BB

"Ben Bullock"

15/12/2006 12:32 PM

Japanese plane: photographic misadventures

I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
photos of my misadventures here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/

I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms from
experienced people.


This topic has 19 replies

tt

"tom"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

14/12/2006 7:44 PM


Ben Bullock wrote:
> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
> photos of my misadventures here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>
> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms from
> experienced people. Maybe try a slight rounding off of the plane blades' edge? Just noticing some dig-in, but that could be from that "wild-grained stock". Pine? Is the Workmate holding up well to your plane stroke, or no? Tom

Rr

"RicodJour"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 3:27 PM

Ben Bullock wrote:
> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
> photos of my misadventures here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>
> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms from
> experienced people.

The later picture of the shaving looks pretty good. I guess you've
read up on Japanese planes a bit and know that you have to prepare them
for use. Did you do anything to the dai?

R

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 9:16 PM

Just because it is new, don't assume that it is flat. You can go
through the whole "traditional" routine of planing the bottom and
scraping hollows or just do what works. Put a piece of sandpaper on a
flat surface and sand it flat.

Ben Bullock wrote:
> "RicodJour" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> No, I haven't done anything to it. The plane is new so I guess it doesn't
> need anything done yet. Anyway I don't have a plane-base-fixing plane (dai
> naoshi kanna) so I can't do it. The blade had to be sharpened a bit after I
> bought it, but that's all I have done.

DB

Dave Balderstone

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 1:27 AM

In article <[email protected]>, Ben Bullock
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
> photos of my misadventures here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>
> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms from
> experienced people.

You're taking too aggressive a cut. Retract the blade so you take
thinner shavings.

JB

Joe Bemier

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

16/12/2006 5:49 AM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:21:55 -0600, George Max
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:20:53 -0500, Joe Bemier
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:24:22 -0600, George Max
>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>
>>>I've read that Mike Dunbar disagrees with that.
>>>
>>>Mr. Dunbar is the windsor chair maker at www.thewindsorinstitute.com
>>
>>Disagrees with what, that laying a plane on its side is a bad idea?
>>That would be simple foolishness. And, while I know the guy and he
>>does know a thing or two about building fine chairs, he is not the
>>end all to tool care.
>
>I believe what I read is that laying the plane on it's sole on a wood
>surface is not bad for it.
>
>After that, I stopped being all mental about it. While I still lay my
>planes on their side, if they get set down on their sole *on wood*, I
>don't go crazy over it.
>
>BTW, I wish I could make a chair like his. And I'd like to take his
>class, but NH is a little far for that.


I see what you mean now.
Well, he -and others- publish books on the art. I believe that if you
applied yourself you could be a master chair builder in a few years.

Good Luck

cb

charlie b

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

16/12/2006 10:15 AM

Lay a plane blade down, blade up or on its side. Unless you're going
to drop a heavy board on it, or wack it with a mallet, it ain't a
problem.
You MIGHT ding your bench top if the cutting edge is on it, but
probably only IF you move it foreward while applying some pressure
down on it.

Since shoulder plane and rabbet plane irons stick out beyond
the sides of the plane, and they can't easily be kept on their
"backs/tops" - then what?

Worry about setting them and using them right - skip fretting
on how to put them on the bench. Life's to short. Don't
sweat the small stuff.

charlie b

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

14/12/2006 10:52 PM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:32:42 +0900, "Ben Bullock"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>photos of my misadventures here:
>
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>
>I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms from
>experienced people.

Can't comment specifically on Japanese style planes, but the plane
shaving you show at the end of your shots
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/322717184/in/set-72157594420844042/http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/322717184/in/set-72157594420844042/>
looks mighty thick, like the blade is set too deep. Would expect to get
very thin, wispy shavings when set to a finishing cut.



+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

GM

George Max

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 9:21 PM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:20:53 -0500, Joe Bemier
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:24:22 -0600, George Max
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>I've read that Mike Dunbar disagrees with that.
>>
>>Mr. Dunbar is the windsor chair maker at www.thewindsorinstitute.com
>
>Disagrees with what, that laying a plane on its side is a bad idea?
>That would be simple foolishness. And, while I know the guy and he
>does know a thing or two about building fine chairs, he is not the
>end all to tool care.

