Handtool workshop - Perth

[derekcohen]

For a few months now I have been thinking that it is waaaay overdue that we had a workshop on handtools. I am happy to run this. All that is needed is a bunch of friendly folk eager to swap skills, jokes, and tall stories.

Provisional Date: The week after Father's Day? Saturday 12th September?

Provisional Time: 9:30 a.m. until about 4:30 p.m. (breaking for lunch - I can supply the BBQ. BYO meat and beer).

Suggested topics (we need to choose from ...): (1) creating joints with handtools (dovetails, mortice & tenon, dados, sliding dados, rebates). (2) sharpening chisel and plane blades (freehand, guides, flat- and hollow grinding on dry- and wet grinders, waterstones) (3) tuning and using handplanes. (4) A speciality area (such as dovetailing). (5) any other suggestions?

Let's hear from you!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Pops]

Hi Derek,

Pops here, and I reckon this is a jolly good idea. My calendar is currently free the weekend of Saturday 12 September, (if that is what suits you and others). Will pencil in a BBQ, er, I mean handtool workshop.

No real preference for topic, but I wouldn't mind getting some detailed covereage of final tuning of shop-made woody planes, like those you have recently made.

As for demonstrating handtool skills, I might just leave that to you and others, I can provide the tall stories though, about how good I am at using handtools. :)

Will be good to catch up.

Cheers
Pops

[Pat]

I suppose I'll have to keep looking at your website, unless you are going to cross the country one day :U

[wheelinround]

Pat no need a live Podcast will be organised after all it is the 21st century :D

[BobL]

I'll have to check with SWMBO but otherwise I'm in.

Cheers
Bob

[derekcohen]

Great start. I knew I could count on you two.

I also would like to keep the numbers down so that all get enough hands-on time (if we go that route). Perhaps about 8 of us in total?

So get in quick!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Wongdai]

Oh yeah, count me in for sure. :2tsup:

[beer is good]

Hi Derek,
I would like some pointers on sharpening chisels and planes. I have been going to get in touch with you about that, and your invitation fired me into action. So if there is room I would really like to come on Sept 12.
Peter

[Larry M]

Count me in please Derek

Regards

Larry

[Interwood]

Hi Derek,

I would like to attend also.

Having invested in Thumbsucker's Stanley Blades I'm interested in the best way to set them up. Also, the penny has just dropped in regard to the worth and place of low angle block planes and shoulder planes. But I have yet to purchase either of these.

Would a salad or two help?

Regards,

Chris

PS Can also bring video recorder if you think that such is a good idea ?

[zvon]

Hi Derek,

I would like to come if possible.

Regards,
Zvon

[derekcohen]

Hi guys

Looking good so far. I'm sure that more will ask to attend as time gets closer.

As I mentioned, I'd like to keep the numbers down to about 8 or 9-ish so that we can do some practical stuff.

There is no reason why we can't have an eclectic mix of (say) plane tuning and techniques of use, and sharpening (as both these areas have been requested), as well as joint making.

Chris, thanks for the salad. A camera is an interesting idea. We could give it a go ... always destroy the result if you don't get my good side! :U

Regards from Perth

Derek

[kekemo]

Derek...
Yes would like to attend... now this will shock you ...
can I bring up Ed's hand planer... and ask you to show me how to use it... yes... need to widen my horizon... some hand tool use... will be good to learn...
Cheers Kerry

[derekcohen]

Hi Kerry

It would not be a true gathering without you there! :U

Bring Ed's plane with pleasure.

In fact, for all, bring any handtools that you want to tune up or even just want to Show-and-Tell. There will be someone with some expertise to offer, I am sure, and all of us just want to be there to learn and share the passion of woodworking.

There is room for a couple more. So please contact me if you are interested.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Pops]

Hi Kerry,

Glad you can make it.

And welcome to the Dark Side, I knew it was only a matter of time. :)

See you there.

Cheers
Pops

[derekcohen]

OK, Saturday 12th (September) is definitely on!

