Beading planes are the crack of the wooden moulding plane world. If you’ve had trouble finding a good beader, consider buying a new one from Caleb James or one of the other great makers.
Caleb has just opened orders for his next batch of beading planes in 3/16” and 1/4” sizes.
They are excellent. Details here.
— Christopher Schwarz
I realize that Chris is a much more reliable source of recommendations than me someone no body knows, but I own four Caleb James planes and they are amazing. I can’t wait for my 3/16 beader to arrive in the mail!
Is there any more perfect bead than 3/16? It’s like the golden ratio of beads. Caleb’s work is beautiful.
Dude, you need a support group.
That way you can pool your money to buy more. 😉
…or was it Bickford… DOH!
Thank you Chris…I just missed out on the first batch and was actively crossing my fingers that I’d get another shot! There’s now a 3/16″ plane coming with my name on it.
I had the chance to use on of Caleb’s beading planes a few weeks ago. Pure bliss. Smooth, precise, sharp, fast. It felt like holding an 18th C plane that had never been used; an artifact that had been left, forgotten but perfectly preserved, in a master’s tool chest.
I’ve used CJ planes at several shows and agree how nice they are. I have not taken the plunge for fear they won’t work as well for me because I don’t know how to really fettle the darn things.
I have several vintage wood planes and cannot tell if the idiot in the machine is me or the hunk of wood. Times like this are when I can feel the attraction of CNC George Jetson woodworking. 🙂
…or was it Bickford… DOH!
Such a spas today, replied to myself in the wrong thread.