I believe what I read is that laying the plane on it's sole on a wood
surface is not bad for it.

After that, I stopped being all mental about it. While I still lay my
planes on their side, if they get set down on their sole *on wood*, I
don't go crazy over it.

BTW, I wish I could make a chair like his. And I'd like to take his
class, but NH is a little far for that.

GM

George Max

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 1:24 PM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:12:08 -0500, David Starr
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Ben Bullock wrote:
>> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>> photos of my misadventures here:
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
>> from experienced people.
>>
>Interesting photos. I notice in several shots you set the plane blade
>side down on the bench. I always lay a plane on it's side, so the blade
>is not touching the bench which dulls it.
>
>David Starr

I've read that Mike Dunbar disagrees with that.

Mr. Dunbar is the windsor chair maker at www.thewindsorinstitute.com

GM

George Max

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

21/12/2006 7:53 PM

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 05:49:46 -0500, Joe Bemier
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:21:55 -0600, George Max
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:20:53 -0500, Joe Bemier
>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:24:22 -0600, George Max
>>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>I've read that Mike Dunbar disagrees with that.
>>>>
>>>>Mr. Dunbar is the windsor chair maker at www.thewindsorinstitute.com
>>>
>>>Disagrees with what, that laying a plane on its side is a bad idea?
>>>That would be simple foolishness. And, while I know the guy and he
>>>does know a thing or two about building fine chairs, he is not the
>>>end all to tool care.
>>
>>I believe what I read is that laying the plane on it's sole on a wood
>>surface is not bad for it.
>>
>>After that, I stopped being all mental about it. While I still lay my
>>planes on their side, if they get set down on their sole *on wood*, I
>>don't go crazy over it.
>>
>>BTW, I wish I could make a chair like his. And I'd like to take his
>>class, but NH is a little far for that.
>
>
>I see what you mean now.
>Well, he -and others- publish books on the art. I believe that if you
>applied yourself you could be a master chair builder in a few years.
>
>Good Luck


The real problem is acquiring green lumber for the kind of process a
Windsor chair requires.

BB

"Ben Bullock"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 5:34 PM

"tom" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Maybe try a slight rounding off of the plane blades' edge?

Thanks for the idea.

> Just noticing some dig-in, but that could be from that "wild-grained
> stock". Pine?

Unfortunately I don't know what kind of wood it is. Someone gave it to me.

> Is the Workmate holding up well to your plane stroke, or no? Tom

Um, it's not an ideal work surface but I stand on it so that the plane
doesn't judder.

BB

"Ben Bullock"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 5:36 PM

"Mark & Juanita" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Can't comment specifically on Japanese style planes, but the plane
> shaving you show at the end of your shots
> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/322717184/in/set-72157594420844042/http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/322717184/in/set-72157594420844042/>
> looks mighty thick, like the blade is set too deep. Would expect to get
> very thin, wispy shavings when set to a finishing cut.

Is this better?

http://flickr.com/photos/bnz/322890210/

BB

"Ben Bullock"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 5:37 PM


"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:151220060127155720%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca...

> You're taking too aggressive a cut. Retract the blade so you take
> thinner shavings.

Thanks for the idea. I tried it and things seem much better now.

BB

"Ben Bullock"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

16/12/2006 10:04 AM


"RicodJour" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ben Bullock wrote:
>> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>> photos of my misadventures here:
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
>> from
>> experienced people.
>
> The later picture of the shaving looks pretty good. I guess you've
> read up on Japanese planes a bit and know that you have to prepare them
> for use.

Yes, I have a book which is meant for middle school woodworking teachers (in
Japanese unfortunately) which is where I got the following picture from:
http://flickr.com/photos/bnz/322780451/. It explains very basic things very
clearly.

> Did you do anything to the dai?

