The New Compass Rose Tool is here!

Hi Rex and folks! Just received my compassrose Router plane kit today. I’m very happy about it. Also I think that I’m the first and only owner here at the Canary Islands. Now need some time to make it work. Thank you very much!

Josué Nodarse

This is on my “give it to me for Father’s Day or I’m just gonna buy it” list. I was looking it up for my wife, but was blanking on “compass rose.” I would recommend linking from your main Rex Krueger site. Also probably link to the Rex site from the Woodworking for Humans site, or at least the plans sections. I had the latter pop up on a Google search and was confused why there were just a couple. Just nitpicks because I tend to look things up in between emails at work without YouTube up. Your work is amazing and genuinely inspiring. My garage is cleaner than it ever used to be because I’m sweeping sawdust and shavings almost daily 😂

Michael Messmore

If you ever do an update to the router plane instructions, it may be helpful for mention that if you have a m12 x 1.75 tap, you can tap the hole for the brass nut. I’m pretty experienced in metal and woodwork and I had the brass nut shift at an angle pretty badly when trying to cut the threads. For try number 2, if just figured out the thread pitch and tapped it and it went in like a dream

Michael Falbo

It looks like a fantastic kit and if I hadn't just got the Paul Sellers one for Christmas, I'd give it a go.

Ian Hampson

Awesome! Thanks!

Bradley Barth

Oh, stop! You'll do fine.

Rex Krueger

Hey! We just figured that out yesterday. Super-sorry about that. The replacement is already in the mail.

Rex Krueger

Got my kit and extra blades. Everything looks amazing. Only issue is that I am missing my extra 1/4" blade. I submitted a contact form from compassrosetools.com.

Bradley Barth

Pete Mackiewicz

Awesome job! This is a really impressive design and you really thought out everything. Ironic, though, that it would help to make the dado if you already had a router plane. :) I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Jason Sherman

Fair enough. I'll admit that part of why I said it is that most of my time here has been other places on the floor because I have so little laser work haha But for real, I feel like having some kind of maker mark on the tool would be good because then when future people look at it they'll know the origin. Whether or not it's last etching isn't really the point in the end, but personally being able to help with it would really be an honor for me. If there's a way to at least look into it and see if it's even a theoretical possibility, it would work my brain lol

Dana LaBerge

Yeah cheers, the checkout worked about an hour later and I ordered some blades. Thanks!

Andy Franqueira

I bet you do GREAT work, but the economics of tools is funny. Little changes can add up FAST.

Rex Krueger

Thank you!

Rex Krueger

The "affordable" plough is always on my mind.

Rex Krueger

You're so welcome!

Rex Krueger

You're the person we had in mind!

Rex Krueger

I will! Thank you!

Rex Krueger

You're not too late!

Rex Krueger

Well, we should be keeping these in stock. They'll be there for you!

Rex Krueger

Thank you!

Rex Krueger

Can't wait to see it!

Rex Krueger

Thank you!

Rex Krueger

I think the build video will give you a goo idea of what you need and whether or not you're ready. (You're probably ready.)

Rex Krueger

I'm glad you think so!

Rex Krueger

I believe we do ship there.

Rex Krueger

There's still hundreds!

Rex Krueger

I'm trying to order one last minute before they go on general sale, but the checkout is not working. Are they no longer available?

Andy Franqueira

Ordered! One at least will be shipped overseas to Spain. Thanks

Josué Nodarse

Hey Rex! I don't suppose you could ship to Japan? I think the hardware would probably fit in a padded envelope. I think I can manage the handle on my own.

Russell Neches

The blades may not be on sale, but the price is so good it looks like a sale price to me!

Michael Kahn

I don't think I have the skill to make this yet. Do you have a complete list of tools used to build this? I hope you will have this for sale in the future.

Madeleine Yeh

Almost forgot about this video. Glad I watched and got mine ordered.

Matt Stalford

It appears that dry humor does not translate well in this medium. Of course it's not rosewood. I don't know, however, I would not be surprised if the cost wouldn't be tripled (or more) if it were rosewood. I did not mean for this to become a sideshow.

