making "round" plane question

Re: making "round" plane question

Dan Donaldson

>How about using a round bottomed spokeshave?

"round" plane = molding plane?

Ian in Sydney

>Bill

I always thought that a "round" plane was a molding plane whose profile was a part of a circle. So if you can make a molding plane, you can make a "round" plane. I'm not sure, but I think that the practical limit for planing is an arc of about 60 deg.

More importantly, if you have to make a round plane, make the corresponding "hollow" at the same time � then you'll have a matched pair.

Seriously, making the "hollow" first may simplify making the "round".

Re: "round" plane = molding plane?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>We have a "bootstrapping" problem here. As it turns out, neither of the matched hollow and round pair is the most practical tool to form the sole of the other. The reason is that the sweep of either wooden sole is greater than the sweep of the other iron. Therefore, those who would make lots of hollows and rounds would usually start with a pair of mother planes, each with a sweep somewhat greater than 60�. This is not necessary if the exercise is a "one off" set of planes, but if you were making many, the Mother plane would be the place to start.

I'm no expert at this, but I think the sole should be formed first, and then the iron ground to match it. The reason is geometric. The shape of the sole is a circular arc, but the shape of the bevel of the iron, since the iron is bedded at an angle to the sole, is elliptical. The radius of the edge of the iron continuously changes.

But, what do I know. To my way of thinking, it made more sense for me to go out and buy a half set, than to try to learn to make my own.

Re: making "round" plane question

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi

>Bill,

Like William said, a planemaker would use mother planes to make the profile of his planes.

It is easier to make the hollow first by making a V groove in the middle of the sole, hogging out the excess by some means, then truing it up with the appropriate size dowel rapped in sandpaper.

To make a round, you could layout the profile of the sole on both ends of the plane, then remove the wood to true it up from end to end. Without another plane, I'm not sure of the best way to do this. Once the sole is profiled, use layout dye on the iron, insert it in the plane and use a scribe to mark the profile on the iron. Remove the blade and grind to the line, then establish the bevel. You will have to insert the iron back in the plane and check to see if the iron is ground correctly. Most likely you will have to refine the profile until it is exactly the same as the sole.

Jim

thanks, that was helpful

bill tindall

>

buy one?

bill tindall

>I've never seen one for sale. A new opportunity for LeeValley?

Re: making "round" plane question

Steve Knight

>I have a template with the right curve. Then I use a belt sander to hog off the outside edges and working towards the middle. Then I use a rolling motion to work the sole and check it often. Then I finish it on an inflatable drum sander. Then I match the iron to the sole.

Re: making "round" plane question *LINK*

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Todd Herrli has done a video on making a matched pair of hollows/rounds, he even has included plans and directions on making floats (in Japanese planes all you really need is a 1/8" chisel). It's great. IIRC he makes the round first, then uses that to make the hollow. The blades are laid out by inserting in the body and marking. But I haven't watched it for more than a year, so please don't yell if I've got it wrong. Buy the video!

Pam


Classic plane making

Re: buy one?

Glenn Madsen

>I have a similar quandry. I bought a radiused plane blade and chipbreaker pair, Ron Hock brand, retail, from The Japan Woodworker. In my overconfidence, I thought I could figure out how to make the body. I'm still stumped, 18 months later.

So I've been making do with loud, tailed tools. Help?

Re: buy one?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>The last thing I want to do is to discourage you from making your own, if that's what you want to do. Building tools is lots of fun, and you can get custom stuff that works better than what you can buy in some cases.

However, if you decide you need some hollows and rounds in a hurry, Tony Murland often has half sets of old ones for sale. antique tools. Look under Antique Tools, then Wooden Planes, and go all the way to the bottom of the list.

Yes, you can buy one

Ian in Sydney

>I also hesitate to discourage you from making your own tool,

but Clark and Williams advertise sets of hollow and rounds at www.planemaker.com

You should be able to get a single round or better yet a round/hollow pair of the size you need from them.