Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Don Langton

>I met with the maker Darryl Hutchinson last summer whilst on a trip to London. I believe his mission statement is to make dovetailed planes affordable, and judging by his Mansion house he doesn't need to charge customers a lot of money to get by. Since meeting up I have bought a smoother and a mitre plane and have been enormously impressed with the quality and performance of these planes. It is hard for me to imagine that other contemporary dovetailed planes are of any better quality and if the very significant price difference would be justified. Like you say, he can price them as low as he likes - and thank God for the humble woodworker that he does! I'd thoroughly recommend them to you.

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes *LINK*

Steve Denvir

>You probably also want to check out Konrad Sauer's planes. I've got an A1 panel he made, and it is nothing short of brilliant. I've enclosed a link(hoping I haven't buggered it up).

Best

Steve


http://www.sauerandsteiner.com/

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Hello Art,

You might also take a look at the planes made by Konrad Sauer. They are superlative. Konrad does not just make a plane for sale if you want to buy it; he makes a plane for you that fits you, and he corresponds during its construction with progress photos and questions as to your preferences on certain details. The plane will come fit to your hand, and there are a number of other custom options discussed at his site involving choice of infill wood, choice of sidewall material, adjusters, and so forth. Konrad is an extremely kind, considerate, and thoughtful person, who takes pains with every detail.

Wiley

Just a jelous woodworker...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>going Phhhhhhhhhhhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuttttttttt. I'm sure you won't go wrong with either. I for one would like to know the outcome.

Another maker to consider *LINK*

Christopher Schwarz

>Art,

Another contemporary maker who is in the same class is Wayne Anderson. Wayne has a brilliant design eye (like Karl Holtey) and excellent hands. No disappointments.

Chris


Anderson Planes

I'll Second Wayne's Planes

Bruce, a MN galoot

>I've been fortunate to fondle a couple of his planes at MWTCA meets. They're fabulous and I can't believe they take a backseat to any other plane.

Bruce

Re: Another maker to consider

Russ Allen - Chicago

>As I mentioned the last time Wayne was mentioned here (http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/handtools.pl?read=33070 I'm helping with his site. He sent me a new image which I justed added. I've invited him to post a reply. Come on Wayne, chime in, the water's fine.

Russ Allen

Chicago

Re: SMT

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Just know that in addition to the one he is making for me, Stephen M. Thomas has another 3 or 4 "loopy's" he is making at the same time. I expect that they will finally be finished over the course of this next year. Not as aesthetically spectacular as the Anderson planes (but not without their own charm), but almost surely designed with greater awareness of the engineering factors that lead to ultimate performance. I don't know if he is even willing to entertain offers on the other planes in the batch until he has them finished, but well worth keeping in mind if performance is a primary consideration.

I must say, that Wayne's site is simply spectacular and that I just adore the front handle on his bevel up smoother.

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Bob L.

>Art,

I also own two of Darryl Hutchinson planes, a 50 deg. smoother and an improved mitre plane. While these cost me a lot, I find them great to use. Both have real quality workmanship. Now with the improved adjuster Darryl is offering they are even better. I looked at Holtey's planes. I am just not in the upper woodworking tier whose work warrants the use of Holtey tools to complete a project.

Past debate on Hutchinson planes *LINK*

Don Langton

>Art,

See this link for past discussion on a Hutchinson Mitre plane back in March.


Past comments on Hutchinson Mitre plane

Re: Another maker to consider

Wayne Anderson

>Chris,

Many thanks to you and others for the kind comments. What started as a creative outlet and love of old tools, has become a passion. I would encourage all who haven't yet visited the website to please do so. I welcome any questions or comments.

Best regards, and thank you again,

Wayne Anderson

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

CONGER - The Irish diaspora in Munich

>Can anyone tell me more abour Darryl Hutchinsons planes. I refer to quality of finish, detailing etc.

-g-

Howzabout a pic

Jonathan Peck -N.Y.

>Hi Wayne,

I'd love to see any pictures you have of any planes you've made just for fun (hoping you still have time to make anything for fun).

Regards

Jonathan

Thank you - I made a decision. *LINK*

Art Geiger

>Thank you all for the links and the second opinions. It was great to get first hand views from people that actually owned these planes. I got in touch with Classic Planes and talked with Darryl for half an hour. It was nice that he didn't in any way hurry the conversation. I ordered a 50 pitch A13 plane and will get it in about 8 weeks - Yes 8 weeks. One maker estimated 14 months!

I found out that the proprietor of toolbazaar.co.uk in Scotland has dedicated a web page to Classic Planes and already uses 2 of Darryl's planes in his antique restoration business. I've enclosed the link to the new page on the toolbazaar site.


Classic Planes at Toolbazaar.

Get ready to drool *LINK*

Christopher Schwarz

>Click on gallery.

Strike that. Get an absorbent towel for your lap. Then click on Gallery.

Chris


Anderson Planes

Re: Thank you - I made a decision.

CONGER - The Irish diaspora in Munich

>Art... what in particular made you decide for one of Darryls planes?

-g-

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>I came up with six manufacturers - am I missing any?

Holtey

Hutchinson

Sauer & Steiner

Shepherd

Anderson

Ray Isles

I think..

Jonathan Peck -N.Y.

>...the work of Brian Bruckner could be added to the list, although I'm not sure if his works are available for mass consumption.

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes *LINK*

Russ Allen - Chicago

>Sauer & Steiner has a page of links to other infill makers. They include St. James though their infills aren't dovetailed. Steve Knight is also on the list though I don't think he's making them (or having them made) any more. They do have a link for Brian Buckner as Jonathan suggests. Bridge City is also on their list as is a dead link for Harris Tools.

Also listed are a couple of makers without web pages. I have an infill made by Australian Mick Doherty of badger pond fame. It's pictured here.

Russ Allen

Chicago


S&S list of Infill makers

Here's the link for Harris Tools *LINK*

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>Looks like they moved their site..


http://www.harristools.com/

Harris Tools Planes

Christopher Schwarz

>Has anyone here on the board bought one of these planes? I inspected two of them that an attendee brought to the WoodWorks show in Springfield, Mass. One was the A13 type and the other was a jointer.

Overall they looked OK, but the owner was looking to send them back becuase of some flaws, gaps in the peening, stuff like that. I'd enjoy hearing any opinions, good, bad and indifferent.

Chris

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes *LINK*

William Duffield on the Cohansey

>Yes, you are missing Jim Leamy, who is best known for his reproductions of old, very rare, and sometimes very complicated wooden planes, but who also makes beautiful infills.


Jim Leamy Planes

Re: Harris Tools Planes

Todd Stock

>If it's like the other Harris stuff, it looks quite nice but takes a lot of tuning to get to usable.

My experience is a bit dated, but probably applicable. Had a Harris panel raiser, and after a week or so, back it went in exchange for a Leon Robbins-made panel raiser (which worked as advertised with minimal tuning). The guy at GW (which in those days actually have very good help) indicated that "...many..." of the Harris planes had come back or been exchanged for Crown tools (the US-based company operated by Leon, now semi-retired).

Some of the problems:

-Incorrectly ground iron (reground; decent edge)

-Poorly fitted wedge (blade shifted in the cut - refitted and shimmed blade)

-Mouth much more open than necessary (could be closed, but why bother)

Re: Contemporary Dovetailed Planes

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>That looks like a good one - it indeed looks like they are actually for sale.