Bill Brisky

Beautiful kit Rex. Hope I got mine ordered soon enough. Looking forward to building it. Thank you.

Matt Evans-Koch

It's a joke, but if I have to explain it obviously I missed;)

John Griswold

I was able to make a Traditional Router Plane, which used a chisel as a blade, and it would work, if needed, to make the newer design. Good job Rex!

Don Heselton

I was able to make a Traditional Router Plane, which used a chisel as a blade, and it would work, if needed, to make the newer design. Good job Rex!

Don Heselton

Definitely. I ordered!

Bradley Barth

Wow! That's totally super awesome! I especially love that you provide the wood, bolt with 2 nuts, TWO threaded inserts, ect. You provide EVERYTHING at a really reasonable price. I wish I could get this kit but I have no money. 😭

Jennessa Lynam

great. I placed my order shortly after the release of the video. I plan to build a second router for the "other iron" copying the dimensions of the kit.

Marc Barash

This is a crazy good price. One less thing on my bucket list. I needed a router plane. Thanks I just hope I’m not too late. These aren’t going stay in stock

Richard C von Brecht

I like the philosophy behind such a tool: simple, functional, and reliable. Thank you Rex and keep up the good work.

Azzedine Lazizi

Awesome! This is a great offer for a beginner like me. I've been looking for a Stanley but they're either too rich (for my budget) or in such a poor shape that I would have a whole other big project on my hands to restore it before I can even start using it. I'd rather spend my limited doing/learning woodworking than complex metal tool restoration work (I do want to get better at that too but at a later on). So this is great and I even get the satisfaction/pride of putting together.

Azzedine Lazizi

Ordered. Thank you so much for making this! I have been waffling on other router plane kits and delighted to buy yours! Thank you for making woodworking more accessible once again.

Carrie B

Hey Rex, great job! Order placed. Looking forward to building the router and doing a head-to-head test with Paul Sellers' kit. A Plow Plane using the same blades and retention method would be nice though the set screw may not be up to the task on wood with knots

Jeff Griest

Just placed my order. So excited!

Jon Rost

Don’t forget to post it in the Rex forum. I’m guessing the @moderators could be induced to add a thread just for showing off how these are used… router planes, plough planes, added fences. It would be a fun thread.

Meryl Logue

No you said ash, not sure where anyone got rosewood other than the name of your tool shop or something

Dana LaBerge

And you could use this one to make the slot in that one haha

Dana LaBerge

I run the laser etcher at the place I work and I feel like setting up something where people can, for a small extra charge maybe, have the CRTW logo laser etched into the tool somewhere. Maybe the back or side, maybe a small version on the blade somewhere or if the way. I don't know any details but I feel like it would be very satisfying to get to run some of these for people, knowing that these great tools will breast Rex's mark in more of a literal way. Speaking of which, Rex, you should talk to the place I work about maybe getting more stuff in future run through my laser. I think a little logo on things will make it easy more impressive and make people keep them longer. Just saying. I do good work and even sometimes I don't agree that a piece should go through but the boys said it's within tolerance lol. But it's definitely do my best work for the patrons for sure.

Dana LaBerge

They look great. And I am seriously considering coming out to Green Wood Live!

Sean O'Neill

I think you'll be happy with just the irons. I think they're very nice.

Rex Krueger

A few people have pointed out the perceived need for a router to build a router , but that slot only needs to be deeper than the blade. It doesn't need to be any specific depth and it doesn't need to be level. The other half of the body forms the bed and it's perfectly flat from the factory. You can cut that channel with just a chisel, no problem.

Rex Krueger

I hope I get to see it.

Rex Krueger

I'm embarrassed at how many people guessed right from my little preview. I thought I was being clever. Lesson learned.

Rex Krueger

I'm glad you think so. We worked very hard to keep the price right.

Rex Krueger

You're so kind to say to. Thanks for supporting us!

Rex Krueger

Thank you! Your support makes it all possible.

Rex Krueger

I just ordered the black nylon covers that will protect you from the teeth when you're not using them. We still have to figure out the screws and the packaging....(sigh)...I'd say next month is likely. I know that stop is a winner, but physical products are SO complicated.

