Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Bill; I use the below web site all the time to determine the age and type of Stanley hand planes. Hope this helps.
How to Identify Stanley Hand Plane Age and Type (Type Study Tool)
Hi Ben; I’ve been struggling with much the same issue. Although I’m in the northwest, where I’m located is semi-remote from the big lumber mills. So far for me, I’ve had to use big box store common wood and laminate it to get the pieces I want. I am experimenting with buying 16 foot 2x12s from the big box stores. I ask them to cut them into 8 foot lengths so I can manage them better. Then, using a table saw, I cut the center pith out of the 2x12s. My experiment is not finished yet as I’m waiting on the wood to dry better. So far the results have been promising, i.e., little warpage or twist. And yes, I am jealous of the folks east of the Rocky Mountains that have access to southern yellow pine. Although douglas fir is a great building material, I find it difficult to work with for furniture. Other’s ideas are most welcome. Hope this helps 🙂
I have no clue about that eBay seller. However, I have two sets of WorkZone (Aldi) chisels without a pouch. My son bought me both sets. I’ve been using one, and really like them. However I do have one set in a package never opened. I don’t know what the rules here are about selling stuff, but if its allowed maybe we could figure out a way for me to send the unopened one to you. It would basically cost you shipping. And if it would make it easier, I could also sell them on eBay and send you the link. eBay would cost a bit more since eBay will charge me as a seller. NOTE: I do NOT want to violate any rules this forum has! 🙂
Welcome to the wonderful world of amateur woodworking. 🙂
A couple of years ago I faced the same dilemma. After some searching on YouTube I discovered where someone had built a portable workbench that could be clamped to a table. So I purchased a $20 small vice from Lowe’s, attached it to the portable workbench I built (2x4s and plywood). The portable workbench was only 2 feet x 4 feet on top with a depth of about 5 inches. Did it move a lot? Yes, but worked well enough to give me initial confidence that I could learn and do. I then built my current bench following Paul’s garden bench videos. Hopefully this helps.
And don’t forget, what Paul has said for many years; ‘You can do it.’‘Matt; I too went down the Harbor Freight path when I first started. I spent lots of time trying to get the plane to work like I saw on Paul’s videos. I finally gave up and was fortunate enough to get a Stanley #4 from eBay. Knowing what I know today, maybe I could fettle the Harbor Freight plane to get it to work. Even with the #4 I got from eBay, it was challenging since there was no one to bounce ideas or questions or check that I was doing things right. Was it the plane or me? One of the best things I did was build Paul Seller’s garden bench. Lots of planing. It was good for me to learn how to read/feel (physical & mental) the wood. I’m still learning how to do that. One thing that did help me was I was fortunate enough to attend a Woodcraft demo where they were sharpening a WoodRiver 5 1/2. As part of the demo they let us each try the plane after it was sharpened. I realized I had been doing just fine with sandpaper on glass and eventually diamond plates. I could ‘feel’ the sharpness. It was a great confidence booster because I realized that ‘some’ of what Paul was teaching was getting through. Today I was planing the top/bottom of a chisel box I’m making for my son. Those shavings were coming off just like in Paul’s videos (no I’m not near as good as he is – just an old man making progress). I still have issues sharpening, i.e., keeping the edge square, but I’m working on that. Hope this helps in some small way and keep your eyes on eBay and local estate sales. There are good buys out there.
Thayne’If you are in the USA, I would suggest a small portable vise from Lowe’s, Irwin brand. I believe they are about $20 US. That’s where I started. I built a small portable bench out of plywood, and clamped it to a larger table when needed. Worked very well for me to begin with. I still have the vise and might some day attach it to the end of the Paul Seller’s garden bench I built as a tail vise. Hope this helps. 🙂
-
AuthorPosts