Small Smoothing Plane WIP
It’s been a long time coming but I’m finally making good progress with building the pre-production Small Smoothing Plane (SSP). I always (well maybe “always” is a bit of an exaturation as I’ve only been down this path once before) try to build a kit from the actual parts that are intended for sale, just to make sure that they fit together as they should, I can then take plenty of pics to put in the assembly instructions – which I’m completely dreading to write.
Here are a few of the WIP shots to wet your appetite.
Filing the sole
Checking the fit, note the small gap present for peining the brass to lock the shell together. (excuse the milling marks, I got a little carried away with the milling machine when cleaning the rivets that hold the blade support block)
Here’s the profiled block used to support the shell during peining, the cutouts are there to accomodate the blade support block and cross pin.
The peined dovetails – yes they’re supposed to look like that 
The three layers of masking tape does a great job of protecting the brass sides from rogue hammer blows. The brass is drifted into the corners using a round nose punch to ensure that the dovetails fully fill the voids.
Here are the dovetails roughly cleaned up, furtter cleaning will follow once the plane is stuffed and the infills are riveted.
I’ve also roughed out the infills, but haven’t yet taken any photos, I’ll take some tomorrow and post further details tomorrow night.
Cheers for now.
Aled
Comments
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Ed Sutton on 02.02.2010
The small smoother looks good Aled.
Any thoughts on pricing and kit availability?
Ed
Aled on 02.02.2010
Thanks!
I’ve not really decided on a price as yet, as I’m waiting for a price to come back from a company for one part. I should have a price by the middle of next week.
As regards availability, I hope to be able to offer kits within a month to six weeks, maybe sooner if I manage to find the time.
Cheers
Aled