I've been looking at the fine-tools.com web site for a while; particularly at some tools that don't seem to be available from UK sellers. I'd been put off buying from the site as I wasn't sure how the import would work out since we left the EU. Well a couple of weeks ago I thought sod it and put in an order. It took a little over a week and the process wasn't too painful. Fine tools refunded the VAT soon after I put the order in. A week after I got notification from Parcel Force, that I needed to pay VAT on entry into the country, and there was a handling fee (about £15). I paid the VAT and fee and the tools arrived the next day.
The two main tools were a Frame Saw and a Scrub plane. There were also a couple of small bits and pieces.
Today I got a chance to use the new tools. I needed to rip an oak board (1.8 metres x 2in thick) to remove the live edges and get it near to size. The board is heavy and I didn't fancy trying to get it through my bandsaw on my own. So I put the board on a couple of stools and used my new frame saw to rip off the sides.
The saw cut through the board really easily. I wasn't sure of the best way to hold the saw with it canted off to one side, but it cut so easily that most of the ways I held the saw seemed to work. I took about ten minutes to rip each side and I didn't find it as hard as I think I would have with a normal panel saw. I think the thin blade makes things easier. The blade could wander but it was very easy to correct. The main issue was that saw dust from each cut would cover the line I was following. So I had to keep stopping to remove the dust with each few strokes.
I bought the version with the general purpose Japanese saw blade and I am very pleased with it. But I think in the future I would like to get a pair of the dedicated rip and cross saw blades to give them a try.
Once the sides were cut off I need to start working on the board thickness. To do this I used the new scrub saw
I've fancied getting a dedicated scrub plane for a while, but they don't come up second hand too often and are quite expensive new. This one is only 76.63 euro and I am very pleased with it. It's wooden, but that didn't bother me as I have a few second hand traditional wooden planes and find them a joy to use. To be honest, I quite liked the idea of trying a new wooden plane and particularly one in the European style with the front horn grip.
The plane is easy to use. The blade is 33 mm wide and highly curved so cuts deep narrow cuts easily. The main issue is that it generates a lot of chippings and it can clog up the mouth fairly quickly. So I had to make sure I cleared it out regularly. Done often, that's just a case of turning upside down and giving it a quick shake.
I'm really pleased with my purchases. Both tools work well and are a pleasure to use.
The two main tools were a Frame Saw and a Scrub plane. There were also a couple of small bits and pieces.
Today I got a chance to use the new tools. I needed to rip an oak board (1.8 metres x 2in thick) to remove the live edges and get it near to size. The board is heavy and I didn't fancy trying to get it through my bandsaw on my own. So I put the board on a couple of stools and used my new frame saw to rip off the sides.
The saw cut through the board really easily. I wasn't sure of the best way to hold the saw with it canted off to one side, but it cut so easily that most of the ways I held the saw seemed to work. I took about ten minutes to rip each side and I didn't find it as hard as I think I would have with a normal panel saw. I think the thin blade makes things easier. The blade could wander but it was very easy to correct. The main issue was that saw dust from each cut would cover the line I was following. So I had to keep stopping to remove the dust with each few strokes.
I bought the version with the general purpose Japanese saw blade and I am very pleased with it. But I think in the future I would like to get a pair of the dedicated rip and cross saw blades to give them a try.
Once the sides were cut off I need to start working on the board thickness. To do this I used the new scrub saw
I've fancied getting a dedicated scrub plane for a while, but they don't come up second hand too often and are quite expensive new. This one is only 76.63 euro and I am very pleased with it. It's wooden, but that didn't bother me as I have a few second hand traditional wooden planes and find them a joy to use. To be honest, I quite liked the idea of trying a new wooden plane and particularly one in the European style with the front horn grip.
The plane is easy to use. The blade is 33 mm wide and highly curved so cuts deep narrow cuts easily. The main issue is that it generates a lot of chippings and it can clog up the mouth fairly quickly. So I had to make sure I cleared it out regularly. Done often, that's just a case of turning upside down and giving it a quick shake.
I'm really pleased with my purchases. Both tools work well and are a pleasure to use.
