jimi43":2mp0exvt said:
AndyT":2mp0exvt said:
I'm sure I've seen pictures of a copy, possibly in an old Woodworker magazine, but can't remember where or find it easily. I agree that a complete copy would help make the exhibit more intelligible to non-woodworkers.
I'm not offering, mind!
Ok...I can see the seeds of a fun project here....
Can we see if we can get some drawings and if a copy was made...I'm sure you can find it Prof!!! 8)
Jimi
Ok, here's a little bit more information, easy to find.
This link
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/ArchCant/Vol.073 - 1959/11/196-201.htm leads to an article by Bill Goodman (a well-known name in the world of planes!) and G Dunning, which describes an Anglo-Saxon plane found at Sarre, in Kent and compares it to other ancient planes, including the Silchester one.
The reproduction I was thinking of is probably this one, which is shown alongside the Sarre plane, in the museum at Maidstone,
handily placed for any woodworkers based in the "Garden of England!"
The article does also include this line drawing of the Silchester plane as it might have been when complete, which also appears in Goodman's book on the History of Woodworking Tools:
I can't find dimensions on line, but in his book, Goodman argues that the Silchester plane would have only had one hand grip, at the rear, noting that the space between the rear rivets is 3 3/8" whereas at the front there is too small a gap, of only 2 3/4".
He helpfully suggests how the plane could have been made:
"The wooden block is first prepared to size, the mouth cut out, and drilled to take the vertical rivets. This is fixed to the iron sole, and finally the side plates are riveted in position, the handle slotted out, and the whole filed and smoothed to shape."
I expect the Reading museum could provide measurements if they were offered a reproduction to put on display, but I don't think they would have the budget to commission one.
PS - JimB - the Dartmouth link you found is a drawing of another Roman plane found at St Albans, which is of simpler construction without iron side plates, and with room for a hand grip at the front.
