Popular Woodworking 2004-02 № 139, страница 14WOODCRAFT UNIVERSITY There's a Woodcraft University location near you Birmingham Area Arizona Tempe Tucson California Orange County Sacramento San Francisco Bay Area Santa Rosa Colorado Colorado Springs Denver Connecticut Hartford Area New Haven Area Delaware Wilmington Florida Casselberry Clearwater Jacksonville Georgia Atlanta Area Evansvllle Indianapolis Iowa West Des Moines Kentucky Louisville Maryland Towson Massachusetts Springfield Wobum Michigan Canton Sterling Heights Minnesota Bloomlngton Missouri St. Louis Area New Hampshire Portsmouth Area New Mexico Albuquerque New York Albany Rochester North Carolina Charlotte Area Greensboro Raleigh Ohio Cincinnati Area Cleveland Area Columbus Area Dayton Oklahoma Oklahoma City Tutsa Oregon Eugene Portland Area Pennsylvania Harrlsburg Philadelphia Area Pittsburgh Area Rhode Island East Greenwrch South Carolina Charleston Tennessee Johnson City Knoxvllle Nashville Texas Austin Dallas Area Fort Worth Houston San Antonio Utah Salt Lake City Area Virginia Richmond Virginia Beach Washington D.C. Area Washington Seattle West Virginia Parkersburg Wisconsin Appleton/Fox Cities Area Madison Milwaukee Area Woodworker's Club: Connecticut Norwalk Maryland RockvJIle WOODCRAFT For your local woodcraft store, visit www.woodcraft.com, or for a free catalog, call 800 542-9115 Dept.04PW02BE CIRCLE NO. m ON FREE INFORMATION CARD. Letters 'Poop' was Promised, But Never Delivered Reader Still Wondering Why Certain Hand Planes are So Pricey In reading your response to "Why are Some Planes So Expensive?" (Q&A, November 2003) I was amazed at how good a job you did at not answering the question. I bet the person asking for the "straight poop on hand planes" was disappointed, too. In my experience, any hand plane needs to be tuned up whether it is new or used, regardless of price. By touching on some relevant points, such as body material (either cast or ductile iron), blade material (A2 tool steel or cryo-genically treated), blade thickness and overall design, you could have enlightened us as to why some planes truly are so expensive, thus giving him (and us) some "straight poop." Cody J. Niendorf Ashton, Idaho Editor's Note: While I didn't specifically mention ductile iron or A2 tool steel, I did say the premium planes are "better-made, better-machined and work extremely well." For a detailed discussion of the differences between low-cost and expensive planes, see our review of metal-bodied jack planes in the April 2002 issue (available for sale online). We examined materials and machining tolerances for a variety of inexpensive, mid-range and premium brands. - Christopher Schwarz, executive editor Hand-plane Connoisseur Curious About Endurance Test Statement I have been a hand-plane user and collector for the past 29 years. Since the mid-1980s, my collection of Lie-Nielsen planes has multiplied in my shop like rabbits! So I was puzzled why, in your tribute to the Lie-Nielsen low-angle jack plane (Endurance Test, November 2003) you suggest grinding the blade at 90°. Doing so does not make a scraper - it makes a blunt instrument. There are so many purpose-built scrapers available, ranging from a few dol 12 Popular Woodworking February 2004 lars to hundreds, any of which produce a fine shaving instead of pulverized dust, that I found this suggestion a bit of a stretch. It's hard to imagine why anyone would buy a $40 replacement blade and grind it off square! Peter R. Presnell Kneeland, California Editor's Note: Grinding the edge at 90° to make a scraper plane is something that works for me. I got the tip from Brian Boggs, a chairmaker in Berea, Ky., and have demonstrated it many times. I don't argue that a purpose-built scraper would be better, but you're going to spend more than $40 for a good one. - Christopher Schwarz, executive editor Table Saw Article Serves as Impetus For Reader to Fix His Own Machine I usually adjust my saws and equipment every so often, but I haven't had time lately to check the saw I recently purchased. Reading "Table Saw Tune-up" (November 2003) gave me an incentive to see how far off it was. I knew it was off a little, but was surprised to learn just how far off it was. Thanks. George A. Ulrick Jr. DeWitt, Nebraska continued on page 14 WRITE TO US Popular Woodworking welcomes letters from readers with comments about the magazine or woodworking in general. We try to respond to all correspondence. Published letters may be edited for length or style. All letters become the property of Popular Woodworking. How to send your letter: • E-mail: popwood@fwpubs.com • Fax:513-891-7196 • Mail carrier: Letters • Popular Woodworking 4700 E. Galbraith Road Cincinnati, OH 45236 |