Category Archives: Handplanes

New: ‘Mastering Hand Tools: Basic Skills for Balanced Woodworking’

Posted on April 1, 2012 by

If you read this blog, you probably are are interested in hand tools. And if you are at the beginning of your journey, this blog entry is for you. Popular Woodworking Magazine commissioned me to make a series of 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 6 Comments

Back Bevels for Block Planes

Posted on March 17, 2012 by

Some people use back bevels on bevel-down planes to increase the cutting angle up from the standard 45°. This reduces tear-out. However, some sources recommend these back bevels for block planes only. Huh? Yesterday evening I read “Carpenters’ Tools” by … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 10 Comments

Planing: A Veritable Donkey’s Bridge

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

Jeff Burks is a finish carpenter, dogged researcher and definitely a member of the “inner circle” of the world’s wood nerds. His healthy obsession with old books and trade magazines in particular has led me down some fun rabbet holes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Campaign Furniture, Handplanes | 16 Comments

‘Handplane Essentials’ Back in Stock

Posted on January 16, 2012 by

We have just received a new load of “Handplane Essentials” from the second printing of this book, which I wrote in 2009. All the backorders for this book have been filled – so if you were on that list, your … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in Print, Handplanes, Products We Sell | 4 Comments

The Lazy Way to Plane Around Corners

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

During most classes I teach, someone asks me how to plane a glued-up rail-and-stile joint so it’s flush. My answer: Don’t do it. Yes, it can be done. There have been barrels of ink spent to write about this topic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 3 Comments

Classes I’m Teaching in 2012

Posted on September 5, 2011 by

Earlier this year, I announced that I wouldn’t be teaching any woodworking classes in 2012 in order to give my family a break from my sometimes-hectic travel schedule. After stepping down as editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine in June, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes, Saws, The Anarchist's Tool Chest, Uncategorized, Woodworking Classes, Workbenches | 11 Comments

Rescinding a Recommendation: Gabardi & Sons

Posted on June 19, 2011 by

Matt Hodgson of Gabardi & Sons makes some nice planes. No doubt about it. But after hearing from several of his customers (and one of his creditors) this year, I have to rescind my recommendation of his business. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 20 Comments

Adjusting H & R's

Posted on November 26, 2010 by

I got a couple of hollows and rounds from a friend. They were made by Matt Bickford of M. S. Bickford Planes, and are sweet. Well except for one part of the plane. The back is showing some damage. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes, The Anarchist's Tool Chest | 7 Comments

How to Work Mouldings by Hand from 'The Woodworker'

Posted on November 4, 2010 by

It is often necessary, especially when repairing or adding to old work or making up furniture from old materials, to have a few feet of moulding to a special pattern, which does not approach in size or outline the stock … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 3 Comments

What Scraper Planes are For

Posted on October 11, 2009 by

With all the super-tuned, high-angle planes on the market today, you might think that scraper planes are a vestigial organ of the pre-bevel-up-plane era. After all, once you get a handplane’s pitch up above 60°, tear-out tends to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Handplanes | 5 Comments