grain orientation of plane tote
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we all know that plane totes tend to split along the horizontal axis, where the most lateral force is applied, due to traditional direction of grain. My theory is that manufacturers have sacrificed function for the sake of trying to keep the horn from breaking off. (same with saw handles) Has anyone tried making a tote with grain running vertical or maybe 45 degrees in relation to the sole? – Or maybe laminating material in opposing grain direction – or maybe running splines or dowels through the end grain? I’d be interested to know if anyone out there has built a better mousetrap before I go trying to reinvent the wheel. (how’s that for a mixed metaphor?) – Thanks.
Get you a crotch with the branch at ninty degrees and that will solve your problem.
I think the horn is very necessary. I had a saw with a broken one and when remade my hand fit it a whole lot better and my sawing was easier and straighterGet you a crotch with the branch at ninty degrees and that will solve your problem.
I think the horn is very necessary. I had a saw with a broken one and when remade my hand fit it a whole lot better and my sawing was easier and straighteryep — I do that with canes — trouble is I have to wait 2 years to dry out the branch. I wonder how much crotch wood is ground into saw dust instead of put to good use. Like my old Irish shillelagh. Only trouble with figured wood like that is that you never know what it looks like inside until you carve into it.
A set of totes by various plane makers. At least one appears to have the grain running along the long axis. Got a fair few from that company and the grain direction is the same on all totes.
Sven-Olof Jansson
London, UK; Boston, MAhmm – can you identify the planes in the photo by manufacturer? Looks like a Veritas low angle on the right end. Thanks
Please see attached photo
Sven-Olof Jansson
London, UK; Boston, MAwow! So that’s what they mean when they say “buy the best tool you can afford”. I’m gratified to see that some modern tool makers are not locked in to the Stanley Bailey pattern in every respect. Guess we’ll have to wait and see what 30 or 40 years of pushing those pretty totes ends up looking like. Thanks for your posting.
Hi,
I tried on the tote I have made for my plane, that the grain direction follow the horn, so the long fibers counter the splitting tendancy. See attached pictures.I have also notice in Paul’s video, he made the horn quite thick and bulky, and quite short. I guess that minimise the tendancy to split.
Best,
Benoîtlooks good. Hope it holds up to use. I like the horn just long enough to rest the crease of my thumb – same with a saw. The attached photos were an “experiment” with a piece of yellow pine decking because it happened to be the right thickness (1-1/4) – I was pleased with the appearance when it was finished, and it is holding up (so far). The wide grain almost makes the handle look laminated.
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