Turn a silk ear into a sow's purse! Quality humor and free information, what a deal!

I never imagined a video on reworking a cheap tool could be so informative and entertaining.

@WorkshopCompanion

3 жыл бұрын

And never thought it could be so frustrating! I swear, the guys who manufactured this tools must have held day-long planning sessions to think up ways to screw up this plane. I didn't show half the things I found wrong with it because the video was running so long. But I thank you for your kind assessment.

@DanT10

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. Also it states why you should be patient and hunt down some real classic Stanley or similar.

@stanleypennock2118

2 жыл бұрын

This is a great tutorial for tuning an old Stanley or Union plane with far less work!

This answered every question I had about buying one and every question I dont have enough experience to know to ask . This is the most informative video that can be made on the subject matter. period .I doubt I can find one that's more informative. Thank you so much for putting this video out in the manner that you did.

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

“A plane like this is a sin against craftsmanship” TOO FUNNY! Love it! Great video!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

So, it took $10,000 worth of other tools and labor in order to make the plane "plane-worthy"! Nice to know! Appreciate your hard work and intelligence very much! Your sense of humor is just as sharp! Keep up the good work!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your insight -[- and kind words.

@jukkahuuskonen

9 ай бұрын

Yes, but after fixing 10000 planes it is just 1 dollar per plane 😂

@NewTestamentDoc

9 ай бұрын

@@jukkahuuskonen good one!

@rashkavar

8 ай бұрын

@@jukkahuuskonen But at that point you have to factor in the cost of labour. Given just how many hours and hours of grinding he mentioned doing, the cost of labour alone would be more than the cost of just buying a brand new Stanley.

@woodworkingandepoxy643

8 ай бұрын

Every mass produced plane takes the same initial prep. Not as much as this cheapo though

A silk's ear into a sow's purse! Perfect. Very entertaining and educational. Thank you so much, sir!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Finally somebody got that. You're most welcome.

@DBKING04020

2 жыл бұрын

You beat me to it :)

@chickentender330

2 жыл бұрын

I came to the comments just to see if anyone else heard what I heard lol.

You’ve quickly become one of my all time favorite informative and entertaining channels on KZread!! I appreciate everything you do sir💪🏼🔥

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for saying.

Lots of work! This makes me appreciate my Dad's Stanley 4 1/2 and a Stanley 4 I picked up cheap ($20) at an estate sale. I'm primarily at power tool worker in my old age but these quality tools are something I can hand down to my son-in-law and perhaps my grandson. Quality never goes out of style, long after the price is forgotten.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

True that.

I watch a lot of wood working videos on KZread. This video was by far one of the most educational and informative. You are a rock star and know your craft. Thank you.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

You displayed an impressive amount of determination to fix that plane. Your also confirmed my decision to avoid Harbor Freight.

40 years as a Mechanical Engineer and I learned new things about determining properties of steel. Probably the most educational demonstrations of the art I’ve seen.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for saying.

I'm a novice and it took me 3 months to tune up 2 planes of similar quality thanks to craftsmen on KZread!

Really informative video. Shows that even though things look about the same, the small differences make big differences.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

You get it.

Your videos are always a pleasure. Your blend of informational instruction and creative humor are a joy.

@WorkshopCompanion

5 ай бұрын

Thanks.

As always, a fascinating and instructive video. Despite my background in machine work, I have no inclination to have to rebuild a tool before I can use it effectively. I’ll stick with my old Stanley planes.

@donkink3114

4 ай бұрын

I'm going to get Stanley planes or not at all

Thoroughly enjoyed the episode as one of the best magic tricks ever.

i got giddy when you transitioned to the smoothing of the cutting iron, saw the shop smith and lit up with glee. i love seeing them actually used.

This guy is brilliant. The Einstein of wood working.

I love the magnet idea for sharpening/grinding it. Very smart. This was such an informative video - I'm gonna watch it over and over. I know it. I know how I am.

My personal tools include several Stanley planes (including a fine #4) that belonged to my grandfather who was a master carpenter. Nothing beats real quality!

@seiryoden

2 жыл бұрын

I have a couple of inherited Stanleys. I rarely have to use them but when I do I'm glad they're there.