Address: 28 Ionic Street, Rossmoyne. (Head for the Leach Hwy, go down Fifth Avenue (towards the River), and the fifth road to the left is Ionic. Couldn't be easier).

Time: Arrive about 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Bring: Something for the BBQ when we break for lunch, and what ever you liketo drink - beer, the red stuff, something soft ..

Also bring: Something for Show-and-Tell ... tools, something you have built ..

Topic: Most requests have been for sharpening and setting up planes. So that one is top of the list. I have a lot of equipment here. But bring along any sharpening equipment that you want use or learn on, and any planes, chisels, blades that you want to work on. We will do flat and hollow grinding, guides and freehand (yes, master freehand honing on Saturday!). I have waterstones, some diamond stones and some sandpaper.

There are a couple of other possible demos we can do. I am flexible on these and can set any up at the last minute: Bob asked if I could repeat the demo I did on sliding dovetails. Other alternatives include using a shooting board, tricks to accurate handsawing, dovetailing, and mortice-and-tenons with handtools.

The main thing is to have a bit of fun, getting together to swap lies and play with the toys.

There is still room for a couple more, so please contact me if interested.

Looking forward to Saturday.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[BobL]

Thanks Derek, I'll bring along some of my home made milling gear plus a few bits and pieces.

I can do a chainsaw chain sharpening demo if anyone is interested?

[Wongdai]

Awesome. Looking forward to it immensely.

[kevjed]

Have fun guys. I wish I could join you but.... wrong side of the country.
Enjoy
Kevin

[BobL]

Have fun guys. I wish I could join you but.... wrong side of the country.
Enjoy
Kevin

I'l have an extra red for you if you can have one for me. :D

[kevjed]

I'l have an extra red for you if you can have one for me. :D
Consider it done. I'll start tonight:wink:

[Wongdai]

But if we all have an extra red for him, where will he be then? :o

[Larry M]

Derek

If it's OK with you I'll bring some nice bread rolls for everyone for lunch and something for morning tea.

regards

Larry

[derekcohen]

Thanks Larry. That'll be very welcome.

See you on Saturday

Derek

[Interwood]

Thanks Derek, I'll bring along some of my home made milling gear plus a few bits and pieces.

I can do a chainsaw chain sharpening demo if anyone is interested?

Bob I'd be very interested. Have just purchased an Oregon clone sharpening unit, but not used it yet. And any tips on hand sharpening / setup would be appreciated.

Derek ... everything that you have mentioned sounds great ... can I get reasonable results with a Stanley plane on a shooting board?

Best regards, Chris

[derekcohen]

Hi Chris

You can use just about any Stanley benchplane on a shooting board. Bring it along and find out!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[BobL]

But if we all have an extra red for him, where will he be then? :o

Either sitting sadly in front of an empty bottle or horizontal in front of a half empty cask!

[Old gunnie]

HI Derek,

Is this day full yet? I'd like to come along as well, but know you had a limit. Gotta get some guidance on how to get these TS blades up and running.

No problem if it is. I'll wait for the next one. :) .

Cheers
OG.

[derekcohen]

Ho OG

You're very welcome.

Read the earlier posts for instructions and directions. Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday.

Derek

[Wongdai]

Fellow Perth WW'ers,

Sadly, it looks as though I will have to bale on tomorrow's big event.

I have been off work all week, and now I have a chest infection which is laying me low.

I thought of rugging up and still coming out, however, I don't think I will be doing myself any favours.

Have a few for me.

:(

[Larry M]

Sorry to hear that Wongdai. Look forward to meeting you another time

Regards

Larry

[Pops]

Hi Wongdai,

Very bad luck. Sorry to hear that mate. Hope you get well soon.

Of course I will have a couple for you as well. Hope to catch up with you on the next gathering.

If any body else does not turn up I might be seeing double after lunch. :)

Cheers
Pops

[Pat]

Well????????????

[kekemo]

Awesome.......
DEREK, YOUR A LEDGEND!!!!!!!



....from a new recruit....to the darkside...!!


Absolutely wonderful day.... so so so informative... to glean such knowledge, technique & understanding... admits friends who are all so passionate & dedicated .... completely inspiring...