No, I haven't done anything to it. The plane is new so I guess it doesn't
need anything done yet. Anyway I don't have a plane-base-fixing plane (dai
naoshi kanna) so I can't do it. The blade had to be sharpened a bit after I
bought it, but that's all I have done.

BB

"Ben Bullock"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

16/12/2006 10:14 AM

"David Starr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ben Bullock wrote:
>> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>> photos of my misadventures here:
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
>> from experienced people.
>>
> Interesting photos. I notice in several shots you set the plane blade
> side down on the bench. I always lay a plane on it's side, so the blade
> is not touching the bench which dulls it.

I'm not sure what the recommended way of doing things is. The traditional
storage system for Japanese planes is to hold them upside down in a rack
with the weight of the plane resting on the back of the blade. This photo
shows a mock-up of an old-fashioned carpenter's workshop:

http://flickr.com/photos/bnz/192328466/

but the system shown there is still in use. I've seen photos of similar
things in modern workshops. You can see in the plane on the right of that
photo that all the weight of the plane is resting on the back of the blade.


JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

16/12/2006 2:30 AM

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 10:14:55 +0900, Ben Bullock wrote:

> "David Starr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Ben Bullock wrote:
>>> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>>> photos of my misadventures here:
>>>
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>>>
>>> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
>>> from experienced people.
>>>
>> Interesting photos. I notice in several shots you set the plane blade
>> side down on the bench. I always lay a plane on it's side, so the blade
>> is not touching the bench which dulls it.
>
> I'm not sure what the recommended way of doing things is. The traditional
> storage system for Japanese planes is to hold them upside down in a rack
> with the weight of the plane resting on the back of the blade. This photo
> shows a mock-up of an old-fashioned carpenter's workshop:
>
> http://flickr.com/photos/bnz/192328466/
>
> but the system shown there is still in use. I've seen photos of similar
> things in modern workshops. You can see in the plane on the right of that
> photo that all the weight of the plane is resting on the back of the
> blade.

Looks like a very practical system of racking, but I find myself wondering
how much of it has to do with optimal storage of the plane and how much of
it has to do with making the best use of a small space--bear in mind that
in Japan due to the high population density space is at a premium.

--

--John

to email, dial "usenet" and validate

(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

JB

Joe Bemier

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 5:20 PM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:24:22 -0600, George Max
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:12:08 -0500, David Starr
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Ben Bullock wrote:
>>> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
>>> photos of my misadventures here:
>>>
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>>>
>>> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
>>> from experienced people.
>>>
>>Interesting photos. I notice in several shots you set the plane blade
>>side down on the bench. I always lay a plane on it's side, so the blade
>>is not touching the bench which dulls it.
>>
>>David Starr
>
>I've read that Mike Dunbar disagrees with that.
>
>Mr. Dunbar is the windsor chair maker at www.thewindsorinstitute.com

Disagrees with what, that laying a plane on its side is a bad idea?
That would be simple foolishness. And, while I know the guy and he
does know a thing or two about building fine chairs, he is not the
end all to tool care.

JB

Joe Bemier

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 5:45 AM

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:34:13 +0900, "Ben Bullock"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>"tom" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>> Maybe try a slight rounding off of the plane blades' edge?
>
>Thanks for the idea.
>
>> Just noticing some dig-in, but that could be from that "wild-grained
>> stock". Pine?
>
>Unfortunately I don't know what kind of wood it is. Someone gave it to me.

That looks like Douglas Fir to me.
>
>> Is the Workmate holding up well to your plane stroke, or no? Tom
>
>Um, it's not an ideal work surface but I stand on it so that the plane
>doesn't judder.

DS

David Starr

in reply to "Ben Bullock" on 15/12/2006 12:32 PM

15/12/2006 12:12 PM

Ben Bullock wrote:
> I've just started retrying to master the Japanese plane, and I have some
> photos of my misadventures here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnz/sets/72157594420844042/
>
> I'd be interested to hear any comments, suggestions or even criticisms
> from experienced people.
>
Interesting photos. I notice in several shots you set the plane blade
side down on the bench. I always lay a plane on it's side, so the blade
is not touching the bench which dulls it.

David Starr


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