Early Access Video: What makes a plane good or bad?
Added 2019-03-10 20:06:33 +0000 UTCFriends:
Hot of the heels of last week's video where I tuned up a cheap hardware store plane, I bring you this comparison of a bad plane and a good one. A lot of beginning woodworkers probably have no idea what makes one plane good while another is only mediocre. So, taking the Stanley 12-404 and a Stanley Sweetheart number 4, I set out to explain the construction and manufacturing that make a plane perform well and consistently.
I know I promised you all a very cheap and easy work-bench and I swear it's coming, but I have to knock out some custom work first. My kid needs a camp for the summer and that bill's not going to pay itself.
In the meantime, if there's an inexpensive plane you'd like to me to look at, let me know. Maybe I can get it into a video.
Happy Sunday!
--Rex
Comments
I kind of covered that in my video comparing old planed with REALLY old planes. The lack of adjustment screw is a real challenge. I pretty much do what you do; especially the lock it down and don't ever touch it again part. That screw is a real convenience, but don't let its absence ever keep you from buying a plane. Many of my daily users don't have it and once you get them set up (as you know) you'lll never even know it's missing.
Rex Krueger
2019-03-11 23:02:27 +0000 UTCJust an idea. Before I knew what I was doing when it comes to acquiring old tools (btw I still don’t know what I’m doing, probably never will), I bought some old Stanley, Wards Master, and other off brand planes without frog adjustment screws. It seems the only way to adjust these is to fiddle it around with a hammer until it’s set, then lock it down and never EVER touch it again. There are just so many planes out there without frog adjustment screws that can still be good planes, and they are usually dirt cheap. It might be worth mentioning your experience with adjusting these in some future video. Maybe there’s a clever setup block, or some secret incantation you know of. Also, thanks for the great video.
Jon Hall
2019-03-11 13:23:11 +0000 UTCI'm a bit less likely to do this one. Wood by Wright already did it and he and I share a lot of audience.
Rex Krueger
2019-03-11 10:24:03 +0000 UTCWay ahead of you, buddy. I just picked up the TayTools No 33, and it's ....interesting. I'm gonna get the HF 33 and do them both in one video.
Rex Krueger
2019-03-11 10:23:23 +0000 UTCWait wait... wrong part. The #33 is like the stanley you just did. The #4 has a normal adjuster and comes with a small mini plane both for 13.99. Then there's the set of 3 brass mini planes for $12.99.
James Boatright
2019-03-11 05:17:15 +0000 UTCHarbor Freight #33 plane, which sells for $13.99. I know, its been done, but doing it YOUR WAY is worth it.
James Boatright
2019-03-11 05:11:27 +0000 UTCI could do that! Maybe this week's video.
Rex Krueger
2019-03-10 22:30:07 +0000 UTCHey Rex. Great video! I'd love to see some off campus, flea market action once you meet your camera goals. A lot of the info in this video is really useful but, I often have trouble deciding which plane of two or more will be the least trouble to restore. The Tip Sheet for flea market plane buying would be indespensible!
Nic Beurskens
2019-03-10 21:26:02 +0000 UTC