@balloney2175

2 жыл бұрын

USA made is genuine!

Just learning how to use hand planes. I have now taken 2 planes and 'fixed' them. I consider that to be essential to learning how to use the tools. Nice tutorial. I would be hesitant to put the sole of a plane on a belt sander. Mine has a 'platen' of some sort on it which has mostly worn away. Maybe. Also, I would suggest that no matter what plane you buy, give it a stem to stern check up to make sure things are in working order. I have a Bridge City plane that needed a lot of work, and it was a replacement for the first one I got from them....

I have somehow never come across this gentleman’s videos before, and he’s really fantastically funny.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for saying.

From the Philippines and now I know there is someone out there who has a worse kidney than mine, kidding aside, your humor is sharper! Now I appreciate a bench plane as I start my humble woodworking hobby. Cheers!

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

Thanks from Ohio.

I've read many of the previous comments and there's not a negative one there and for good reason. You're terrific. I wish you lived next door. Please make many more videos and God bless you.

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

That's the plan. Thanks for the kind words.

After watching this, the old saying, " you get what you pay for" come's into mind.... Thank you for the video........

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

My vintage plane collection is my pride and joy. I have many, many hours of restoring rusted treasures into beautiful tools. I have unfortunately run into some real oinker planes in my search for golden nuggets and truly understand what it feels like to attempt what you did with the Harbor Freight plane. What you accomplished with that plane was nothing short of amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you problem solve time and again. Excellent work my friend, Cheers!!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers back, and thanks for saying.

@actionjksn

2 жыл бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion What are you planning to do with this thing now?

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

@@actionjksn I was thinking of putting it in a yard sale for $2400 and trying to get my money back.

@actionjksn

2 жыл бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion Right. Maybe you can find an aspiring wood worker who is poor and give it to him or her? Looks like a great tool for someone starting out. On a different note your video inspired me to dig out this old Stanley number 5 that I've had for probably more than 15 years. I've taken it apart and started cleaning everything up and I'm going to try to get it sharpened. I don't know anything about these things so I'm not sure what a Stanley number five is for but I think it will be handy for my remodeling work, carpentry and various woodworking projects that I do. I'm more of a power tool guy but I love good old tools. This plane that I have looks really old.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

@@actionjksn I'd never give this to a beginner -- at least, not one that I halfway liked. After all that work, I'd still rate it as "barely usable." I'm thinking of converting it to a scraper plane. Your Stanley No. 5 is a jack plane, and as such it can be used for almost anything once it's properly tuned.

The plane iron is Chevrolet or Ford. What a fun video. This is also practical as some hobbyists don't have the resources to invest in quality tools.

"and that's how you turn a silk's ear into a sow's purse" ...say what? Great video, I'll have to disassemble my Great Neck and see how well it was made.

Many many months later from my earlier post I discovered how to flatten the sole and sharpen the blade. I would say it works great but I’ve never even held a great plane. What I can say is the average Joe can make it acceptable with a few tools and methods.

there is no substitute for quality. Wow, thanks, I was eliminating electrical and gas products, but now will include more tools. Thanks soo much.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome, but I should remind you that this is a review of one specific tool, not an entire group..

I was lucky enough to have wood shop in HS, which gave us a good education on using, and sharpening a plane iron, using a dedicated larger grinding wheel and some oil stones with a fixed angle jig. We were able to put a useable edge on it, and , I tended to do a fairly good job judging from my chips. It was nice to see your "old school metallurgy" skills of reading a grinder spark, there's probably very few woodworkers who would even have that knowledge.

I just bought one of these today. Yep, it shows a lot of what you described in your video. I'm one of those novices you so kindly spoke of, and yes this crappy piece of a wrong named, poorly made planer is going back to Harbor Frieght. I'll look for Stanley tools.

First time watching one of your videos. I'm hooked (and subscribed)! Professional production, entertaining presentation, but most of all highly informative about the 'whys' behind the 'whats'. As someone who never had a woodworking mentor, I really appreciate that you explain the reasons behind the qualities you're seeking. Thanks for all your work in producing these.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome...and welcome!

