Tag Archives: Handplanes

Just Plane Round

An exercise in dowel-making without a lathe.

By Charles Bender
Pages: 46-49

From the February 2012 issue #195
Buy the issue now.

During my formative years as a woodworker my instructor, Werner Duerr, taught many lessons both subtle and gross. Sometimes it wasn’t until years later that I learned the benefit. Toward the end of the first year, students were required to make a box with different compartments to hold nails. The project was timed and had to be completed using both hand and power tools but the bulk of the work had to be done by hand. The handle, in particular, was allowed to be made only by hand. To make a wooden cylinder without the aid of a lathe was one of the subtler lessons in planecraft Werner taught me.

WEB SITE: Visit the Acanthus Workshop web site for a schedule of upcoming classes.
IN OUR STORE: “Cabriole Legs Simplified,” a DVD from Chuck Bender. Read more »

Christopher Schwarz DVD Combo Pack

Here’s a great gift idea, at a 27 percent savings! Included in the DVD Combo Pack: “The Last Word On Sharpening,” “Build an 18th-century Workbench,” ” Handplane Basics – A Better Way to Use Bench Planes” and “Build a Sawbench with Christopher Schwarz.” Click here to buy this DVD collection now. Read more »

Mouldings in Real Time

There is a lot of nutty, stupid boasting in our craft. Examples: I can build that highboy in a weekend. I can rip faster than a table saw. I can eat more pies than you. But one of the boasts that gets the most eye-rolling is this: I can cut mouldings faster than you can … Read more »

A Look at H.O. Studley’s Blades

When I inspect an antique tool – especially one that hasn’t been messed with much – I always take a look at the cutting edge. How was it sharpened? What is the shape of the edge? Did they do any work on the unbeveled face of the blade. Usually, the edges of most vintage tools … Read more »

Konrad Sauer Reinvents the Panel Plane

Whether you love them or hate them, the English form of the infill plane has remained almost unchanged since it was invented in the 19th century. An infill plane is a metal shell that is stuffed – or infilled – with beautiful wood that supports the iron and helps you grip the tool. Perhaps this … Read more »

Jeff Miller: Modern With an Old-tool Streak

In my book, Jeff Miller might just be one of the keys to the future of woodworking. The furniture he’s built during the last three decades is decidedly contemporary. It has clean lines, simple curves and impeccable joinery and wood selection. Yet Miller manages to fold a surprising number of traditional tools into his tool … Read more »

Make Square Rabbets – Theory and Practice

I’ve been using rabbet planes for years and I have made my peace with them. However, there are thousands of woodworkers out there who are driven to distraction by these simple and essential planes. I hope to help you eliminate the two most common errors that lead to rabbets with sloping shoulders and angled cheeks. … Read more »