Top 6 questions about using hand planes
Top 6 questions about using hand planes
Rob Cosman answers the 6 top questions he gets about hand planes and hand planning
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My opinion…Not your plane, not your problem! Do what you want. It’s yours!
Nice!!!
I set the sole of my plane down much to the absolute disgust and abject horror of my 77-year-old father who is an old-school carpenter & joiner. We have had some intense discussions on the subject I can tell you! LOL.
Does your 32 seconds to sharp also work with diamond stones? The Charlesworth thing as well? Theory wise, it seems like they should. But, I’m a beginner sharpener and have much to learn.
The only proper way to store a hand plane is upside down putting the full weight on the tote and iron. Proceed to dump all chisels on-top of the exposed blade to ensure compliance of tool. Taste for sharpness.
Hi Rob. I saw the live show 1/7/23. You mentioned Super Dave who is quite super. But do you know there was a US comedian who performed under the name Super Dave Osborn who recently passed? The difference was he performed stunts like jumping cars over busses which always failed in spectacular ways.
I have watch several to many of your videos and others. Maybe I have missed it but how much pressure should I be applying? Squish peeled banana, grape, apple… having a tough time sharpening. Am I pressing too hard?
Can I use my trend diamond plate to flatten the bottom of my 5½ woodriver?
Rob, I just bought a WoodRiver V3 No. 5-1/2 Bench Hand Plane and the lever cap keeps coming loose. It moves back with the chip breaker when I retract the blade, but it slides on the chip breaker when I move the blade forward (into the wood). The cap screw isn’t setting flat on the lever cap either, the lever cap is sloped downward towards the tip of the blade. So as the lever cap slides rearward it loosens quickly to the point it has fallen off in my hand while attempting to square the blade with the sole of the plane. Woodriver sent me a replacement lever cap, but it is no different than my original. I went into a local Woodcraft and two of their new V3 No. 5-1/2 Bench Hand Planes were showing varying degrees of the same issue. I contacted Woodriver Tech support and was told some movement is normal, but I can’t even get the blade set to use it before the lever cap has loosened to the point of not holding the blade or even just coming off. They suggested that I contact you regarding this issue??? Any Ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
All the Best, Chuck
Very good
Funny, until I saw a couple videos by people saying to set the plane down on it’s side to keep from hurting the blade, I never even considered it. I set mine down on the sole every time, and consider the chance to catch my finger on the blade if it’s on the side to be the number one reason not to do it. Agree completely with every reason you gave for setting on the sole.
Also, the only time I pick up the plane after a cut is when it’s a really long board like 3 or 4 feet or so. Then you have to walk back to the start point so it makes sense to pick up the plane and carry it back. I figured over the years I may have wasted a whole two minutes dulling the blade by keeping it on the wood all the time. <G>
Thanks for the info/review.
What are the holes in the side of Robs plane?
Are you doing a tribute to Mr. Charlesworth with your haircut?
Great Video as always!👍🏻
Curious if you’ve put a back bevel on your lie nielson blades?
The Charlesworth trick should only be used for old out of flat blades it’s sacrilege to do to it to a new blade.
Odd that you advocate using it on a brand new blade out of the box.
But thats like, my opinion man ha.
Paul Sellers suggests that the reason people were taught to lay the plane on its side is because school shop teachers didn’t want to spend all their time fixing blades that got nicked because a careless 12-year-old plunked the plane blade down on a screwdriver. As Mr. Sellers says, we’re adults, and we know how to be careful.
Also; with the old vs. new , an old bedrock can fetch over 100.00, so you’re already up there in price.
Rob can I use paste wax??
I can’t seem to find the lip balm stick that you use
Where do you buy yours??
Thanks for your knowledge
I really enjoy your teachings
Your videos have helped me greatly
Thanks for the well done videos Rob, I have followed you for a few months now and have to comment on your exceptional presentation skills. You sir are a pleasure to watch. Stan S
Im a planing newbie, so this is very helpful. In terms of question 2, for newbies is it right to say what is obvious to seasoned planers, and that is if you leave the plane engaged on the back stroke, you would need to make sure the blade passes all the way back to before the beginning of the workpiece, right? If you start cutting forward again before the blade has cleared the front of the workpiece, you are probably un-flattening your board instead of flattening it. Is that right?
I understand your frustration with Question #1. I have seen people say never set your plane on the workbench sole down and then put it into a plane till with a wood base. I have never figured the difference if you are careful.
Thank you so much Rob
Always good info and refreshers. OK, now for a smart a** comment: Are the Canadian barber shops closed?