As a new person very much interested in woodworking, I honestly am unable to express just how invaluable your video is to me. I am what you could describe as someone with ZERO experience with a hand plane or many woodworking tools. I’m learning and I’m highly ambitious. Also an added benefit would be my severely stubborn nature and willingness to put up with a lot of BS before giving up. Your video after quite a few watches really helped explain why this is a “bad” plane and just how a “good” plane is manufactured and operates. That is very important to me in understanding what I’m learning and this video helped a lot. I hope to watch more from you and look forward to learning from your experience. Sincerely, thank you.

@WorkshopCompanion

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for you kind words -- they keep uis going!

I bought one of these planes back in 2008 when I first got into woodworking. I took it apart and I never could get it all back together. What I could get back together I tried to make work, but I was very discouraged with it and never got into hand planes. Until very recently watching Paul Sellers I got a Stanley block plane from the hardware store and tuned it up and it’s a lot of fun to use! Now I want to find a good no. 4!

@WorkshopCompanion

3 жыл бұрын

You can't go wrong with an older American-made Stanley, Garret. But make sure of what your getting. I once bought a No. 4 on Ebay and was surprised to find it had no way easy way to adjust the position of the frog. I later learned it was a copy made in Canada. I've also had problems with Stanleys made after 1962 (Type 20 and later). If you need to date the Stanley you're looking at, I suggest this web site: www.hyperkitten.com/tools/stanley_bench_plane/ .

@masterminecraft9653

2 жыл бұрын

This exact damn thing happened to me

I’ve had this plane for 5 years. Finally bought a new brand name plane at a big box store and it was great out of the box. Not a hf tool user.

"Like a Boss " Well done Sir...!!!

I have an old Miller's Falls #18 plane with a broken Y-adjusting lever. I may buy one of these Harbor Freight jobs just to harvest that lever for my Millers Falls.

Should have brought up the price points, I think that spending an extra few dollars on quality is far superior then spending so much effort in fixing multiple problems from cheap manufacturing! Thumbs up from a new subscriber!

Another great vid, Nick! Great to see Jim-Bob and your summery about cannibalizing customers is spot on. Well done. Scott

@WorkshopCompanion

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Scott.

your refitting of a badly designed tool is the best educational content. It was everything I never knew I didn't know about planes!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

That took some parsing, but thanks for saying.

This guy reminds me of my grandpa. Used to love wood working with him.

Boy loved that video now this is a serious wood craftsman who knows his tool and can make things work if one knows how they work that is, as a beginner I did throw mine in the river cause I didn't know how to fix it and got me a ryobi electric planer ten on never attempted to buy anything from harbor freight except for hammers and axes and zip ties .😂

This served both as an invaluable education on wood planes in general (their parts, proper names, purpose, etc), but an entertaining video, as well. I am a hobbyist…and collect and restore woodworking tools (many of which I enjoy using to restore both vintage furniture and vintage tools). I believe your observations on the negative aspects of the Central Forge plane are more than valid. That said, I think it would have been a more fair comparison to compare it to a new Stanley “out of the box”….versus one that was produced more than a few years ago and that you likely have tuned numerous times. The likelihood is that the Central Forge would still “fail and tail” that of a a new Stanley plane, but the “Stanley Now” tools are nowhere near the products of “Stanley Back When”. Once again……a great video….that made this morning’s coffee that much better! (Made even more enjoyable when my wife observed “why are you watching that!??…and walked off.). And BTW….Bravo-Zulu on the good example of safety in the workshop….particularly while using that Dremel tool, thank you, sir.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

You're more than welcome. I do what I can to avoid sending up an Alpha November.

@captaincoyote1792

2 жыл бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion you da’ man, amigo!! It took me a bit to remember…..the Alpha November very appropriate! Sail on, brother!

Was amazing seeing somebody else have the same magnetic dial indicator holder that I have that I purchased over 50 years ago.

I went to school with a Jack Plane. Nice guy.

I bought that exact package several yrs ago from HF, having little knowledge of what I was purchasing, other than knowing what their purpose was and what I wanted. Needless to say , I was sorely disappointed and both planes have sat unused ever since. By the time I get around to trying to flatten and sharpen, I may have the $$$ to buy a quality planer. This was a very informative video. Much appreciated!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your interest and kind words.

