"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/04/2020 at 12:01 • Filed to: None
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"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/04/2020 at 12:01 • Filed to: None | 5
| 8 |
Despite a Westworld binge yesterday, I did get out to the shop to make some progress on the cabinets. The glue dried on the repairs I made, so it was time to shave them down.
I firmly believe that the block plane is one of the most under-rated tools. I found this one in my mom’s tool collection. I have no idea where it came from, but I’d like to believe it belonged to my great-grandfather. He was a carpenter and general contractor, so it’s not much of a stretch to think he used this very tool.
It’s in rough shape and needs some restoration, but I made sure the blade was sharp before I tackled this part of the repair.
If you don’t know how this tool works, the shiny bit on the bottom is a very sharp blade that barely sticks out. It works kind of like a block sander. You slide the tool along the material and it takes a thin slice of wood off. I have this one set a little deep, but I’ve seen videos of people pulling shavings that are so thin that they are translu cent. I have the added complication of the repair piece being plywood. It’s hard to get clean cuts when the tool is cutting through a layer that is cross-grained to the direction of movement.
Here’s the other cabinet. I know the hammer needs a new handle. It chipped when I dropped it and it hit a piece of metal just right. It’s mostly retired until I can get a new handle.
After planing the repairs down, I added wood filler. It’s like using bondo to smooth out a metal repair. These are getting paint, so I’m not concerned about how the wood looks as long as it’s smooth. If I were going to stain it, I would add a layer of veneer. Most of the wood on these cabinets are plywood with an oak veneer on the outside and black melamine on the inside.
Next phase: sanding!
The Ghost of Oppo
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/04/2020 at 12:19 |
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While you are using that plane as a Block plane, that is technically a bench plane or more specifically a smoothing plane. Block planes have a low angle bevel up blade used mostly for end grain work, Bench planes have a 45 degree angle with the blade bevel facing down.
The reason you are struggling to get clean cuts is probably because of the higher angle of the blade and because you have the blade set deep. For most plane work you want to take the thinnest shaving possible, it is physically easier and you won’t over remove material. One way to instantly make it easier is to take some bar wax and add a little to the sole of the plane.
It still looks like you got the job done, which I highly commend you on. I was terrified to do any real project work with hand planes until I had watched hours of youtube videos and had lots of practice. Hand planes and all of their differences is extremely confusing. In reality you can use any type of plane to perform any job, it’s just that some are set up to do things better than others.
Edit: I realized after I posted this you said “if you don’t know how this tool works”, I thought you said “I don’t know how this tool works”, so now I feel like some woodworking snob over explaining what you probably already knew.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> The Ghost of Oppo
05/04/2020 at 12:29 |
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Thank you for both the feedback and advice!
The layers of the plywood where the grain was running the direction of movement came out fine. It was only where the plywood was cross-grained that there was any tear out. I made sure when I glued the plywood in place that the layer which would be even with the surface of the cabinet was oriented the direction I wanted.
I used the smoothing plane (I learned something today!) to remove the bulk of the wood, a smaller block plane (shallower angle, bevel-side up) which is set for a shallower cut to make the final passes before wood filler and sanding. I just didn’t catch it in a photo.
I have a lot to learn. Fortunately, I’m not afraid to learn by doing. I did watch a bunch of videos on how to sharpen chisels and planes before I put them to work. Sharp tools are safer tools! I need to get a sharpening guide and a couple of stones. I did it freehand with sandpaper on a flat surface. It was adequate for my needs, but there’s a lot of room for improvement!
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The Ghost of Oppo
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/04/2020 at 12:53 |
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Sorry not sure if you saw my comment edit but I realized after I posted it that I misread what you wrote and also now I see the block plane in the last picture. But good for you not being afraid to get your hands dirty. I unfortunately fall in that ‘tool box fallacy’ category where I think I need every tool and process to be perfect before I start doing anything .
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> The Ghost of Oppo
05/04/2020 at 13:16 |
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Constructive criticism is a good thing. I appreciate the insight.
I love getting the right tools, but I learned long ago that sometimes “ you gotta do what you gotta do.” That’s whether you have the right tool or not. I’m guilty of some hacks that would make a “real” coder/mechanic/woodworker/plumber/roofer/etc. cringe.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> The Ghost of Oppo
05/05/2020 at 21:55 |
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Excellent snobbery. Thank you for sharing those informations.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2020 at 22:03 |
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I’ve done some woodworking also of late.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
05/05/2020 at 22:14 |
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I liked the gate when I saw it the other day. Did you add a bird feeder stand to the top of th e post?
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2020 at 23:33 |
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Sí.