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I'm looking for recommendations for a smaller hand plane for carving archtops inside and out. I kind of like squirrel-tail planes in my hand. Any size or radius works better? Lee valley has a convex squirrel tail but it looks too curved maybe. Any ideas would be appreciated. Jason

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

These might be to small, I'm thinking about getting a set myself

http://collinstool.com/base.php?page=bunny_planes.htm

I use the Ibex fingerplanes. They come in sizes from tiny up to a palm plane. They are not cheap, but are well built. I use them for violin plates. They work great. Vic.

I have the Lee Valley model and used it on a mando. Very comfortable little fellow. Ergonomically well designed. It also came very sharp out of the box which is good because I have no idea how you sharpen a curved blade. Good value IMHO.

Danny

I'd recommend trying to make your own. It's not that difficult (kind of addictive, really) & you can tailor it to your needs. These are some I've made, for everything from windsor chair seats & violins to archtops. Still use them all.

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Dave
Milton, ON

The "bunny" planes are rabbeting planes with a longitudinally straight sole. Not appropriate for this purpose.

A couple of Ibex planes work for me. The "D'Angelico" plane that LMI used to sell (and maybe still does) did not work for me (almost no sole in front of the blade, and a huge mouth. I don't know what they were thinking; it appears to have been designed by a committee).

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

On my two archies I've used the Ibex and Lee Valley curved sole planes. I actually liked the Lee Valley pretty well. Anyone have some good tips for sharpening curved blades?

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I have the Lee Valley one but much prefer the Ibex palm plane and a couple of smaller size Ibex planes. A 3/4" #7 sweep bent gouge works great for hogging out wood on the inside as does the Lee Valley pullshave. A straight chisel works fine for roughing out the outside. The pullshave is only a nice to have however and the cost is quite high compared to the usefulness. I've been meaning to make some planes for this, but haven't felt the immediate need so far.

;I did a bunch of research before I asked a question, the trend seems to be that D. Angelico planes are not for me. Thanks for the imput and private msg's. Getting the right tool can make a job a heck of alot easier. It looks like right now i'm going to try to carve the top with traditional wood carving chisels. I can do the inside too I guess. I think the best bet is to make planes that are just curved enough to do what i'm trying to get. A couple luthiers on this forum have offered their help in special ways. I'll let you know how it all turns out. Thanks again for EVERYONES time and responces. Jason

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Have you seen these adjustable mouth Planes? More for fine work but definitely different and pricy.

http://www.richardkell.co.uk/luthiersPlane.html







Here are some blog posts about the fabrication process: http://richardkell.livejournal.com/tag/luthiers%20planes