Comments on: Window to my workshop 44

By: admin

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:45:07 +0000

Hi
I think the brass is easier to work than bronze and am not sure that bronze would lend itself to this application. Maybe I will look at this in the future; the bronze will make a much stronger contrast.
Having made a bronze mitre plane in the early days (it would be interesting to know where this is now) it acquired a colour and finish of its own very quickly. This was induced by lots of handling and finger marks which gave it a dark brown marbling effect.
“a complexity hidden by deceptively simple beauty and purity of form” This is my objective and it has also been said by a well known manufacturer that I hide all my work, but it is nice when people pick it out.
Thank you for your comments.

By: peter witty

peter witty — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:55:49 +0000

hello Karl,like most people involved with this wonderful business of working wood I think your planes are second to none with a complexity hidden by deceptively simple beauty and purity of form,I wondered what difference (if any) it would make to have the brass cones in bronze?

By: admin

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:44:15 +0000

Thanks Lou, have look at: http://www.ivoryalternative.com/

By: lou tucker

lou tucker — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:01:55 +0000

I THINK THE POLYMER TAKES IT TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL IN APPERENCE.WONDERFULL IDEA.CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN BUY THE MATERIAL.THANKS FOR THE PICS.

By: Steve C

Steve C — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:23:25 +0000

Hi Karl, I think the 982′s exposed brass cones makes the tortoise shell polymer work really well with this particular plane, I like it.

Cheers,
Steve

By: admin

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:53:32 +0000

Hi Dave

I’ll keep making the planes, you keep making the nice comments!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:52:06 +0000

I think the polymer would go well in a mitre plane or one in the style of my 11-sa. The horn sample that I used contrasts nicely with brass. I would think that the ebony type you can get would look a bit like plastic. I might get a sample though to see.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:49:19 +0000

Hi Michael

There doesn’t seem to be any darker colours available except for ebony.

The polymer doesn’t feel much different from wood, perhaps very slightly more grip.

By: David Weaver

David Weaver — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:49:23 +0000

Karl –

Excellent as usual, but surprisingly excellent given that it’s polymer and doesn’t look like a bowling ball from the 1950s. I still prefer wood and wouldn’t mind turning the screw when it needs tightened, but I have to say that is the finest looking polymer I’ve seen. If I glanced at it and someone told me it was polymerized horn or something, I would believe them.

I recognize that even with the preference of wood, the polymer is far more practical.

Of course, the usual level of finish and laser crisp fit that those of us clanking together planes could only dream of producing, too.

Best –
Dave

By: George

George — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:14:21 +0000

Karl: now that you,ve answered the material movement problem how do you think your customers would handle an infill plane made with a polymer? Maybe a black material with a grain to aproximate ebony. Great work as always.