Firstly thanks to Derek & Lynndy… for your hospitality …

Derek, I really don’t know appropriate words that would adequately express my respect & appreciation ….
A totally fantastic day…. the camaraderie & friendship are fitting benefactors that partially reflect your enthusiasm & expertise … you surely have accomplished true “woods-men-ship” & guru stature….
What pleasure & privilege being a part of yesterday’s workshop….
My humble thanks… to everyone who participated in the day… you tolerated my barrage of questions & withstood my taunting….

Journeying home my thoughts of the day… gave me cause to be extremely emotional … realizing just how much I miss my partner in crime… yet so truly thankful for the welcomed friendships that woodworking brings into my life….
I had an AWESOME DAY…. THANKS… everyone… SPECIALLY DEREK….

KEKEMO…. (new recruit ….. would like to apply for my “P” plates to understanding dark-side … is a licence required???? )

There’s an obvious precise passion & primal preference to gaining that level of professionalism in playing with WOOD … it’s so incredibly time consuming & addictive….. however I’m starting to climb the ladder of obsession ….LOL

[dai sensei]

:worthless:

[derekcohen]

Well I had a good time. No pictures (from my side) but I know that Chris has a video.

What more can a bloke want than good mates, good conversation, good food and drink, and all the toys ... :U Actually it says something when Lynndy had to remind us a few times to break for the BBQ at lunch ... and then we totally forgot about afternoon tea! Who brought (and left!) the amazing chocalate cake!! :o

The main topic (once we actually got down to "work") was preparing and sharpening blades, but there was also some play with the planes. I hope something useful was taken away by all.

It was good to see a few new faces: Peter and Zvon, welcome. Kerry, of course, is unstoppable, such enthusiasm! :U

Thanks again.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Old gunnie]

Hi Guys,

Derek,

Thanks for a great day. I had a wonderful time, particularly playing with your planes. Gunna have me a couple of those one of these days. :)

It was great to meet all you guys and I hope to see you round the traps again.

cheers and cold beers

OG

[BobL]

Yep - good to catch up with everyone and thanks Derek for putting on a good show!

What amazes me about all of Derek's gear (the planes especially and there are dozen's of them) is that they are all tuned (or very near tuned) and ready to go. I don't where he gets the time to keep them all in such good nick and so well tuned. What it says about him is that he doesn't muck about and gets things done quickly but carefully.

Hey Chris see if you can extract some pix from the video to put up on this thread

Cheers

PS: That was me brought the cake! As you say it didn't matter that we didn't get to eat it we were all enjoying ourselves too much.

[Pops]

Hey Bob,

Gee mate, you didn't tell me there was cake in that box.

I thought it was some more chainsaw bits. While you blokes were busy demonstrating and watching intently and videoing I could have been around the back with that cake. Damn. :) There are different levels of enjoyment you know, one should not restrict oneself to woodwork tools. Won't miss that one next time Bob.

Yes, what they said. Thanks Derek for your time and hospitality, and for keeping the boys and girls busy with sharpening techniques while I played, er' I mean, evaluated several of your planes.

It is very informative, (useful) to be able to use a variety of BU and Bevel Down planes with High and Standard plane angles as well, all on the same pieces of timber and all at the one time. So easy to feel the differences in result, something one cannot do if you have a limited plane range.

So thanks again for once more opening up your workshop full of tools and sharing them with the less skilful, (speaking for myself here people).

And good to catch up with some of the old WA gang and meet new WA Woodies.

Now where are those photos Chris mate? :)

Cheers
Pops

[Larry M]

G'day all

Like everyone said, a wonderful day was had by all. Great to catch up with some 'old' old faces and meet some 'new' old faces. And not forgetting Kerry, the 'old' new face.:U

Terrific to have a chat and get the benefit of everyone's comments and experience, particularly the Guru Derek of course. I think that I had the win on the day when Derek used a plane blade that I brought along to demo sharpening - how good is that. Chris's present as a result of Derek's wonderful generosity had to be seen to be believed. A truly outstanding gesture Derek.

