Please bring back the planing vids.

Keith’s Note: They are back

I would rate my woodworking skills as that of an intermediate. I have recently been trying to learn about hand planes. Your videos have been very helpful. What additionally would you suggest as a way for me to learn how to use hand planes.

Keith’s Note: There are a number of videos here that will help get you started. I would strongly suggest you get a hand plane and just start practicing. You’ll be amazed how you improve.

Keith–great instructional stuff–I am going to be retiring from Labor and Industries in Olympia on Dec. 30 this year and am planning on using some hand woodworking tools inherited from my late father-in-law. My prize possession from him is an old Stanley “45” multiuse plane which I am in the process of cleaning up for use on some tongue and groove work. I also have at least 2 draw knives, a couple of block planes, a couple of spokeshaves and a couple of rabbet planes. I have been studying up on the “Scary Sharp” honing system and have purchased a Veritas Mark II honing jig to prep most of the blades. I also have a 36 inch wood lathe with a 12 inch swing and plan to do some turning work with that too!! Your videos are giving me a good head start..take care and don’t get cut! Irby Vaughn

Keith’s Note: Keep us posted on the progress of your old tool tune-up.

Thank you, sir! I inherited an old plane and I just developed a bruised palm from trying to use it for 20 minutes. Instead of giving up on hand-planes (and relying power sanders), I stumbled onto your tremendously helpful videos. Thank you for showing me how to hold the plane (the handle sure seemed awful small!), how to sharpen the parts (no, not just the blade) and what distance to position the chip breaker to the blade (no wonder the wood kept on getting stuck inside of the plane)! Thanks again!

The worst thing about the vyce is not only stability but effect on bruising timber.I recall giving an antique pistol…one none of us had ever seen before to an old gunsmith to remake the broken spring. It came back with vyce indentations along both sides…I nearly passed out….a rare pistol ruined by an ‘expert’…at the very least he should have used clean copper guards but it didn’t need to be held in a vyce and if it had…surely you would remove the grips and hold from the iron there where damage didn’t hit you in the face…and even so, you’d protect the metal from the serrated vyce jaws….If you want to learn how to use hand tools…buy detailed and expert books from early 20th C for example. In the meantime Keith is lifting people’s skills-pond to a point they at least realise skills are needed…..good stuff.