Tuesday 6 November 2007

Who was I kidding.


There is no way I was going to be able to stick to one morning a week on the 28-1/2" jointer. Even when I was working on the Boxwood XSNo.4 this plane was calling me.

Here are a few shots from the last week or so...


Using a 22-1/2" A2 jointer to dress the rear infill was not totally necessary... but it sure was cool.

One of the things I am constantly struck by is how much more work a plane of this size is. There appears to be a magical point where adding inches to a planes length becomes exponentially more work. The jump from a 16-1/2" panel to a 22-1/2" jointer is nothing compared to jump from 22-1/2" to 28-1/2". The individual parts are just that much bigger. The rear infill is so long, that without careful attention - I could have planed a twist into it. I am glad I had done the "perfect board" exercise when I was at Rosewood Studios. The front bun was similar. Keeping all the curves parallel and consistent was much harder than on a smaller jointer.




Thankfully - fitting the handle and cutting the adjuster mortise and slot went like they always do.



Which brings me to a cross-road...






... bronze or stainless steel? I have a week to decide while I build up coats of french polish on the infill - but I honestly have no idea which to use. Any thoughts?

17 Comments:

Blogger Andy said...

Since you asked... I vote for stainless. Looks like it will match the rest of the plane. I don't see any other bronze on the plane - will there be any other bronze accents? If not, I think the sharp yet consistent contrast between the steel and the dark wood is really classy.

Looks great! Always love looking at your pictures,
Andy

7 November 2007 at 00:22  
Blogger Philly said...

Looking awesome!!
I say go for the stainless adjuster - love the stainless/ebony combo :)
Cheers
Phil

7 November 2007 at 02:44  
Blogger Konrad said...

Thanks guys.

So far - there seems to be overwhelming support for stainless. I should have clarified that by "stainless" I meant a stainless knurled adjuster, lever cap and lever cap screw... following the A5ss. But somehow... I think you already knew that:)

Cheers,
Konrad

7 November 2007 at 07:55  
Blogger Unknown said...

Another vote for stainless. I love brass on tools, but that stainless really shines when contrasted with the ebony. Very nice looking.

7 November 2007 at 12:08  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for stainless also! For me it complements the ebony beautifully. Fabulous work Konrad! Enjoyed your presentation at the SAWS meeting in Calgary last week. I envy/admire your ability to create such works of art. Awesome!!
Bill

7 November 2007 at 12:50  
Blogger F. Horne said...

Gotta be stainless!

Which reminds me....we need to talk about a stainless panel. Am thinking a narrow one this time--2-1/4" blade.

Wiley

7 November 2007 at 14:19  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am chanting a la Ruprecht from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels "Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel!"

7 November 2007 at 15:24  
Blogger Konrad said...

Oooh Wiley.... now that sounds like a great plane! What length were you thinking - in the 13-1/2" to 14-1/2" range? That length feels about right to me. Interestingly... the next blog entry will shed some light on my Ebony supply... :)

7 November 2007 at 16:01  
Blogger F. Horne said...

I was thinking of a junior try plane, as opposed to a true panel. So maybe longer than 14-1/2", but still narrow. With infill and bedding angle selected for best balance--really what I'm looking for is a jr. try with great balance.

Wiley

7 November 2007 at 19:02  
Blogger Unknown said...

That is an awesome jointer. Definitely SS for the adjuster. You'll have to let us know the final weight when lever cap and iron are in.
I like your "Lee Valley monthly woodworking flyer cover photo" ;)using the Tucker vise to dress the rear infill. How do you like the vise? Does it compare to the Emmert vise on your new/old bench?

cheers, Jay

7 November 2007 at 19:03  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Wiley,

That sounds like a really great variation. Maybe a york pitch and 15-1/2"? I have a standard 14-1/2" A1ss to do in a few months - it will be interesting to see where the balance point is on it. I will keep you posted.

Best wishes,
Konrad

7 November 2007 at 20:55  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Jay,

The Tucker is fantastic. Lee Valley was kind enough to bring a spare bench for me to use at the Calgary show this past weekend... and it had a Tucker too. I think I may have sold a few for them:) I have not finished restoring the Emmert yet.... but I suspect it will be rather amazing. Stay tuned!

Cheers,
Konrad

7 November 2007 at 20:59  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Konrad:
Stainless for my vote. Polished if possible.
Great site, excellent photos.

Dan

14 November 2007 at 14:26  
Blogger TerryG said...

I hate to be the lone dissenting voice but I actually prefer the bronze. It seems to me to be a little crowning glory on that flagship. But then again I'm predisposed to little touches like that.
That thing needs a postal code.
Terry

14 November 2007 at 21:18  
Blogger TerryG said...

I would hate to be the lone dissenting voice, but I actually like the bronze. Its seems to be a little crowning glory on that flag ship. Maybe its just me!!
Terry G

14 November 2007 at 21:19  
Blogger Konrad said...

Thanks Dan,

Polished... hmmm - how polished? I have been experimenting with really polished chamfers lately - maybe the lever could use a bit more polish too. Hmmmm....

Cheers,
Konrad

14 November 2007 at 21:22  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi Terry,

A postal code... now that's funny!

I hate to say it - but you are certainly in the minority... but I do hear what you are saying. I have decided on stainless... but I hope someone orders one with bronze so I can compare the two.

Cheers,
Konrad

14 November 2007 at 21:24  

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