grain orientation of plane tote
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- This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 8 months ago by phillnleblanc.
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19 July 2020 at 7:55 pm #670401
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.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.19 July 2020 at 8:47 pm #670419Get 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 straighter19 July 2020 at 9:13 pm #670424[postquote quote=670419]
yep — 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.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.9 August 2020 at 12:44 am #673173hmm – can you identify the planes in the photo by manufacturer? Looks like a Veritas low angle on the right end. Thanks
10 August 2020 at 12:32 pm #673341wow! 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.
10 August 2020 at 4:25 pm #673369Hi,
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,
BenoîtAttachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.10 August 2020 at 5:44 pm #673374looks 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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