@DrChaad

2 жыл бұрын

@Chuck W , I hate seeing good steel go to waste. The irons in these things appear hard enough to hold a sharp, maintainable edge. Now that you know what needs to be done, you may find that tuning up your Central Forge planes to a usable condition may be a gratifying experience. Once all the other surfaces are polished enough to make adjustments easy, these planes have the potential to be a pleasure to use. ·

@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113

2 жыл бұрын

Farting Frog should stop selling CRAP, potentially and otherwise.

@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113

2 жыл бұрын

Does not Hardened Log allow folks to return the junk they sell?

You took a 10.dollar tool and turned it into a 500 dollar tool with all that labor. Very well done presentation I would have tossed it out after about 5 minutes of utter frustration. Thanks very good job. Enjoyed it 👍

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

"Utter frustration" is the very definition of what it's like to tune this tool. Glad you liked the vid.

I really appreciate the experienced rundown of these two types of planes. It was, as other commenters have indicated, informative and entertaining!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for saying.

Your summary is exactly where I am at. I'm brand new to woodworking, and thought I'd start with something inexpensive to get some practice. I spent hours sharpening, resharpening, struggling and finally can get the plane to kind of sort of make a shaving with lots of tear out. I've sworn off buying anything from Harbor Freight ever again, and am going to purchase a Stanley with my next paycheck.

@WorkshopCompanion

4 ай бұрын

Tip: I recently tested a #4 smoothing plane and a low-angle block plane made by Jorgenson. Combined, they cost me less than $100 and they both worked well right out of the boxes before I sharpened them.

@ssilmath

4 ай бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion I will give that a try, thanks for the advice!

So glad I found this video. As a novice, myself I knew buying the $17.99 plane and mini at Harbor Freight would need much work, but I had no idea this much. Not surprising though, while I haven't the tools to make every adjustment you did, I believe I can accomplish most of this, at least to a mediocre level. I do hope one day to get me a Stanley, as well as, other credible brands in the woodworking "by hand" industry. Thanks for sharing...

Love watching a MASTER Craftsman ply his skill. Very Informative and Entertaining as well! Old Saying: Cheap is Dear.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Another old saying: True that.

Great video 👌 you know your planers Sincerely a shipwright from Denmark

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Your professional opinion means a lot.

I love the sound of a plane working right!

whenever i see a cheap tool of unknown or potentially disreputable provenance i always remember my dad telling me 'buy once, cry once' and move along. great video.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

The time and workmanship you put into this is an example of what myself and my generation should be doing. Such a lost "art" so to speak. Tons of respect for you sir. +1 subscriber

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. And welcome.

You did a spectacular job describing the difference between the Stanly planes and the parts. Harbor Freight make good, but by no means great tools. A mechanics needs are far different than a woodworkers. Your dissection of the Central Forge tool and the Stanley proves the point. Thank you.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

This is *the* explanation of plane types that I needed.

The most informative video I have seen for sometime. Very well done in each phase of design and function on the plane you were evaluating. Well done sir.

@WorkshopCompanion

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for saying.

Beginner here, I’ve been looking at a lot of #4 planes and even though I knew this wasn’t great I had thought that taking time to tune it would be fun. I’m glad I watched this because if you, who has years of experience took that much time toning this, i(having no belt grinders and having to do all by hand) would never get it tuned enough to just plane properly let alone well. Thanks for saving me money(now to re evaluate what is on my list of #4 plane options…)

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to have been of service.

Outstanding presentation; very informative, insightful and well done.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. You turned a non-working-tool-shaped-object into a useful plane. I was always frustrated with my HF plane. I often used a hand held belt sander instead of plane. Then I finally bought a Lie Nielson jack plane. I don't use the HF plane or belt sander anymore.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. And thanks for your kind words.