I have a naive question! I get how a jointer is able to produce a flat surface since the outfeed table is a bit higher than the indeed side. But with the hand plane, the entire sole is a single surface, and the blade protrudes from it – so on a super basic level, it still seems like magic that one could ever really get a perfectly flat surface since the blade is removing the reference surface for the part of the sole behind the cut. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I believe it works, but I’m puzzled why. Love your work and channel and all you do for vets!!
Instead of wax on the sole I use GT85 spray. Just a bit and spread it with a cloth. Lubricates also the rest of the plane – and smells good.
I think dragging the plane back sort of sharpens the blade, problem is it sharpens it at a slightly higher angle than the bed, really hard to tell if that makes a difference, it feels to me like it does a bit.
If you liked this video then check out Robs Hand Plane basics Playlist here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqUOljnY0d9foFZY0OpBFiYNsefYhffsb
Since my bench gets many other uses and is thus not a good place to set a plane, I keep a small piece of the rubber stuff for lining tool drawers close by to set a plane on.
Went back and reviewed your "how to sharpen plane blade 2020". So if I understand correctly there is no need to polish the entire back of the plane blade, if the blade is already flat or concave(slight hollow ground)…you can use the Dave C. method. Correct?. If it is not flat either flatten it or get a new blade?
David Charlesworth what an inspiration thanks for carrying his torch
That wax is good stuff!
Is it possible that the reason my woodshop teacher insisted on our putting the plane down on its side (and you got a ‘swat’ on your fanny if you didn’t – yes…I know I am dating myself to "way back when" ) was that with five or six classes of 30 boys (as it was "way back then") using the plane the blades got dull very quickly (and the class bully had great fun wandering around turning planes onto their bases…until he got caught and got five big ones on his fanny from the shop teacher)? That was a lot of sharpening for the teacher, and anything that the kept the blade from dulling in any way was plus.
Thx Rob, an excellent tutorial👍
Hand sharpening a plane blade the Cosman style is easy…learned how to do it after watching Rob both live at wood shows and via YouTube…it’s a game changer. If I can do it, anybody can.
Rob you’re my hero! I loved that you said “it’s your plane…”. I think a lot of woodworkers get taught a technique. Obviously they respect their instructor so that’s the “right way”. We forget the goal: enjoy woodworking and be proud of what we make. Want to cut dovetails? The way to cut them is to remove the stuff that shouldn’t be there. Use Rob’s method, use Paul sellers method, use your teeth. It doesn’t matter. No matter who’s technique you follow you’ll get the job done. Are there advantages? Sure. But we should never say someone is wrong. In my shop I’m never wrong. Remember, there are no rules. Just lessons learned. 😊
3:47 I have to disagree with your answer to #3. The real answer is, "Yes it does unless you use our super secret proprietary magic wax which can be purchased exclusively on our website."
Why don’t you use the bench pit (I don’t know how to call it in english, it’s called Banklade in German) to put your plane in? So you can put it down parallel to the ground without the blade touching.
I went through that sharpening video recently (several times) and practiced on some planes that were given to me that are over 100 years old. I have to say that it paid off big time. I have been working on a repair to the molding of a dining room buffet table for a friend. Having a very sharp pair of planes made the early shaping of the new wood easy and quite enjoyable. My chisels have also benefitted from what I learned sharpening my plane blades. I can’t sharpen the blade in 32 seconds, but it doesn’t take very long at all. Thanks for these videos that you put out. I have learned a ton.
HAHAHAHAHA "So dull you gotta get someone to help you push it" Hilarious! Thanks for the new vid. It makes my day to get that notification. Thanks for what you do for the vets too. There’s gotta be a hockey rink in heaven with your name on it.
Valuable information, especially for a beginner, which I am. Thank you and all the best. Sincerely, your admirer.
Why not stop at just the secondary bevel? Is the purpose of the tertiary bevel just to keep subsequent sharpening sessions to minimal time.
SO what are the holes on the left side of your plane mate. Noticed it in one of your previous videos. Did I miss a video when ya did it or am I seeing something that isn’t there lol 🙂 Thanks for the information mate.
Can you recommend a good beginning hand plane? Thanks.
‘Jesus Saves’
Thanks Rob. You made a comment about cupped stones. Any thoughts about doing a video on flattening stones?
Like anything in life, you need to find a mentor to help you along. MUST be someone you trust and are willing to follow blind until you find YOUR way. Rob is the mentor.
Advice backed by MANY years of common sense woodworking. Words WE can trust! !! !!!
Top of the muffin to ya senior cosman
Question: why are their holes on your favorite no . 5 1/2 WR? Is it for a shooting board handle?
What’s the thickness of the steel rule for using the Charlesworth back bevel trick? Thanks 🙏🏻
I think David Charlesworth said on a 3-inch-wide stone, the ruler trick introduces a back bevel of 2/3 of a degree