Make a Polygon Marking Gauge

Wheel marking gauges are great layout tools, but their round face means the tool has an annoying tendency to roll, which sometimes results in finding it on the floor with a chipped cutter. By reshaping the outside profile of the tool's face, it stays put and adds a touch of flair. This simple improvement takes about … Continue reading Make a Polygon Marking Gauge

New Grips for My Veritas #5-1/4 Bench Plane

Of all the bench planes (bevel-down) I have acquired, the Veritas ones have been by far the easiest to adjust and for that, I love them.  Blade adjustments have always been responsive and predictable; I could set the mouth to let through only a sliver of light quicker than you can read the upcoming quote, … Continue reading New Grips for My Veritas #5-1/4 Bench Plane

The Scrub Plane Build-Off

One night last week, fellow planemaker Scott Meek and I were discussing scrub planes.  Neither of us had ever built one and so we began a Scrub Plane Build-Off right then and there. Scott's plane was resawn, then laminated back together, the same way he makes the rest of his hand planes.  Here are the specs for his plane: Body: … Continue reading The Scrub Plane Build-Off

Veritas Inset Plane

I was asked to make a wooden body for a Veritas Inset Plane for demonstration purposes at Lee Valley's Coquitlam showroom.  Along with a basic instruction sheet, this is what was in the box. Completing the plane was a neat project that only required a few hours, so I took the opportunity to do a … Continue reading Veritas Inset Plane

Overflow, Part X

Years ago, I bought this Veritas Scraper Holder.  Soon after, I realized that I preferred to hold the scraper in my hands which, I felt, allowed increased sensitivity. Since I never use it, I am giving it away!  It's in perfect condition but a little dusty from being in the shop.  (I'm keeping the scraper … Continue reading Overflow, Part X

Maple Trestle Table, Session 7 – Installing Battens and Flattening the Underside

On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working.  That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 7 – Installing Battens and Flattening the Underside

Maple Trestle Table, Session 6 – Making Battens and Installing Countertop Connectors

On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working.  That got me yearning to build a trestle table. I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could … Continue reading Maple Trestle Table, Session 6 – Making Battens and Installing Countertop Connectors