Thanks for review. They have a smaller 8.5" "No. 33 Bench Plane" to play with next (about $13) - seems a notch up from one you tested. My first 5 minutes of playing with it made shavings. Blade 1.75" wide and uses the 2 nut adjuster & a thumb screw cap, no chip breaker (wood plane kit from Veritas doesn't either). Has a nice varnished wood tote (so no seam to scrape). My hand is big but the tote is almost comfortable without breaking the ear with a hammer - may be inspired to grind finger relief at the bottom... or I could be a woodworker and cut/sanding two custom totes for both an old Stanley & the Windsor/Freight planes. One glitch in instructions (?) bevel pictured up. Not being a block plane. I put it in bevel down... Instructions correctly imply sharpen iron before use... not overly sharp from box but it makes heavy shavings. Castings not too bad, may have a low spot on sole to sand but otherwise looks straight. Bought it thinking of using it for parts to make a trapping plane. May try a baby sized one from a finger plane. Will play tune up on this thing. Still love my first block plane & my 1st card scraper project was fun while I had good burs on the edges - getting there. - R

As a pastor and renewing my WW skills, I love your “sacrament of plane” !

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

It's true! All the clergy in this church have an extensive collection of ceremonial hand planes. If you acquire an original Stanley No. 1 and actually use it, you get to be Pope. ;-)

Great tips for fine tuning even a more expensive plane!

Great video to help us understand how “budget” tools are inferior and why it’s way better to buy quality tools.

Bravo! You are filled with good and wholesome information. I truly enjoy learning and watching your videos.. .tyvm

@WorkshopCompanion

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for saying.

Nice exercise in planology, the price difference really shows in the workmanship and finish. Using and tuning cheap tools can be helpful to learn some ins and outs, without having to fear messing up a precious item - as long as they are somewhat fit for purpose of course.

Excellent tutorial sir, it’s very clear your a fine craftsman and know your stuff.👍👍👍

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words.

I actually took that same plane (presented to me by a well meaning family member) and gave it a full "tuning" by hand. As a finish plane I never found it to challenge any of my Stanley #4s but with a little more work it does make a good mini Fore plane where tolerances can be a bit more forgiving. Great video. Be well.

@JeanClaudePeeters

2 жыл бұрын

a "mini fore plane"... And your # 6 as a giant smoother?

@jayempress4203

Жыл бұрын

I think I put over 100 hours learning to remanufacture this plane by hand. 95% of what I did to make it work came from this man. The remainder came from Rex Kruger. Bless both men! I got it to work finally, tonight to flatten a bowed bamboo cutting board. I agree with you. A smoother it is not. I highly reccomend this plane to new plane users. It's way out of our league but by the time you learn how to make this thing work, you will be ready to appreciate and set up a GOOD quality plane. You will never want to waste your time and $$ on junk planes. You have EARNED the right to own a wood river or lie neilson or whatever quality plane your heart desires!

I bought very similar plane some time ago. It was bad. I tried to tune it, even bought better iron for it. But the plane wasn't working as expecting. I lost my patience, bought used Stanley. Wow! Finally I have real smoothing plane. The cheap one works as scrub plane now and there it is good enough. The aftermath - cheap things cost the same as not cheap, but for cheap you pay also with your time and work before actually can use them.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

True 'nuff.

"I was at harbor freight the other day, pretending everything there was beneath me" Such a funny and trenchant line! 😆

@WorkshopCompanion

4 ай бұрын

There's a word for the day. And both meanings work for this circumstance!

"Their kidney looks...uh, somewhat diseased" 🤣 bruh! I'm crying! This guy and his way with words!

I have found that analysis about the planes quality in my experience with many harbor freight products.

Bravo, great video. Loved the "cannibalizing the customer base" explanation

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

I didn't buy this plane but this video was fantastic. I have just refubished a very rusty Record number 5 plane, unfortunately it needed a new iron and chipbreaker but the frog was in great condition and thankfully very little pitting on the sole which was remarkably flat still after all those years. Best advice to any novice woodworker is to get your hands on older tools, they were built with far more care and attention and will typically cost a lot less than something of equivalent quality built today. I have a veritas number 5 that has nothing on this < £50 plane I picked up from a flee market.

@grumpyoldsodinacellar4065

2 жыл бұрын

I kept hearing the praises heaped upon old Stanley's, I finally got my hands on 3 #4's when a friend donated them to me, they'd been left outside, forgotten, for about 3 or 4 years. I got them back into working condition again but none of them hold a candle to my Faithfull plane's which in my humble opinion, are very underated.

@daveawb

2 жыл бұрын

@@grumpyoldsodinacellar4065 Which faithful plane do you have? I've always heard good things about them but never even held one. Also which Stanleys did you get? If they were pre 62 they should be superb once refurbished and tuned.

