ADVERTISE HERE - FREE TRIAL
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

A55 Smoothing Plane

Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

Posts

Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#1

Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>I modified my existing bench for surface planing boards. I originally used a LV Wonder Dog and bench dog system, but I found that with hard planing, especially diagonal strokes, there was a lack of decent support. I wanted to incorporate a tail-vise into the bench but this would give me the same result. I would need to set up holdfasts to be able to keep the board from racking sideways when planing the face (diagonal strokes)..

So after much thought, I devised this system.

It has flexibility both with the bench side stop position and height ( 1/4 in. to 3/4 in.). The front stop is also adjustable in height from 1/4 in. to 3/4 in. The bench stops are interchangeable.

I have tested it on 3-4 boards so far. I surface planed the face of one board from rough to ready completely using this. The edges were jointed on the front side of the bench ( front vise and bench jack setup)..

One added benefit of not clamping a board between dogs as in a tail-vise and bench dog system is that you cannot drag the handplane back between strokes. This is a plus in that it prevents wear of the iron except for forward strokes. Also having a board simply against bench stops keeps thinner boards from bowing and distorting while planing.

I have re-coated the bench surface in some spots, and it is ready to go.. Also I am left-handed so I have actually set up the back of the bench for this. It is unemcumbered by vises and allows me to handplane from left to right.. The face vise is on the other(front) side of the bench for edge-jointing, etc.

Just thought I'd share this with the non-tailvise members, or others that need a solution to face-planing boards on an existing bench they have...

Norman


Handplaning setup (any bench)

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#2

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Norman

That is a well-made, good looking and functional accessory. My bench has something very similar built into it (just not nearly as nice as yours!). However, the thought occured to me that if you added a 1/4" thick MDF board underneath your planing surface, then you would have a long shooting board that would be ideal for long edges.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#3

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Dan Moening in Cooler, Breezy Sacramento

>I like the setup alot, and recently came to a similiar solution...though I don't have dog holes I have to resort to clamping the battens.

How do you support the stock for planing in the opposite diagonal?

Do you have the same setup on the left end of your bench?

Dan.

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#4

Holdfast

Tim of Livermore

>and scrap gives you the same thing. A bit more versatile though.

Tim

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#5

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Dean J in MN

>

Just thought I'd share this with the non-tailvise members, or others that need a solution to face-planing boards on an existing bench they have...

Norman,

You are on to something here -- isn't it amazing what a simple solution will do? As was posted, a holdfast and battens get you here as well.

There may be some woodworking wisdom to that quote: "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

-Dean

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#6

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>Dan,

I would always plane in the same geneal direction. In my case, left to right (left-handed)..

All I to do is flip the board end for end and do the other diagonals when prepping a board in its rough state.

Good point though. This brings up the other benefit of the ease and speed of flipping boards around and end for end when not clamped between dogs.

Thx for the feedback,

Norman

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#7

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) - Shooting Edge

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>Derek,

That is a great suggestion.

I will try it at my earliest convenience.

Makes shooting long edges possible..

Norman

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#8

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>The Workbench Book has some similar concepts, but you've developed it quite a bit. I particularly like your inspiration that you don't need different thicknesses of stops, but can simply prop up the one stop when you're working thicker wood.

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#9

Re: Handplaning setup - Updated for short, wider *LINK*

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>I updated the bench already.

Another set of holes parallel to the first set which allow

me to swing the side bench stop around towards the

front bench stop for shorter, wider boards.

New pictures added to demonstrate this..

This is called a design in progress :)

My advice, lay out all the holes you will possibly need,

mark them off very accurately, then drill them.

Like they say, it's always easier the second time around.

Nice the way I can use the same bench stop all around.

Norman


Updated - for shorter, wider, boards

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#10

Re: tail vise question

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>Why would a tail vise not work for face planing? I have been using mine for this purpose without knowing that it shouldn't work.

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#11

Jim in Burlington Ont.

Re: tail vise question

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>Works just fine. If you should overtighten it you'll slightly bow your stock. I've witnessed quite a few professionals using a tail vise.

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#12

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench)

Adam Cherubini

>I think you need a back stop very very close to the right hand (end) stop. You've got one side and an end, but you have to address the rotation as well.

All you really need are the pegs. Having a board connecting them is superfluous. So as Dean said, you can still take some stuff away. But you've got the right idea.

I call this the "English Method" as opposed to the Northern European approach of using tail vises. Its a version of the Japanese trestle which is a good, albeit less flexible, approach.

BTW, I've been finding less and less reason to have height adjustable stops. A solid low stop is usually good enough for me. Really thin stock can be shimmed up as required. So I think your design is fine from the height standpoint.

Adam

Re: Handplaning setup ( any bench) *LINK*

#13

I'm wrong

Adam Cherubini

>I'm just totally wrong in my post above. Norman's set up works fine. Its a very minimalistic and efficient approach.

Adam

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.