Early Access Video: Hidden Flaws in Wooden Planes
Added 2022-07-16 11:00:06 +0000 UTCFriends:
I’m finally coming to the end of COVID. After two weeks, I feel mostly healthy, although my energy is still low. If you have already been through this illness, my heart goes out to you.
Luckily, we began a video before I got sick and I’ve been feeling well enough to finish it up. This week, I’m happy to present a deep dive into a mysterious wooden plane. This is rare and historical tool that can teach us a lot about the origins of American plane making. Even better, it’s a valuable example of things to look out for when buying vintage planes to use in the shop. Even I didn’t know what I’d find when I began the video, and there are a lot of surprises.
I’m still not quite feeling myself, so please excuse me if you’re waiting for a reply to a message. I’ll catch up with all my communications on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!
--Rex
Comments
And please people, don't do this. Egg crates have a small, but minimal absorption. More than absorb, they scatter the sound which can then hit absorbing surfaces and that helps reduce echo. But, they are a fire hazard. A major fire hazard. A major, major fire hazard. The ignition temperature is low and the flame spread potential is high. Wood is actually not a huge fire hazard. But plastic foams, fabrics, and paper products that haven't been fire treated are bad. Don't install materials on your walls that hasn't been properly tested or treated.
Ralph T. Muehleisen
2022-07-23 14:29:00 +0000 UTCWhy's it called a tote and not a handle?
A1BASE
2022-07-20 21:54:19 +0000 UTCInteresting, i agree with your points but come to the opposite conclusion. Since the iron isn’t original, wouldn’t you have every motivation to mess with the iron till it fit. If the mouth is good and the iron’s width is good enough to prevent chattering, grind that screw down until it fits. Obviously i cant see a lot of the other this and that, but i have a few wooden planes where i just had to correct a replacement iron to get a beautiful user.
Benjamin Fouty
2022-07-19 20:35:37 +0000 UTCFor the mass-produced planes that can't be salvaged, would the wood itself be worth repurposing into a project? This is older hardwood, possibly even old-growth? I like this idea because the wood can see life again and not be buried in an antique shelf and then later thrown away
Carl Schultz
2022-07-19 00:33:53 +0000 UTCI find it very interesting the difference between here in Canada and the US. All the jointers I've seen here, on Vancouver Island, are 21". I'm pretty sure that the planes are hand made as well. They have chisel marks in the mortise, throat, wedge, abutments, and the edges are simply cut off to make "rounded" edges, just a 45 degree bevel. The totes I've seen here are by and large simply open totes, largely centred, though I've seen a few odd offset totes. pretty sure they are hand made. But are they craftsman or factory hand made? Hmm?
William Allen
2022-07-18 16:57:49 +0000 UTCGreat clip! Good to have you back in the shop!!
Stefan Blümke
2022-07-18 11:39:55 +0000 UTCThank you for your insightful video. I love old wooden planes but I am a noob and just haven't been able to gain the experience yet. I think I will work on building my own rather than restoring old ones. From Cleveland to Cleveland. Great content Rex
Charles Drake
2022-07-18 10:50:08 +0000 UTCThat actually works, because you increase the surface area, and because the (soft) cardboard (actually some sort of paper mash) absorbs some of the soundwaves. It also soundproofs the space it is applied to. Another way to reduce echo is to hang sheets of fabric on the ceiling...
Frans van Ballegooijen
2022-07-16 23:48:08 +0000 UTCEcho is more distinct on hard shiny surfaces. Pretty much anything that breaks up. redirects, and even absorbs acoustic energy will work to more or less an extent. The real trick is to make it shop safe as many such materials end up being flammable.
Tom Manseau
2022-07-16 20:39:11 +0000 UTCThank you for the new video Rex. So glad to see you healing, even if slowly. Do take the time to get over this morass. My neighbor came down with COVID on the 16th of June and is still suffering from the fatigue. Just give yourself the time your body needs. We are a patient lot or we wouldn't be working with wood.
Matt Evans-Koch
2022-07-16 15:39:59 +0000 UTCInteresting video, makes you wonder if this was not a flee market find who stuck the wrong iron in there. Maybe it was a trophy too for the last user. If it is really old it could have has passed through several hands. BTW I never had problem with the quality of your videos. Your material and presentation more than compensated for those minor issues. Even less so with today’s “echo”. Still I’m a believer in the process of continuous improvement. You don’t become stale among other things.
Richard C von Brecht
2022-07-16 14:34:05 +0000 UTCHeard an interesting story about echo in a school chorus room. I won’t bore you with all the details, but the solution was to staple egg crates to flat surfaces. Worked very well.
Thrifty Woodworker
2022-07-16 14:32:33 +0000 UTCI really enjoy your forensic investigation videos. Knowing the history behind tools, furniture is fascinating. Thank you Rex. Get well, take it slow!
John Hiemstra
2022-07-16 13:43:46 +0000 UTCGood to hear! Having avoided it until now, I tested positive this morning and I consider myself to have a mild case but I still can barely move my carcass off the sofa, let along do actual stuff. Take care!
Mike Smith
2022-07-16 13:12:53 +0000 UTCTotally agree
Shanni Marmen
2022-07-16 13:08:41 +0000 UTCoh yes indeed. But the rest of the video was very interesting! The plane would make a great conversation piece! :)
Daniel Bohrer
2022-07-16 12:58:09 +0000 UTCCool video take it easy until you are 💯 👍
The Super-wrench Garage
2022-07-16 12:50:03 +0000 UTCHappy to hear that you are doing better now but take your time to fully recover. I love these little deep dives into the history of old tools and the story behind them. Thanks for this great little video Rex
Hagen
2022-07-16 12:38:13 +0000 UTCI don't know if it's a problem on your end or on my end, but the video ended abruptly near the end, like the last few seconds were chopped off. It did that twice. I was watching via the YouTube app on my Firestick. Whatever the case, great video and get back to 100% health soon.
Brian Taylor
2022-07-16 12:37:12 +0000 UTCGetting covid sucks. Took me several weeks to get back to normal. This video though just crashed my hopes of getting my tri-plane up and running. The iron is worn right out and I was hoping of getting a longer one to use. Alas, won't be the case. Has the same feature with the wedge as you pointed out. So, it's going up on a shelf as a decorative piece. Also it has no strike button on the front.
Philip Edmondson
2022-07-16 12:14:58 +0000 UTCVery cool. I run into similar thoughts with certain old cameras. It takes a lot to get those things going and sometimes, a shelf queen is the best role these things can play.
Sean McGown
2022-07-16 12:10:36 +0000 UTCContine to get back to 100% Rex. Your health is far more important. That being said, thank you for the video. Bob
Robert Mitchell
2022-07-16 12:09:11 +0000 UTCHopefully you will be feeling better soon. Also, I'm sure you are aware that the video cuts off at the end abruptly. Hopefully any others associated with your production and got Covid are also feeling better.
Marc Barash
2022-07-16 11:34:03 +0000 UTCGet well soon, Rex! Also, be on the look out for something called "post-viral fatigue syndrome" it is normally to be fatigued for a couple of weeks after a serious viral illness, but I was laid up for nearly 10 weeks with the fatigue.
Martin Hartley
2022-07-16 11:24:37 +0000 UTCThe video seems to be a few seconds too short.
Shanni Marmen
2022-07-16 11:16:10 +0000 UTC