@grumpyoldsodinacellar4065

2 жыл бұрын

@@daveawb in the Faithful line, I have the 3,4 &5 as for the Stanley's I was able to date them to 1950's to1960's Give the Faithful 5 a try, mine worked straight out of the box, although it did need an edge putting on the iron relatively quickly, but once sharpened and honed, they do hold their edge and I work mainly with oak and mahogany.

@daveawb

2 жыл бұрын

@@grumpyoldsodinacellar4065 I’ll certainly give one a try 👍

"And that ladies and gentlemen is how you turn a silks ear into a sow's purse." 31:34 Classic. You did an amazing job at turning some scrap metal into a functioning tool.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

A Stanley planer costs about $150, while a knockoff costs about $40. On day 1, you mentioned spending 5 hours on sanding alone. Let's assume, for a moment, that this is all it takes to get it working. Assuming you charge at least $50 an hour for a project, the real cost of the cheap planer suddenly becomes $250 (5 x 50) + $40 = $290. I'm originally from the Netherlands, and in Dutch, we have a saying: "Goed gereedschap is het halve werk," which roughly translates to "Good tools are half the job." That's why I only buy quality tools. It may take longer to acquire everything I need for my workshop, but the tools last a lifetime. I also purchase many used tools, especially larger ones like sawing and router tables, drill presses, and band sanders. Love your videos!

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

I have estimated the cost of all the work I did on this hand plane for other viewers, and the actually cost was $1500 to $2500, depending how you value my time and Jim's. But your point is well-taken.

That beginning line is perfect and exactly why I like your stuff Nick. So many woodworking folks on the internet like to act like Harbor Freight is terrible, but for the average hobbyist it is great. Where else can you find an entry level dust collector, lathe, band saw, or half of the other things from there. Of course the tools and machines are low quality and there are many lemons there (like this hand plane). But, for most of their stuff it can also get you started. The closest Woodcraft is 2 hours away (Rockler is 3) and pretty much every single one of their machines are out of my budget. My first drill & driver was a black & decker set from Walmart, you can't get much more low budget than that. And it worked great for me. It drilled holes and I could drive in screws. Now, is my Dewalt drill & driver I have now better. Absolutely. They are more powerful and just nicer to use. But, there really isn't anything new that I could do with the Dewalt that I couldn't do with that cheap black and decker set. I actually still use the $50 bench drill press I got years ago from Walmart. Is it a piece of crap? Absolutely, but it drills much more accurate vertical holes than I can with my hand drill and I don't have the money right now to upgrade to a nicer one. Regarding hand planes, it's just the sad fact that outside of Woodriver or Lie Nielsen, there aren't really any good modern options, especially for those with limited budgets. However, the new jorgenson #4 hand plane at Lowes seems to be decent. However, the best option for the budget minded new woodworker is to just get an old Stanley either at a antique store or ebay. It's going to be much cheaper and it may not even need tuning. And even if it does it's probably going to only need a mild tuning to get it working well (which even a new woodworker could probably accomplish halfway decently).

Nick, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching this and all your other video’s…I’ve learned so much. It’s obviously showing your knowledge of Planeology is wide spread, that I would like to request that you make a video or two or three on how to properly setup and use a Plane, even if it’s the basics. I’m sure other followers and I would greatly benefit from them. Would you please consider this request? I love the one liners you strategically place throughout! Mike

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words. We're looking for a rusty No. 4 with a broken tote for just that purpose -- but there's a lot on the schedule in front of it.

Love the video! Although not something I would do it helps to reinforce the notion that quality work starts with the person and not necessarily the tool.

I use one of those for planing off rough, painted, and filthy used lumber. I didn't encounter the problems you had, but I did have issues with squareness, which I resolver the same way you did... belt grinder and flat stone. I sharpen this one on a belt grinder with 240 grit... no mirror needed here. Once the wood is clean, then the old Stanleys or my older wooden planes.

I was just the novice first time plane buyer described in the video. I tried this thing and had no luck. Gave it to my boss at my office, who knew more than me to adjust. He got it to work badly. I threw it in my pile of bad decisions. Over and out

Great video. You are a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

You have infinitely more patience than I would... I would have trashed that PSO (plane shaped object) upon initial disassembly. Kudos

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

Excellent video, thank you.

