Drool Yourselves Dry - Planes a go-go

[Alf]

On a February Friday not so long ago, most of the cream of the plane-making world gathered at the home of Popular Woodworking and got to play with all these. Warning: Cover your keyboard and prepare for an eye-popping overload of pics. A bit of background here and here.

Cheers, Alf

Sorry if this is a duplicate post as far as you're concerned; I know well this will do the rounds of every neanderthal forum on the face of the 'net, but this is for those who only come on here.

 

[Philly]

Ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh =P~
Need to lie down now.
Philly

 

[George_N]

I've just been posting questions about refurbishing old Record and Stanley planes...I'll get me coat.

George

 

[kygaloot]

No need to leave George. You will notice amongst the glittering brass and over-stuffed rosewood, two Hock-ironed Stanley No. 5's and a few humble Krenovians. Workhorses mixing with the pampered aristocracy.

I recognized Chris Schwarz, Ron Hock, Don McConnell, and Brian Buckner. Can anyone identify any of the other folks?

Hopefully, the western style vest is not a growing fad amongst Colonial galoots.

 

[kygaloot]

I recognized Chris Schwarz, Ron Hock, Don McConnell, and Brian Buckner. Can anyone identify any of the other folks?

Oops. Should have actually read Alf's links before I typed away.

Tinkerty tonk.

 

[Evergreen]

Oooooooooh, that's nice.

But to be honest, there's some weird looking planes amongst that lot. Beautifully made, no doubt, but definitely eccentric. In particular, those Sauer and Steiner planes look uncomfortable to me. It's that huge square knob on the front. And their big planes have a sort of "battleship" look to them.

There. I've committed sacrilege!

 

[Paul Chapman]

Wow, they look nice Alf.

But I'm not at all envious :^o

Paul

 

[Midnight]

There. I've committed sacrilege!

the boogieman's gonna come gitchya now..... be afraid..!!

 

[MikeW]

Oooooooooh, that's nice.

But to be honest, there's some weird looking planes amongst that lot. Beautifully made, no doubt, but definitely eccentric. In particular, those Sauer and Steiner planes look uncomfortable to me. It's that huge square knob on the front. And their big planes have a sort of "battleship" look to them.

There. I've committed sacrilege!

Not sacrilege at all. Personal preference.

Konrad actually makes a very traditional British-style panel. I've had both British and Scottish examples that other than having over a hundred years of use, look very similar. Of course, his are shiney-new looking.

Still got a Scottish infill I need to rebuild sitting not 5 feet from me that has a good square bun. At least it is square across the front of the bun. Someone decided oh so many years ago that a rounded shape would be more comfortable and eased the side and back sharp edges of it. It is just wood after all.

Nice thing about custom planemakers--there's quite a few and I would imagine they would make you about anything you would like.

All it takes is the cash.

Take care, Mike

 

[MikeW]

On a February Friday not so long ago...

Still wish I had been a fly on the wall.

The "Event" was more than just meeting one another and talking/using the planes. Aside from the informal gatherings beginning Thursday evening as many arrived and got settled, hotel shenanigans and most likely some meals together, I hope the goals began to be realized and we, the users, become recipients of the sharing of ideas.

Take care, Mike

 

[superunknown]

Very nice!

 

[Jarviser]

I see they tried out each other's offerings. Good job they all worked perfectly - I wouldn't like to be the one who's plane tore a chunk out of the test piece in front of that audience!

 

[martyn2]

:lol: This is totaly unfair Alf puting a post like that philly still shakeing and my poor heart i wish i could have been there.

nice post Alf

Martyn

 

[DaveL]

Nice one Alf, I am not sure that if I had been a fly I would have stayed on the wall. :shock:
Nice to see all those ideas being talked though and reasons for things explained.
I have had a lie down but still feel a bit shaky. 8-[

 

[frank]

alf i am very very dissapointed that pop wood never invited you (with all expenses paid) i think i will send them a very strong letter and i hope the rest of the group do the same

frank

 

[Rob Lee]

alf i am very very dissapointed that pop wood never invited you (with all expenses paid) i think i will send them a very strong letter and i hope the rest of the group do the same

frank

Hi Frank -

There were a number of people that should have been there - starting with Mr Holtey.... though he was well represented by a number of his planes...

Perhaps there'll be a UK magazine that'll do the same thing.... there are a number of other UK planemakers who should have been represented too... I think I'd be adding Ian D to the list too!

And if a magazine won't do it - see if APTC will....!

Cheers -

Rob

(getting ready for the Cologne show.... Hall 4.1, Booth 050 for Veritas, though I'll be pounding through the aisles most of the time....)

 

[tombo]

wow...

what i found so interesting is that all these wonderful plane makers are in fact competitors, and yet they came together for an event like this :shock: I guess there is plenty of business for everybody and a market that has few players is less likely to innovate. Maybe the next time they hold the event our own Ian Dalziel will be invited

Tom

 

[Javier]

Maybe the next time they hold the event our own Ian Dalziel will be invited

Tom

Rumor has it he was invited but was at work at the oil rigs.

 

[Alf]

alf i am very very dissapointed that pop wood never invited you (with all expenses paid) i think i will send them a very strong letter and i hope the rest of the group do the same

You do that, Frank - heck, I've got all of two? Three? Wooden planes to my name... :lol: ('Course I'd need a bit of warning, not having one of they passport thingies you need for that there for'n travel.)

Perhaps there'll be a UK magazine that'll do the same thing.... there are a number of other UK planemakers who should have been represented too... I think I'd be adding Ian D to the list too!

I've not gone in for a detailed search of the pics, but Clifton seemed to be a bit of a glaring omission?

And if a magazine won't do it - see if APTC will....!

Given their "we already stock plane makes X and Y, so we won't be stocking Z" stance I think APTC would be a very long shot indeed. They don't seem to understand at all... :roll: :lol: Mike Hancock would be a better bet, but he's probably not got the resources to do it.

BTW, no pic of you wielding a plane, Rob? Sheesh, you really are a c*ll*ct*r, aren't you?

Cheers, Alf

 

[Rob Lee]

(snip)

BTW, no pic of you wielding a plane, Rob? Sheesh, you really are a c*ll*ct*r, aren't you?

Cheers, Alf

Now who's teasing???? :lol:

Yeah - I used a lot of the planes there, but we've all used planes before.... and anyone's plane, properly set-up and sharpened, is capable of taking an equal cut...

Then too - being shot while using a plane doesn't always leave one in the most flattering position.... and the internet IS "forever".... :lol:

Most of the time spent was in discussion, and in examination of other people's work...

'Sides - it not like we never get to plane wood here....we have a few planes lying about....

Cheers -

Rob