Rex Krueger

The blades are really nice. They're thick, hardened, nicely ground. They're too good to keep on the shelf. I want people to make their own tools.

Rex Krueger

Oh, live a little. Get the whole thing!

Rex Krueger

What's hilarious is that our kit was already in the works when Paul's first came out. It was designed and being made (thanks, Russian invasion of Ukraine for messing that up). It's a delightful coincidence that his kit and mine are suited to different people.

Rex Krueger

Definitely not. A hard finish like poly wouldn't hurt anything, but it would also rub off over time. I would just leave the bottom raw.

Rex Krueger

We do what we can! The Czech Republic has a great track record of good tools at reasonable prices.

Rex Krueger

Most of them will ship Monday.

Rex Krueger

Honestly, Paul's design and others like it are part of why we're offering just the blades. His design is great, but maybe you want 2 blades in the common sizes. Build his with our blades.

Rex Krueger

Yup, it's ash. I don't think I said rosewood anywhere, did I?

Rex Krueger

That's EXACTLY what we were hoping to hear.

Rex Krueger

Thank you! I hope I get to see the finished product.

Rex Krueger

Great offer, Rex. I’ll probably look to order the irons and build my own version.

Sean O'Neill

It would appear that you need a router plane to build a router plane...truing the bottom of that blade dado;) Fortunately I have a Stanley. Will be ordering one for my guitar building, turns out the steel sole of the Stanley isn't friendly to spruce tops when I clean out the mortises and dados for the "bolt on, bolt off" neck joint (Gore/Gilet design) and the 1/4" cutter would be perfect for cleaning out rosette channels. Most folks do this with electric routers but so much more fun and less stressful w hand tools!

John Griswold

Looking forward to building this...and using it. Thanks Rex.

Dean Wight

My guess was slightly off lol, it’s a brill looking piece of kit tho :)

Jim

Awesome, that price is very reasonable

Michael Falbo

Ordered! Thank you for the effort that you’ve put into this project and your dedication to teaching practical excellence in woodworking.

Michael Gross

Fantastic! Thanks Rex; order placed!

Damion Stodola

When can we get the plane stop? :)

Richard Brown

Router plane looks awesome!

Richard Brown

I forgot about that, and you are correct. Thank you for showing me the error I almost made by not ordering.

Solia

April 1st is an interesting day to release a new product :) Looks great though, and its awesome you are offering the blades alone too.

David Bumpus

Very nice. Now to figure out if I get the kit or just the blades l. I did have my birthday yesterday so I can buy a gift for myself!

Bradley Barth

I think it's very cool that Rex and Paul Sellers are both offering router plane kits, both at roughly the same (affordable) price. Rex's kit provides everything you need and is a straightforward build, suitable for beginners but producing a professional-grade tool. With the Sellers kit you provide your own wood for the body and make your own handles, and is a more complex build suitable for someone who enjoys such things (like me). I think they are targeting slightly different segments of the same market, and are complementary to each other, not in competition. The winners are those of us in the woodworking community. Yay us!

Brian Taylor

I have the Paul Sellers one too, but I might still pick this one up, because the Paul Sellers is 3/8, where these blades are 1/4 and 1/2.

Nathan Blaubach

Would you finish the bottom with any coating?

Marc Barash

American ash

Brian Taylor

Wow, blades made in Czech Republic! Good work in getting Europe also in the business.

Tanel Mõttus

How soon will these ship?

Kyle Painter

Drat! I had just gotten the Paul sellers kit in the mail a week ago. I am curious however, How would the blades work if I make a Rabbet Plane with them?

Solia

Do I "need" a router plane? No. Did that stop me from ordering a new one, also no. I really like the 1/2" and 1/4" blade combo. Is it true that the body is solid Rosewood? Just curious....

Bill Brisky

I've been wanting a router plane for years but could never stomach how expensive they are. I've never ordered a tool faster, this sounds like exactly what I need.

Tang Dhummakupt

It is awesome. Order placed.

Brian Suker