Should I Choose a #3 or #4 Smoothing Plane for My Needs?
I'm starting my collection of hand planes and I'm trying to decide between a #3 or a #4 for smoothing. I'm planning to have the typical set of…
hand planes
Is a B Grade Granite Surface Plate Worth It for Flattening Hand Plane Soles?
I've been having a blast collecting and restoring vintage hand planes, and I'm considering whether a budget B grade granite surface plate would be a decent setup for…
Which Planes Should I Choose for My Woodshop: Stanley Sweetheart, Vintage, or Lie Nielsen?
I'm transforming part of my basement into a woodshop, and the first project is to build a workbench. For this, I need a couple of planes: a 62…
Can Any Plane Be Used as a Jointer?
Hey everyone! I've got a bit of a beginner's question here. I'm contemplating getting a jointer plane, but I'm curious—couldn't most types of planes be utilized as a…
Lie Nielsen vs Pre-WW2 Stanleys: Are They Worth the Upgrade?
I've got some pre-WW2 Stanley hand planes that I've reconditioned and really enjoy the history behind these tools. They perform well for me, but I'm curious about others'…
What are some ways to fix loose handles on my old hand planes?
I'm currently in the process of restoring two vintage hand planes: a #4 Craftsman from my great-grandfather and a #5 Stanley Defiance that I scored for just $10…
Why Do My Plane Shavings Fold Up Instead of Curling?
I recently got my hands on a #4 1/2 plane and sharpened it up. When I used it next to my #4 plane on the same piece of…
Are Woodriver Hand Planes Overrated?
I've been dealing with quality control issues with my Woodriver #5 hand plane, which I recently posted about. After receiving advice to return it because the quality shouldn't…
What Hand Plane Should I Start With for Smoothing Walnut Lumber?
Hey folks! I've got a cozy garage workshop where I love to tinker, and I recently found a good stash of rough sawn walnut lumber. The boards are…
What’s the Best Hand Plane to Start With?
I'm looking to get into hand planes and was wondering, if you could recommend just one versatile jack-of-all-trades plane as a first purchase, which would it be? Is…
Is Hard Maple Really That Tough to Plane?
I've been struggling with planing hard maple and I'm not sure why it's such a pain. Just recently, I found that planing gabon ebony was significantly easier than…
Thoughts on Using Faithfull Hand Planes for Beginners?
I'm diving into woodworking and have a couple of vintage hand planes—like a Stanley Handyman and a Craftsman bench plane that belonged to my grandpa. Although I've restored…