Category: Uncategorized

When fettleing a plane for the first time a lot of attention is usually paid to the iron, or blade, and rightfully so because no matter what else you do to a plane if the iron is not sharp the plane won’t function at it’s best.

The next most important part in the process is the cap iron, commonly known as the chip breaker. This part must fit the back of the iron perfectly with absolutely no gaps between it and the iron. The slightest gap between the back of the iron and the cap iron will catch a shaving eventually choking the plane mouth.The next operation on the cap iron is honing the face where it meets the back of the iron. Until recently I always honed this angle to 45 degrees, but I have learned differently, and in a moment I will share what I have learned.

When…

White pencil is often recommended for use when laying out parts in walnut. I don’t like the white pencils I have tried. They are too soft and waxy making them draw heavy lines and the lines are hard to remove. Bob Vandyke, the director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking, suggested using red pencil instead. So far I like it much better than the white pencils I have tried. If you are not happy with the white pencils you might want to give the red pencils a try. They are easy to see, hold a point better than the white and are easy to remove.

Keep Your Layout Pencils Sharp

This is an old draftsman’s tool used in the days when part drawings were done by hand. The PC days……………..as in Pre Computer! In fact this type of pencil pointer was sold wherever draftsman’s tools were…