Some pictures of the completed No 982 panel planes (14 1/2″). I made a limited edition of 8 of these planes, a few were made with the brass cones.
February 13, 2011
December 26, 2010
Window to my workshop 48
Now that the No 982 lever caps are 99% complete I shall move on.
The beginning. Cutting up bottoms and sides from hot rolled black mild steel. This is a very malleable material with no stresses.
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November 21, 2010
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After the completion of the No 982 smoothing planes it was not long before I was pressed into making a larger version in the form of a panel plane. Because of the enormity of work on this plane I have decided to make only 8 for this batch.
For the benefit of those who have bought this plane I would like to blog the making. Hopefully it will show up some areas I did not cover on the smoothing plane blog.
You will notice that I do change my techniques from time to time.
I will start this blog by documenting the work on the lever cap. I would like to emphasise the work that goes into this one component. Though I have used castings in the past for my lever caps I feel more in control by making them from a solid bar and I produce a far better product. I now understand why some of the Rolls Royce cameras bodies are made from solid billets.
Starting with a bar of naval brass I go round and machine all the sides true, just like you would with a piece of wood.
If this was a piece of wood the next stage would be to machine a form i.e. either with a spindle or a router. In the case of metals I have to concentrate more on work holding so this picture shows me setting up three vices in a line. The bars I am working are 18 inches long and cut 8 lever caps each.
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October 18, 2010
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I have just found this blog entry for No 982 smoother that I forgot to finish. As it is very similar to the blog entry for the No 982 panel plane 14 1/2″ I have already done this week I thought I would just publish the pictures with no comments.
September 20, 2010
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A few more pictures to conclude the subject of polymer. Feel free to comment on whether it is worth it when you have seen the finished product.
Hopefully this plane will be on exhibition at the WIA conference next month with The Best Things.
As you can see the polymer is worked in the same way as wood and the shaping is all done by hand.
Another view showing the fixing recess.
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September 15, 2010
November 22, 2009
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No 982 smoothing plane in the making – 7
Just a few pictures of the wip of the adjuster mechanism for the No 982. I seem to miss a lot of photo opportunities but I will use the few I have got.
Pictures showing some of the milling operations for the main adjuster body. The making of this component also includes some lathe work which is not shown.
September 21, 2009
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No 982 smoothing plane in the making – 6
Picture shows bottom and sides ready for assembly. This is showing the blade kickers riveted in place, both handle risers already fixed and both bridges in place. Note that the blade kickers hold the blade central whilst lateral adjustment is being applied to the blade.
September 12, 2009
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No 982 smoothing plane in the making - 5
There are 24 handle risers being ground true. Made in pairs joined end to end for ease of working.
September 9, 2009
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No 982 smoothing plane in the making - 4
Now cutting the bottoms to separate the back end from the front – otherwise I will have the tightest mouth in the world. Actually the whole sole is made in one piece for the ease of matching.