Popular Woodworking 2008-04 № 168, страница 28
Junk to Jewel How to turn cheap wooden planes into workshop treasures. Arts & Mysteries BY ADAM CHERUBINI A wooden jewel. It may not look like much, but this $10 plane is one of my workshop jewels. When its blade is sharp, it can do a passable job on this curly cherry. j^^^ever before have such a wide variety of handplanes been available to woodworkers. If you're looking for a new plane, but aren't sure which one to buy, I recommend an antique wooden plane. Old wooden planes, found inexpensively at flea markets, antique shops and online, offer excellent performance. I like their light weight and thick, laminated blades. And there's nothing like the smooth feel ofwood on wood. Because they are made of wood, they're easily repaired by woodworkers like us! In this article, I'll discuss why I think anyone wondering about their next plane purchase should choose an antique plane. Selecting a Plane, Noting the Defects Dirt and grunge can hide defects so examine potential purchases carefully. Ensure all three parts (body, iron(s), and wedge) are present and mate. Sellers sometimes mix and match plane irons and wedges. The wedges should fit well and their color should match the body. If possible, inspect the iron. Avoid planes with rusty irons (been in a bucket outside kind of rusty). Deep pits can be difficult to remove. Also, see how much steel is left. I've had a few bad experiences with very short plane irons. I prefer the iron to extend beyond the wedge so I can tap the iron without hitting the wedge accidentally. I've also found some short irons that are too soft. It may be that the steel wasn't hardened that far up or the temper could have been lost at the grinder. When buying online, sometimes what you get isn't what you were expecting. Studying the photos can help reduce "eBay shock," but it happens. Some sellers will allow you to return items. My feeling is that I may have to buy two or three planes to get one good item. When the prices are low, I feel this is an inexpensive alternative to more expensive tools. And I often find uses for the rejects. These days, there are few planes I can't "resurrect." And a basket-case plane may yield a decent wedge, blade, tote or rift-sawn beech for repairs. Cataloging and Conditioning Every old plane comes with a story about how it was made by the seller's grandfather (whose name was Ohio Tool). It's important to smile and nod, then assume the tool came from a faraway land with a climate wholly unlike your own. Planes from wet climates moved to dry areas can shrink dramatically and quickly. I'm convinced this is the cause of cracked cheeks. I think the plane bodies shrink around the unmoving plane iron. So step one, carefully remove the iron and wedge. Inspect the plane, noting maker and owner's marks to ascertain whether it's wise to use the plane. I prefer to let new acquisitions acclimate to my shop's relatively stable humidity for a month before tuning. While the iron is out of the body, give the iron a long soak in kerosene. Kerosene dissolves grunge and finds its way under rust, making it easier to remove. Clean the Body Clean wooden components with a 10 percent solution of ammonia and water. I use 26 ■ Popular Woodworking April 2008 PHOTOS BY THEAUTHOR |