I love your content, always super informative

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that.

What a great video! Really interesting to watch. Thank you.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

Loved this vid, you need a tv show!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

" how you turn a silk's ear into a sow's purse." 😂 Love your videos!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for getting it.

I bought the same plane from Harbor Freight two weeks ago and my assessment was the same as yours. I used the same techniques to fettle it as you did. I needed a scrub plane and that was why I purchased it thinking that a scrub was not such a precision tool and would probably do just what I needed. I cambered and sharpened the cutting iron and went on to using it. I have used it quite a bit last week and it has proved to be an adequate scrub so far. Your plane tune up was very good and you did a great job of covering the subject. Thanks for the video.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome. I'm thinking on turning one of mine into a scraper plane.

@woodswanderer7274

2 жыл бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion That sounds like a very useful conversion. I am interested in how to accomplish that especially since I have never used a scraper plane or even seen one except in a picture. How would you hold the iron in a near vertical position?

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

@@woodswanderer7274 Tough to describe without pictures or plans. In my book, "Sanding and Planing," I show the plans for a home-madescraper plane. I'd use a similar mechanism set in the metal bed of the HF plane. I'd also use the HF iron as the scraper.

just hysterical! and very informative. Thanks.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Most welcome.

Silks ear into a sows purse. Yep. Hey, great tutorial, I have one of those planes and ran into the same problems. Too stubborn to put it in the dumpster, finally got it useable.

@WorkshopCompanion

Жыл бұрын

Thanks.

There is one thing for sure, only officianados will talk about bench planes to this detail, because they love it!

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Aficionado, you say? I've been called worse...;-)

Thank you for the very informative video.

This is exactly where I found myself. I was new and only started to learn that a Stanley No4 was a good thing to have. In the best reputated tool shop of the town I found it and price was OK to invest a newbie. Although nranded Stanley, it was exactly that tyle of plane like you show. When I started to have doubts I was wandering in the internet whether Stanley had started to make cheap copies of the good brand. Or maybe company or brand was bought out on China.

@WorkshopCompanion

11 ай бұрын

The original Stanley Works tool company merged with Black & Decker in 2010 and is now Stanley Black & Decker, headquartered in Connecticut, USA. They still make a good many planes, including three versions of the No. 4. I have a Stanley "Sweetheart" No. 4 made by the Stanley Europe division in Belgium (manufactured in Mexico). They also make a "9-3/4"-inch Bailey," which looks to be a direct copy of the old No. 4, and the "No. 4 Adjustable Bench Plane" with twin screws to advance the iron and adjust its angle. I have no experience with the last two; I couldn't tell you how they perform. But there are knock-offs of the older Stanleys available, and you may have gotten one of those.

@roberttailspin6330

6 ай бұрын

@@WorkshopCompanion Which version of "old No. 4" are you referring to? Just kidding... lol. For the benefit of those following along, Stanley had made many iterations of #4s over the years.

Superb videos on hand planers sr.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

As someone that's had one of those Central forge planes for several months and very few other tools to try and dip into woodworking, thank you for the sanity check. I thought I was doing something wrong when I've been unable to get the plane to give consistent shavings.

@WorkshopCompanion

8 ай бұрын

This is what prompted me to make this video. I consider it irresponsible and dishonest to sell something that looks like a bench plane to people who need a bench plane, but don't have the experience to know that what they're actually buying is a boat anchor. The Central Forge con men know full well that you will blame your inexperience for not being able to make a boat anchor cut wood, and they will be able to keep your money. This is worse than larceny because not only have they robbed you, they have duped you into doubting your abilities.

"A sin against craftsmanship." That should have been the name of this video. While I really like Harbor Freight for things like nitrile gloves, and cutting wheels for my angle grinder, and their cheap small "F" style clamps, a hand plane is just complicated enough to really screw up while giving you the impression the problems are the fault of your tuning (fettling) abilities. I love your philosophy here, as well as the information provided. Good, good stuff. You've earned my subscription.

@WorkshopCompanion

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome -- and welcome!

Great review