Early Access Video: Are transitional planes any good?
Added 2018-11-22 14:50:27 +0000 UTCFriends:
The holiday has me as busy as everyone else, so I'm taking a break from the Real Lathe and exploring an under-examined part of the hand-tool world: transitional planes.
These planes are usually ignored by both users and collectors, and that's a shame. Transitionals have their shortcomings, but some of them are solid workers. They're also cheap and easy to set up.
On top of that, the basic idea of the transitional is sound: combine the low friction and light weight of wood with the precision of mechanical adjustment and you might have a great tool. Most transitionals aren't that great, but they're well worth exploring if you do hand-work.
Hope everyone has a great Holiday!
--Rex
Comments
I don't know why I didn't see this until just now. Those planes look great! I have a few in that style, but none so nice. That sapele one is just stunning! Great work!
Rex Krueger
2018-11-29 11:28:28 +0000 UTCI have a photo album of a restoration I did some time ago. it should be public (though in Hebrew, sorry..): <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353025818439480&type=1&l=334efb216f" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353025818439480&type=1&l=334efb216f</a> and another one from sapele (I've never seen a sapele plane before. it isn't very good at planing so I guess someone made it for the fun of it :) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.266503560425040&type=1&l=34c077754c" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.266503560425040&type=1&l=34c077754c</a>
George B
2018-11-24 14:35:44 +0000 UTCYeah, geography is a killer when it comes to tool hunting. I would be very interested to see some of these European wooden planes. That style is very interesting to me.
Rex Krueger
2018-11-24 14:11:05 +0000 UTCExcellent video, as usual. Educational content is top notch! in my part of the world (Israel) there isn't any plane-making industry or history, so you can only find all-metal planes (mid-century, mostly imported from Europe) or all-wood planes that our woodworkers had made themselves, usually in eastern-European designs where most early-craftsmen came from. so a transitional plane is as much a rare specimen here as a 3 legged chicken :)
George B
2018-11-24 13:39:14 +0000 UTCGood idea, I should totally do that!
Chris Evans
2018-11-23 02:42:02 +0000 UTCWell, you should find someone running a plane restoration class and bring it with you. I'm sure your teacher will give you a hand!
Rex Krueger
2018-11-23 02:11:16 +0000 UTCI picked up one for $5 a couple years ago, gave up on it after a few hours of trying to sand the sole flat. The front edge is still concave in the middle Didn't have another plane at the time, and now that I do i don't have a vise or sturdy work bench to hold it steady while I plane it. Just sitting on a shelf collecting dust, maybe I'll try again.
Chris Evans
2018-11-23 00:59:04 +0000 UTCTravis, that's just the nicest comment I've gotten all week! I'm really glad you're finding my content useful. I've been the guy in the tiny shop for most of my life, and I'm on a mission to make craft work more accessible. I'm really glad to know I'm helping!
Rex Krueger
2018-11-22 17:18:37 +0000 UTCRex, again great video with superb context and a great perspective on how to value a tool like this that has a role and a lot of work left in them. I recently found the Miller Falls equivalent to a jack and was shocked how easy it was to put back to use. I've cambered the iron made it a go to scrub to complement my other unappreciated plane, the #6 as a fore. I'm loving the range of things you are discussing because as a hybrid tool user I have to balance efficiency of limited shop time with the zen of making something fun. My Patreon dollar is well spent on your efforts.
Travis Reese
2018-11-22 16:55:23 +0000 UTC