Thanks to Lynndy for the wonderful hospitality. We must have been having a great time to have missed the opportunity for chocolate cake Bob - if ever there was a mob that looked like chocolate cake lovers:U

Let's hope we can get together sooner rather than later. These get-togethers are such a delight.

Regards and thanks to all

Larry

[Interwood]

Derek,

After such a wonderfully informative day, fine food and fellowship ... and the Scraper Blade Burnisher ... what can I say, but to thank you again. Thanks also to Lynndy for such an enjoyable day.

Thanks to Bob also for the chainsaw sharpening instruction and bringing the "Big" Mill along for me to view first hand. What a machine!!

But we will have to do it again soon because some of the video is kaput. :-( Sorry about that.

Present were DerekCohen, Kekemo, Pops, BobL, Zvon, Larry M, Old gunnie, Beer is Good and Interwood.

However, I have pulled some frames as suggested by Bob. I apologise for the quality. And will try to pull out some better one of everyone during the week.

These first few frames show Derek flattening the back of a blade using wet and dry sand paper. I'll post more as I am able.

Best regards to All, Chris

[Wongdai]

Looks like you guys had a lot of fun. :2tsup:

[Interwood]

Derek began by flattening the Stanley 2 3/8" blade on 120, 240 480 and 800 wet & dry sand paper. (frames above) Then on to the Shapton stones (http://www.fine-tools.com/shapton-stones.html) to finish polishing the back of the plane blade. Following frames show this step.

[Interwood]

This series of frame concludes the flattening of the back of the blade. And yes Wongdai, we had a lot of fun! Derek explained a lot about sharpening. Like the rest of us, he would rather be making something than sharpening plane blades ... so he explained the method he uses and compared it to other methods. It was great to be able to watch the whole process from start to shavings.

Hope that you are feeling better and are on the mend.

All the best, Chris

[derekcohen]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the pictures. Did you manage to save any of the freehand method?

I admit that my heart was in my mouth when someone suggested testing a blade for sharpness by the way it sliced paper. I knew it was very sharp from the way it cut endgrain pine. However I had never attempted to slice paper before. I must say that I was relieved when it did this trick easily. By the way, I very rarely test blades for sharpness after honing - after a while you just know that they are sharp.

I am up for another workshop but, I fear, by the time we have it the chocolate cake will be finished! :U Bob, it is/was fantastic! Stop by for a slice!

I think the next workshop should be on jointmaking with these sharp tools!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Interwood]

With a highly polished back of the plane blade, the next step was to hollow grind the bevel on the tormek. While the Tormek machine is not cheap, it was pointed out that it produces repeatable accurate grinds, quickly and quietly. Have a great week, Chris

[derekcohen]

Just a comment about the above.

Step 1: flatten the back of the blade and then polish to the level you intend to use for the final bevel. (a sharp edge comprises two, equal intersecting sections ...).

Step 2: grind a hollow at the angle you wish for your final bevel. Here I used the Tormek, but another blade was also prepared on the dry grinder.

A hollow grind facilitates easy freehand honing - the bevel face will balance more easily on two "rails" than on a flat (bevel) surface (the flat surface is rarely flat and this will encourage the blade to rock and round over the face). A hollow ground at the cutting angle creates a coplanar face, enabling a microbevel that may be stropped more easily than one that is secondary to the bevel face (that is, at a different angle). Refer to: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/WoodworkTechniques/BeyondSharpASharpeningStrategy.html

I am hoping that we have the pictures of the freehand honing process since this was an important point of the exercise. I will consult with Chris and see what we can do to create a tutorial.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[beer is good]

My sincere thanks to Derek and Lynndy for letting us loose in your shed and house and for your tips on sharpening planes and chisels. I haven't been able to put my new found knowledge into practice yet due to other things getting in the way - things like work, chores etc.
It was really great to put some faces to the names and tap into the knowledge to be found in this forum. I am looking forward to the next one.

Peter

[kekemo]

Thought this was a top picture.... !!!!
WHO said we enjoy ourself?... doesn't look like it... with all those smiles....!!
Awesome photo.....