My top three
If you’re blending hand tools and power tools in your shop, here are the planes you should own.
Read moreCategory Archives: Handplanes
A Game of Ounces
Jack planes are the most-used tool in my hands. Hands down, hands forward and hands back. I’m on my third jack plane iron since 1996. I’ve never even come close to wearing out a plane iron for a smoothing or jointer plane. (I have eaten through some block plane blades, though I blame that on…
Read moreHandplane Maintenance (That’s Not in the Books)
Sure, we all know to keep our handplanes sharp, clean and lubed. But when was the last time you did maintenance on the tool’s mouth and the edges of its sole? These areas are fragile and take a heap of abuse. Yet little is written about how to regularly maintain them. Let’s start with the…
Read moreLow-Angle vs. Standard-Angle Spokeshaves
The key to success with a spokeshave is understanding the cutting angles and how they work.
Read moreSetting up a fillister plane
Tips on setting up and using this classic hand tool for joinery.
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