Upgrading Plane Handles

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:37 pm

Yessirree!

A little more time off work than normal this year.... Decided to try my hand at some new wood handles for a couple of my planes.

Everything here was made out of one $8.00 plank of 3/4" thick Bocote. You can see the remainder of a "sled" I used with the Overarm Router to countour each rear-handle prior to cutting them fully loose for finish sanding. The front knobs are slightly custom-shaped due to the lack of wood I had left! But it's all finished to 400 grit sanding and feels out of this world.

(Horizontal Boring was also done on the same "sled": Each old rear-handle was double-side-taped to the corresponding New rear-handle to serve as a drill-bit guide prior to setting the table height. This let me set the drill angles just right.)

Have also ordered a Honing Guide from Shopsmith to really get those blades sweetened, next....

[ATTACH]5752[/ATTACH]

Happy Woodworking,

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:26 pm

Chris, the new handles look GREAT. Nice work.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:18 pm

Great job, Chris! They look very nice.

flashbacpt · Post by **flashbacpt** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:35 pm

Chris,

Very, very nice and good looking! I also have a need to replace my plane handles, but just can't find the time. But, you got me to thinking!!!

John
FlashbacPT

efmaron · Post by **efmaron** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:14 pm

Very nice looking handles.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:16 pm

Thanks Folks, for your kind words. I really do like having the Shopsmith hobby and the entertainment of the Forum.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:43 pm

Super handles, Chris!:D Nice use of the OPR!

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:11 am

An update on my hand-plane journey....

Got in the Shopsmith honing guide and I like it a lot:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... gguide.htm

I did some sharpening and tuning on the planes pictured above. The late-model Stanley SB4 (you can get these for about $20 at Lowes) got to the point of utility but not pride. On the other hand the older (1950s I'd guess?) Great Neck Corsair #4 Smoother has become a very sweet tool!

This may have triggered another shop addiction besides Shopsmith. I'll update in a few days if the next plane-project comes through.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:01 pm

Yep! You may get into plow planes, dado planes, etc. Pretty soon you may be smoothing the soles, adjusting the mouths, and trying out bevel up and bevel down plane blades. Careful! It can get just as expensive as power tools!

I'm not really into the science of hand planes but I can understand the fascination! Just bought an "inexpensive" block plane from Lee Valley ($145). Wow what a sweet tool!! On the other hand you can buy one a H.D. for $20.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:25 pm

All... Righty .. Then!

In the spirit of "something old, something new," here is a teaser of what I have going next:
[ATTACH]5813[/ATTACH]

More later!

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