Shopsmith Forums

curiousgeorge wrote:Very nice little planes, Chris. Here is one I made just after the plane making video was posted. In case anyone wants to build one, I got all the metal parts (brass plates, rods and blade steel) from McMaster-Carr.

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Here are the directions and plans I downloaded from Nick Englers Workshop Companion web site...

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Now THAT'S a finger plane! Nice!

A neat little project, I hadn't seen that Sawdust Session before. I guess I need to spend more time in the archives.

After watching the video I can safely say that the optical center punch is not required although you may still want to add it to your Christmas wish list.

Nick's Dremel tool technique scares me though. As a rule I try to spend as little time in the same plane as spinning grinding wheels, wire wheels and propellers. A new wire wheel will provide an excellent introduction to the world of do it yourself accupuncture.

I would also avoid using the lathe cutoff tool. Some have carbide cutters brazed to a base of junk steel. As curiousgeorge mentioned McMaster Carr has everything needed, MSC (Manhattan Supply Co.) also is a good source. Ground oil hardening steel stock can be purchased in whatever width and thickness required. Heat to cherry red then quench in oil to make dead hard. Clean the steel with some emery paper and then start heating the steel at the end opposite to the cutting edge of the blade. You will want to heat to a straw color and will be able to watch the color change and advance towards the cutting edge. I would re-quench just before it reaches the cutting portion, leaving the edge quite hard and the body of the blade more ductile.

Troy