The “keeper” router plane WIP

[CHJ]

You won't hurt HSS tools with Brass, they work fine on a metal lathe to cut mild steel.

 

[AES]

+1 for what "he" said about HSS tools on brass! I'm VERY impressed with the above metal turning on a wood lathe BTW. EXCELLENT looking results and something to be proud off. Makes me feel a little less "guilty" about the small amount of wood turning that I do on a metal lathe!

AES

 

[CHJ]

Another use for your Knurling tool, if you have jigs or wooden lathe spindle jigs requiring regular relocation.

Make up some simple Brass or Aluminium centre inserts to mount in them, that way it doesn't matter how many times you remount or re-locate they will run true. Just did these this morning for some Test turnings and sample use.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Update... i finally got around to doing the brass plate to the top, so rough cut with a hacksaw then filed away to size.

I scuffed up and used a punch to knock some ‘dents’ to the underside of the brass plate in the hopes to help the brass bond with the epoxy and then glued it on and shaped further using files.

I still need to sand/polish it up properly, but other projects are priority at the moment. But as a whole the plane functions perfectly!! Just been using it on some half blind dovetails on this sideboard/TV cabinet i’ve been making, and its been so satisfying to use.

 

[AES]

VERY impressive Sawdust=manglitter. IMO your metal working skills are a perfect match to your woody skills. Very well done Sir!

=D> =D>

AES

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

VERY impressive Sawdust=manglitter. IMO your metal working skills are a perfect match to your woody skills. Very well done Sir!

Don't know about metalworking skills, it's the first time I've done anything with metal since school, but thank you anyway AES

 

[AES]

I don't know about "since school" but it's obvious you've taken care and used skill (yes, it's that stuff you earn by doing things - in this case in metal) and IMO you have every reason to be proud of your self and your work. That tool's not only a keeper but assuming you have interested kids and/or family, it'll become an heirloom ("My Great Uncle Arfur made that himself!").

It just looks "lovely" and assuming it works (which I don't doubt) you really have "gorn n dunnit"!

BTW, I really value this Forum for all the stuff you see and advice freely given - just FYI, until I joined up here I didn't even know there was such a tool as a hand router plane.

AES

 

[adidat]

really well executed tool! you should be very pleased!

Adidat

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks both. Yes I am very pleased, with it’s performance in particular. I’ve never owned a router plane, but having used this one I wish i’d bought one/made one sooner.

 

[lee celtic]

Functional and beautiful too... very impressed with the idea and the craftsmanship.. Fine work...

 

[MusicMan]

Oops! I meant grades of brass, not grades of wood. Freudian slip there.

I think Musicman is a metallurgist, if he reads this maybe he could advise?

Not much to add to Sawdust's web research. You definitely do not want alpha brass (single phase), which is for rolling and drawing and doesn't cut freely. Alpha/beta brass (two phase, with the beta phase more brittle) is designed for machining as the chips break off. And preferably a bit of lead which helps the chips break off and lubricates a bit. You don't need lubricant/coolant with brass unless you are doing a heavy cut. But short rods that you get from ebay are likely to be the right stuff. Alpha brass is usually sold as sheet or wire, not rod/bar.

The technique Sawdust used is actually jewellers' lathe on steroids. Jewellers use gravers in much the same way woodworkers use scrapers. It can be very delicate and precise, as we see here. Nice work and great improvisation, Sawdust! I'm particularly impressed by your crisp knurling.

Keith