work on it, because I'm trying to decide what to do for a lever cap. the material is available on-line, but the shipping costs are enormous for the tiny amount I need. I think I might use stainless-steel, if I can find it locally. Clifton planes use it and they really are quite beautiful.

The looting of Geneva

While away from home, I visited many antique shops. I found a drawknife, a Millerfalls #5 plane, and a Stanley #78 in excellent condition with the small exception that it was missing all of its parts. They were all bought for $5 each. While at a store I noticed some unusual tools. There was a plane that looked like a Stanley bedrock (it had flat sides), except that the lever cap said V&B, (or maybe it was just VB). I assume that makes it a Victor Bailey. Also their numbers were in the 900's. They were about $125 each (there were two sizes, a 903 and a 905).
The Miller Falls plane had a hideous black painted lever cap. I filed most of it off. Here is the end result (shown on my Groz #4):
(I think it looks very classy.) The Miller Falls also had quite a thick blade. It was very close to 1/8". Unfortunately, it is very chipped and I don't have a grinder.

Vacation time

While on vacation, I managed to get my woodworking fix in. I built a rustic stool out of firewood. It was built completely with a railroad spike, and small nails.

Handles

I made my handles for my plane out of walnut, because that was what I had on hand. I made the tote a four finger grip and the knob a sort of hybrid between the old stanley style and the really old stanley style.
Since I don't have a lathe I carved the knob with a coping saw, a four-in-hand, and a scraper. It took a while.

Introduction to Bevel-up Plane Project

Recently I bought a tiny antique block plane that seems to be similar to a Stanley 102. It has no make or number. It also differs from the Stanley in that the lever cap is held down by a screw (instead of a bar). Its lever cap is also unique, it does not have any system of tensioning the cap across the blade except for the main screw.The goal of this project is to change the plane into a bevel-up smoother.
(Here is a very rough preview.)
First I will attach a plate to the bed to increase blade contact and reduce chatter.
I simply drilled holes through the plate and body and then tapped the body ones. If you do this you must open the mouth up to allow for the added thickness of the plate. It also allows you to fine tune the mouth size.This is the plane with the bed plate installed. The plates in the back were installed the same way. They are 1/8 hot-rolled steel. I used 4-40 screws. The back plates are installed to facilitate the addition of a tote, since the body wasn't long enough on its own. They also provide a thicker surface for tapping for the threaded rod for the handles. When everything is how I want it, I will countersink the screw holes from the bottom and lightly peen them over.

My Workshop

This is my bench where I work, it's very basic. It is a piece of ply over some legs with an inexpensive vice mounted. I also have a metalworking vice to its left.
I store most of my tools on an open shelf, or on a pegboard.
My tool collection is very modest, most are not even mine.
I also get alot of work out my grandfather's miter saw.

Welcome

Hello, I'm the Woodshop Bug -- here to tell you about my workshop time.
My main interest is hand tools (I use them exclusively, except for a hand held electric drill), although I don't have much against power tools. I don't have a large collection of them because of their price and the fact that hand tools are so enjoyable to use.
In this blog, I will cover what I do in my shop, which includes toolmaking, furniture making, and wood- and metal-working techniques.

Thank you for reading, please contact me with any comments, suggestions, or requests.