Handmade infill plane (woodwork)

[Hattori-hanzo]

With the black paint now dry I could start applying the lacquer.

I sprayed 3 coats of lacquer onto the box leaving 10 minutes between coats, no need to rub down this time.

Once the lacquer was dry I started to cut it back with wet and dry sand paper.
I sanded from 1200 to 2500 grit.

With the entire box sanded to 2500 grit I could start to polish it.
I'm using Farecla g10 finishing compound and a medium sponge buffing pad to bring back the initial shine.

Once I was happy with that stage I used super resin polish and a fine sponge pad to get a gloss finish.

Lastly I applied a coat of Dodo juice for a little extra shine and the sweet smell of Carnauba wax

With the paint work done I fitted the brass handle and lever catch to the front of the box.
I also added some Velcro strips to secure the plane in place when in the box.

Finally I cut and fitted foam to the inside of the box just for a little added protection.

Other than adding some rubber feet the box was complete.

 

[Parm]

With the black paint now dry I could start applying the lacquer.

I sprayed 3 coats of lacquer onto the box leaving 10 minutes between coats, no need to rub down this time.

Once the lacquer was dry I started to cut it back with wet and dry sand paper.
I sanded from 1200 to 2500 grit.

With the entire box sanded to 2500 grit I could start to polish it.
I'm using Farecla g10 finishing compound and a medium sponge buffing pad to bring back the initial shine.

Once I was happy with that stage I used super resin polish and a fine sponge pad to get a gloss finish.

Lastly I applied a coat of Dodo juice for a little extra shine and the sweet smell of Carnauba wax

With the paint work done I fitted the brass handle and lever catch to the front of the box.
I also added some Velcro strips to secure the plane in place when in the box.

Finally I cut and fitted foam to the inside of the box just for a little added protection.

Other than adding some rubber feet the box was complete.

Every aspect of your project is an absolute work of art with great attention to detail.

If that was mine it would be a focal piece in prime position for others to see and admire. I would never use it

 

[jordan1]

Too good to use. antique of the future.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I agree with the lads above ^^ - if it were mine I'd have it on a plinth on prominent display

 

[ranchero]

a work of art. if it was mine it would be in a glass case in my living room

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

Cheers guys

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

With the box complete I could add the finishing touches to the plane.

I started by making the brass collar to go under the front knob, this was purely for aesthetics as I thought the transition from cherry wood to aluminium to brass looked nicer.
I forgot to take pictures of this but here it is fitted to the plane.

Finally the plane was complete. I took a few hours to clean and wax every part before reassembling.

When I started this project I didn't realise how far it would take me. I've learnt so much along the way, so many new skills and techniques that I can develop further.
I've probably gotten more enjoyment from making this plane than I will using it, (if I use it!)

Its been the combination of over 5 months in the making and roughly 180 hours work.
It's been quite the journey of late nights, hard work, concentration and constant nagging by the better half but I got there in the end.

I'd say I'm 90% happy with the end result, there are a few things which let it down but for a first attempt at a metal body plane it far exceeded my expectation.
I think it's important to constructively critique your own work and people have told me I'm my own worst enemy but the day I make something that's perfect is the day I've lost myself.

Thank you for all of the messages along the way, I really appreciate every one.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I'll stop my rambling now and just show the finished plane, there's a lot of pictures!

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[Hattori-hanzo]

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[Hattori-hanzo]

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I've also done a quick video demonstrating the plane.

I hope you've enjoyed following the project as much as I have making it.

 

[jimbo84]

Looks incredible, great work. It’s been an interesting project to follow.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Hattori-hanzo Beautiful work.

What lighting setup are you using for those pics? Full studio flash with soft boxes/reflectors/umbrellas etc? The results greatly improve the visual appeal of the plane for viewing.

 

[brightspark]

I presume your a cabinet maker by the amount of woodworking machines and tools about ??/

 

[DAPPH]

Hattori - Hanzo my tuppence worth .

Your work is such a high standard many people around the world would pay large sums of money to have such a crafted piece in their possession especially in the USA markets . I'd put a YouTube clip together with the picture & info you have posted here in mig-welding .co.uk name it as " handmade woodworking plane " or similar and have signage that says this plane can be purchased or similar ones made to order and include an email address set up specifically for it.
Once a tube clip with your quality work get doing the rounds there should be a heck of lot of work available to you and you'll be able to virtually name your own price .

OK I put my hands up ….
I typed before I saw your clip. One thing I'd use a different sound as the radio is copyright & the performing arts people will be after you to buy a licence etc.

Love the fact that you can hear the sound of the plane at work with a few other low key industrial background noises . .

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

Thanks for the replies guys

What lighting setup are you using for those pics? Full studio flash with soft boxes/reflectors/umbrellas etc? The results greatly improve the visual appeal of the plane for viewing.

Sadly non of that gear was used, just my trusty old Nikon D90 and a naturally lit kitchen, it was a sunny day
Photography was a past hobby of mine. You can see some of it on my blog, it's mostly macro work.

I presume your a cabinet maker by the amount of woodworking machines and tools about ??/

Yeah, furniture maker is my day job, been doing it for a while.

Hattori - Hanzo my tuppence worth .

Thanks for the comment, it's a nice dream.
To be honest there are already bespoke plane makers out there who's planes would put mine to shame and they pretty much dominate the market.
Their work shops are set up more on the engineering side (rather than woodwork like mine) and they can produce high quality planes in a fraction of the time I could.

I don't think many people would wait 5 months for one of my planes to turn up

 

[brightspark]

its a very nice plane well made and presented lovely grain and finish on the wood

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

Thank you

The birds eye maple did come up nice with the lacquer on.

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

Ah, it didn't take me long to start a new project!

Thanks for all the comments on the last one guys.

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

A little sneak peek so far, there has been a lot of filing and I've not even got onto the steel work yet!

End dovetails

Bridge cupid bow, only half done.

 

[Hattori-hanzo]

Finally finished the bridge.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I can start to assemble the body of the plane now.

I've still got the sole of the plane to make yet and there is a lot of work involved with that, even more so than the body.

 

[Craig-SM]

@Hattori-hanzo I've just read through this thread and it's been a joy to see the skill and attention to detail you have put into the plane and it's box. I can only imagine the joy you will get out of using it for many years to come and hopefully for future generations too.