I don’t have a ton of pictures for this entry, as I got a little carried away on the tasks I was doing. I looked at it and decided that the bun placement could go one of two ways:
or
I got finish on the tote and bun. I decided that for now I won’t make a decision on bun placement, though I am leaning towards the more forward position because it allows for better hand grip on the bun and more room for chip ejection. The only con is that it looks a little funnier. Oh well.
After 4 coats of Formby’s low gloss tung oil finish, I did a coat of paste wax. I’ll do one more before I call it good. I apply the paste wax with gray scotch-brite, as it helps really smooth out the surface and makes it feel silky smooth.
Of course a mockup is necessary:
For now I am planning to use the stock iron and chipbreaker, as well as the stock lever cap just until I can make a new lever cap with a nice thumb screw. For this, I needed to drill for and insert a threaded insert. #10 is all I have, I would have liked 1/4” but oh well.
Because of the dimensions for the head, shoulder, and threaded portion, I had to turn up a custom screw. I started with 3/8” mystery steel that I had kicking around. Stock lever cap screws are about 3/8” head diameter, with a .287” shaft and threaded something really weird. A little larger than 1/4”. Probably #14 or something. Anyway, I turned the .287” to .293” for a little tighter fit on mine, then turned down to .185” to thread #10-24. I polished it on the lathe a little and then went to slot it. Slotting this was down really low tech, but a way that I find works really well. I took a piece of 1/8” thick aluminum scrap and drilled and tapped #10-24. I threaded my screw in as far as it would go and put a nut on the back to secure it. I then put the aluminum piece in my drill press vise vertically. I set my drill press speed to 3000 RPM (max speed), chucked up a cutting disc and mandrel for a dremel, and set the height to be right in the center. I left a tiny nub from the lathe to make this easier. Then I turned on the drill press and too slow, shallow passes until I got a slot the right depth. I wanted it a little wider, so I lowered the disc about another 1/64” and continued. Once I was satisfied with the screwdriver fit, I removed it and took a triangle file to the slot just to ease the hard corners. Polish it up with some gray scotch-brite, et viola:
After that, I wire wheeled the iron, chip breaker, and lever cap along with the plane body. Then it all got a coat of paste wax to prevent rust. it has been really rainy here, so I want the protection:
All in all, this has taken me a little while. I also opened up the mouth another 1/32” or so. I did this in the milling machine with a 1/8” end mill. Worked great.
Total time in so far: ~8 hours…? I have no clue.
-- Brian T. - Exact science is not an exact science
6 comments so far
Joe Lyddon
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10963 posts in 5512 days
#1 posted 04-22-2016 04:10 AM
That is a beautiful plane…
... almost TOO pretty to use! :)
Very COOL work!
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: https://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/index.php?media/albums/users/joe-lyddon.1389/
Ripthorn
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1459 posts in 4445 days
#2 posted 04-22-2016 12:15 PM
Thanks, Joe. It is pretty, and the tote has the most amazing feel. However, it will get used. This will be my first 50 degree smoother.
-- Brian T. - Exact science is not an exact science
Don W
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20387 posts in 4027 days
#3 posted 04-22-2016 01:44 PM
How do you plan to hold the infill in place? Nice job so far.
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
Ripthorn
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1459 posts in 4445 days
#4 posted 04-22-2016 06:24 PM
Don, I’m just going to use epoxy. I left the tote threaded boss and the point in tact after milling to give it some positive engagement. My last one I did like this was just straight epoxy and has held up fine 4 years later.
-- Brian T. - Exact science is not an exact science
Don W
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20387 posts in 4027 days
#5 posted 04-22-2016 09:11 PM
I have a.couple that has held up as well, but the one (of course it had to be one I sent off) I sold Terry came apart. He thinks his postman (think of the guy in the Chevy Chase movie) may have played a role, but ever since I’ve pinned them or used the bolt, even if I hid the bolt after using it.
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
Roger
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21055 posts in 4264 days
#6 posted 04-23-2016 01:33 AM
That’s a nice piece o eye candy
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
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