Building a jointer - opinion sought

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I am in the process of building a jointer plane. It is well advanced - almost at the glue up stage. You can't tell too much from the picture, but it will be a razee. Wood is Jarrah, iron is a 2" wide 3/16" thick Hock (no cap iron used), brass lever cap and 60 degree BD configuration.

The question is: what length? I was originally aiming for a 30" plane. The weight of this plane is HIGH. 30" is HUGE. So I began thinking about 28".

My current jointers include a Stanley #7, a LV BUJ (both 22"), and a HNT Gordon Trying Plane (17").

Opinions?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Mirboo]

Go with 30" Derek. The extra 2" wouldn't make that much difference to the weight.

 

[Philly]

Derek
Why not go for the maximum length? You can always cut it down a little afterwards? You may even get used to the weight.
Look forward to seeing the complete plane,
regards
Philly

 

[MarcW]

Derek,

I go with Philly, maximum length, Derek. I dream of. Thinking of the LN #8 with considerable weight and being metal, a woodie can't have that heft. If nonetheless you can always shorten.

Bearing in mind such a plane well over a year, with a light skew, hm,

good luck,

rounding the edges and corners on his rounder #-o

 

[Inspector]

Derek

I can't say whether you should leave as is or trim off some more with any authority. However you know it's a little harder to add to the length once cut.

With the length you're playing with now your next one should be a Coopers Plane. Would satisfy the bigger is better urges in all men. (hammer) =D>

 

[engineer one]

aw com on derek, just a couple more shredded wheat and you will be able to do it, or is it some more tinnies!

i think you should start long, and see how much it tires you, and also how effective it is, then as everybody says you may be able to cut it back if you need too. the other thing is that you can change the centre of gravity by how much you change the length.

i would guess at the end is this a using plane, or a looking one :lol: :twisted: because the amount you use it will certainly have an impact on your musculature :roll:

looks nice though
paul :wink:

 

[Pekka Huhta]

I go with Philly, maximum length, Derek. I dream of. Thinking of the LN #8 with considerable weight and being metal, a woodie can't have that heft. If nonetheless you can always shorten.

Speaking of the heft, I once had a jointer that had a 1" hole drilled to the front and cast full of lead. Don't know how long the hole was, but considering the weight it was at least 4-6" long. It gave the plane good momentum when planing, but I would have added half the lead on the back, it was a bit front-heavy. On the other hand, if the plane is heavy already, you probably won't need that trick

How about taking a piece of scrapwood the same size as your jointer, fixing the handle(s) to it and trying. Cut a bit at the time untill it feels too short, then cut the actual plane a bit longer. 2" may make quite a difference.

Although it would feel tempting to go with the maximum length, a 30+" plane is quite an impractical thing. I had this 31" jointer and found it almost useless piece of work.



Considering the blade angle, you'll use it on difficult wood. How long planks are you going to joint? For me difficult grain spells as twisted, bowed and usually also pretty short workpieces. Don't know about your local woods though. I would think that a 30" jointer is reserved for tabletops or even longer joints, but on shorter pieces the extra length just makes the tool clumsy.

Pekka

 

[Anonymous]

Another vote for 30" here. If it is a problem, then cut it down later; you might find the extra weight actually helps in use though

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I had a couple of hours today in the workshop and managed to finish off a few items. The lever cap is complete and installed (with screws I shaped). I have made most of the lever cap screw (the one in the picture is temporary). The body was glued together (this was done on a flat, glass plate/lapping board - see picture). Later I trimmed off the excess at the 30" mark.

For those wanting to know, the mouth is set 14" back from the front. Like the HNT Gordon, it has a brass wear strip.

The picture below is just to give an idea of the proportion of the blank. The razee body has yet to be cut. I have propped a Stanley tote in roughly the area where i expect a tote to go. The one I make will be larger, a four-finger grip.

Here it is alongside my #7.

Balance is the key element in a plane this size and heft. My plane is to complete all but installing the tote, then balance the plane on a fulcrum and place the tote where it balances it in the horizontal. The razee will remove some of the bulk at the rear, so I expect the tote to be about where I have placed it, perhaps a little further to the rear.

I have been keeping a good record of the progress of this plane - many pictures - and I will put together an article for critique at a later stage.

I shall only be able to get back to the plane this weekend. Until then..

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[woodbloke]

Derek - this is going to be good when done, look forward to seeing the final pics - Rob

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The 30" jointer is getting close to the end. I had hoped to finish this weekend, but it should get done tomorrow. It is a week since I posted this ...

This weekend I tuned the lever cap and lever cap screw, lapped and shaped the body, built the tote and morticed the body for it.

The mortice needs to be deepened (at present the tenon is sitting proud of the body. The tote will be stained ebony and the body will be oiled and waxed. I think the horn on the tote needs to be shortened a little. What do you think?

The mouth is very tight, probably too tight, but it is making nice shavings and I will probably live with it like this for a while (it is easier to open a mouth than close it up).

So here we are at present. I should call it the Cohen-Gordon-Knight jointer ....

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Philly]

Looking good Derek!
As you say, the parentage is a little mixed :lol:
I like it though - the horn needs shortening on the tote but otherwise a good look.
Cheers
Philly

 

[MikeW]

Hey Derek, I really like the slight triangular shape on the front ala Gordon. That's always looked nice and seems comfortable to me.

I would probably leave the top horn as is if I liked the shape and reduce it if I thought it interfered with use later.

Take care, Mike