Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
I know that Paul has a 30 degree bevel on his chisels when they come from the factory, and then he creates the micro camber. Anyone know the angle of the plane irons? I’ve been using a honing guide for the past few months after having dismal results at hand sharpening, but now that I’ve got a bench, I’d like to try freehand sharpening again.
I am an absolute beginner, and my workbench is the first project I’ve made with hand tools. Although there are a couple of things I don’t love about my bench, it turned out great. Most importantly though, although the boiled linseed oil isn’t even fully cured and my vise isn’t lined yet, but I’m already using my bench to create other things. This bench will teach you to use your tools and give you the confidence you need to make anything you want, and the design is forgiving. This project is meant to inspire us and show us that we really can create amazing things by hand.
That said, I wonder if your stock might be holding you back. I’ve planed some oak that had some crazy grain, and every direction I tried to go, I got tear out and it was just impossible. I was trying to make a straight edge, and it became clear I wasn’t going to end up with a straight edge. For a while I thought that was just the way oak is, but then I ended up planing another piece that planed beautifully. Some wood is just easier to work with than others, and for this project I think you really want something that’s easy to work. Down the road when you have the confidence and experience to navigate the crazy grain on your teak, you can use it for a beautiful patio table or something like that. But for now, maybe try cedar. Find some with some nice straight grain, and I think you’ll have your bench together in no time.
The blades are old, I’m assuming. I purchased the plane on ebay, so I don’t know the history, but returns aren’t an option. I’ve seen the videos on making a plane blade, and I don’t think these would be too difficult. But, after doing a bit of googling, it looks like a set of replacement irons is available inexpensively, and veritas irons will also work.
@dbockel2 I used the poor man’s router for tenons on my workbench legs, but overall, I didn’t get a great finish and found it difficult to use. Most likely user error, but I decided before I cut my recesses I would try to make something a little easier to use. With a veritas iron I was able to make something that worked really well in an afternoon, and the leg recesses in my workbench aprons came out very clean.
I was watching that discussion myself, unable to justify the purchase of a new or used router. I ended up making a router similar to this one, and it works surprisingly well. Not everyone lamenting the price of a tool is an investor–some of us really do want to use them.
I’ve actually been trying to figure out this same thing. I’ve explored wall cabinets, French cleat tool racks, and a variety of tool chests. I decided portability is my biggest priority. Also, since I do a lot of woodwork in front of my house in the warmer months while my kids are riding their bikes around, I’d like to be able to lock my box to lessen crimes of opportunity. Most likely I’ll make a Dutch tool chest. It seems to fit all my requirements right now, and it’s not an expensive or time intensive project. Eventually I’d like my workshop to be insulated and heated, and my kids won’t need need as much supervision in a few years. At that point my tool collection will be more settled as well, and I will build something more permanent if I feel it’s necessary.
@ed, that’s one of my problems. And considering I don’t really have a good 45 degree reference, I’m wondering if I would need to have it machined. At that point, I might as well just get myself a good combination square instead.
@davering, I also don’t have the scribe, so I’m guessing that would reduce the value as well. It does have all the screws, including the pointy one. I was able to use it as a beam compass using the ruler I have (it has a hole in the end).@ed I agree my calculations are probably off. I just took measurements with my digital calipers and calculated the angle. When I put the rooftop into a square it didn’t line up though, so I know it’s off. When I use a knife to make lines, the are not parallel.
@lorenzojose, I was hoping harbor freight still made it so I could pick up a replacement scribe for cheap. My brother does a lot of metal work though, and he thinks help be able to make a new scribe easily. I don’t have the original ruler, but I do have one that works perfectly.
@davering, that was my first though when I discovered the angle wasn’t true. Five minutes with some sand paper could potentially fix that though, but then the top wouldn’t have the plating. If I made any adjustments to the ruler track, then it would affect the square which is accurate. I know you can tap a frame square with a hammer to change the angle, so I’m wondering if something like that would work.
At the end of the day, it’s cute and I’m a woman who loves pretty tools. I really want it to work!
-
AuthorPosts