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Shepherd Planes

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Shepherd Planes

#1

Shepherd Planes

Adam DeGraff

>Ok, so I log on with a question about Shepherd Planes, and there's a picture of Ben and Doug right on the Hand Tools page. So I hope their fame doesn't skew the responses. Just kidding.

I was watching Jim Kingshott's planing video and though I was happy with my old #8 jointr and my onld 4-1/2 smoother, I just can't stop thinking about those infill planes he has. I think they are both Norris planes. And of course, one would have to sell their first born to acquire such a plane. For days I searched the web until I came across the Shepherd tools website. (www.shepherdtool.com) For those of you who have been to the sight, or know about their planes, you also know they offer a kit to build the plane yourself. They offer much testamonial to assure you that you can indeed build a fine infill plane. At first I just dismissed the idea of building my own, but I haven't been sleeping so well lately....day dreaming of building my own plane. Truthfully, I don't have the money right now to buy a kit, and certainly don't have the money to buy an already built plane. But, if I did.....

Will that A6 Norris copy smoother be worth the money and time?

Will it work better than my very well tuned 4-1/2?

Will I wonder how I ever got by without it?

Would a plane I built from a kit be as "good" as one that Ben or Doug built?

Same questions for the 24-1/2 inch jointer.

If I had the money, what is the benefit of the brass or steel sides?

I must admit, I may be a sucker for the propaganda on their website, but those guys (Ben and Doug) had the coolest idea ever. And they seem really into their product. They seem very sincere in their mission to put these high quality tools back in the hands of the user. I could not be more impressed with what I read. Would I be as impressed with my fisished plane?

Thanks for your comments,

Adam DeGraff

Re: Shepherd Planes

#2

Thanks, Adam....me too ;>)

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>

Re: Shepherd Planes

#3

Re: Shepherd Planes

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont

>Hi Adam,

I built mine about a year and a half ago, it was not that hard to do, mine still neeeds some fine tuning but when I have used it it has been a wonderful plane, I highly recommend the experience.

Take care,

Jim

Re: Shepherd Planes

#4

Re: Shepherd Planes

Cameron

>The kits are excellent value for money and would not be too difficult to put together if you just take things nice and slowly.

The same plane kit made by Ben & Doug would, no doubt, be better than one you made because they've had the experience and you haven't. Then again you might put more time and effort into it so yours might end up better instead? Hard to say.

Whether you decide on either steel or brass sides is a matter of personal taste. There's not much difference apart from looks - although the brass is heavier in weight.

Re: Shepherd Planes

#5

Re: Shepherd Planes *LINK*

Ben Knebel

>Hi Adam ;

Just thought I'd point you to a link posted in the Shop Shots section by Brian Gray. It covers his recent experience with building one of our planes. You might find it helpful.

Regards

Ben


http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot547.shtml

Re: Shepherd Planes

#6

Re: Shepherd Planes

Brian Gray in Sandusky, OH

>Hey Adam.

Yeah....check out my shop shop that Ben mentioned.

The answer is yes, you can certianly build one, and the experience was amazing.

In regards to the Spiers vs the Norris. Ben can certainly elaborate on this, and I recommend emailing him..he'll give you an unbaised opinion.... But my thoughts are this....the less moving parts on a plane, the better. The only moving parts on the Spiers is the iron hold-down. The Norris adjuster gives you a little less surface of the frog in contact with the iron, so my choice is the Spiers. It's very easy to tune my Spiers without a Norris adjuster, and once it's tuned, you really don't have to touch it, until it's time to sharpen.

All other questions that you asked are answered in my shop shot.

One last recommendation....

Do you need a good block plane? Why not buy their thumb plane kit for $69? All the techniques that you need to build ANY of their kits will be learned in that little experience.

I'm about to purchase the thumb plane myself.

Feel free to email me with any questions...I REALLY recommend giving this a try. My Spiers outperforms my LN's, LV's, or anything else in the shop.

Re: Shepherd Planes

#7

Re: Shepherd Planes

Paul Barnard

>They are great planes. I have a few of them and they are increadible performers. All mine are steel without adjusters and I love them. The brass ones are pretty but they have only introduced those recently and as I started the set in steel I'm going to finish the set in steel. I've built several smoothers, a charriot, a shoulder, a panel and ordered a 24inch jointer kit a while back. The planes that Ben builds work great and its a dead cert that any you build will work great too. As with all planes old or new a degree of fettling will make it exceptional. The materials and the construction techneques produce what to my mind are the best possible planes.

Go for it.

Re: Shepherd Planes

#8

Re: Shepherd Planes

Lloyd Robins

>I have yet to buy one of their planes, but I intend to do so in the next week or so. I have been in email communication with them, and they have been great to work with. I will probably be up near them in July, and they have invited me up to their shop. I will have to make certain that it won't be during the Neander Meander week although I wish that I could attend, but finances won't allow it. Good luck!

Re: Shepherd Planes

#9

Re: Shepherd Planes

Dave Anderson Chester, NH

>I made the #7 Spiers smoother as my first plane and it came out just fine. How well you do depends on how much effort you put into it and how finicky you are in doing the fettling and finishing. Just take it slow and avoid rushing just to get it done. Speed is your enemy just as it is in woodworking. I'll be building a chariot when Doug and Ben come down to run a demo and clas for the Guild of NH Woodworkers this coming Saturday. If any one is in the area they are welcome to drop by for the demo. Email me for details.

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