Events Calendar
Making a European Hand Plane
This class is modeled after the Woodworks show on the same topic by David Marks (DIY Channel). The class will present a method for constructing and tuning your own hand plane from a solid block of wood. Construction is simple and straightforward, yet there are many opportunities to customized your hand plane and optimize it for specific jobs. We hope this class will challenge members to attempt to make their own hand plane. Plane irons can be purchased through various online sources and are also available locally at Highland Woodworking.
Bob Aldea showed a different perspective by making two hand planes of his own. One, a small radius plane, will be used for making curved surface musical instruments such as a violin. Bob made this 3" long plane entirely from scrap supplies in his shop including the plane iron made from a broken HSS planer blade. His second was a scraper plane using a purchased Stanley #80 scraper blade. The body made entirely from wood works just as well as the store bought version.
Download Paul's Build a Wooden Hand Plane document (PDF format) or view the Build a Hand Plane class notes online. Click HERE for pictures from this class.