Microscope view of planing – Thanks Wilbur Pan

Video – with Translation

Microscopic View

This phenomenal video of a microscopic view of what happens when a plane blade cuts wood was created by Professor Yasunori Kawai and Honorary Professor Chutaro Kato at Yamagata University, as part of their research in the role of cap irons in planing. This segment shows a plane blade without a cap iron, planing with the grain, then against the grain, and finally taking a thinner shaving against the grain.

The Fence Project

So the contractor finished their part of the fence and it turned out pretty nicely.  This is actually the final project associated with our 2009 remodel since the old garage was actually our fence.

While they were working on that, I was making one giant jig so that I could pre-build the fence panels for the front section of the fence that we will build.  Its not finished here, but it shows how I use a story stick.  I’ve used story sticks for a lot my house projects with good results especially on the siding for the house.

Trying out indoor sharpening

A while back I had an interesting exchange with Chris Schwarz  and Marc Spagnuolo  about how to squeezed more wood working time into my days.  I got many great suggestions (decline raises at work for time, get rid of cable, have realistic shop goals, etc).  Some, I was already doing.  Some I want to implement right away.

One of the suggestions was to make a sharpening station for inside that would allowme to sharpen while hanging out with the fam in the living room.  The very next day, Chris posted this link on his Popular Woodworking Blog – Sharpening with Diamond Lapping Film.

So here’s my attempt at implementing that suggestion.

I went over to Hardwick’s (our local have everything hardware store).  I picked up two small used plate glass squares, a baking sheet and a small plastic container.  Chris said that he had a lot of troubles with the Diamond Lapping Film and bubbles underneath.  Even with a great deal of care and a rubber roller, I had the same problem.  Here’s what the final set up looked like on the jumbo baking sheet underneath to keep the oil in its place.

Well, no mess!