Official Luthiers Forum!

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] BTW a Festool vac is fully capable of sucking these planes right off the bench... [/QUOTE]
Thanks for the reminder Hesh. I'm planning to get (or make) a small plane, and I'll remember that as I get near it with the vac hose, thinking "I can get just a little bit closer without moving that out of the way." So far, the only thing that's made it all the way down the tube is a screw. I've come close, though. It's amazing how fast a vac can grab onto a shop apron tie and have half of it swallowed before you can react.

Actually, the green Kunz is available w/o the squirrel tail. I think it's a model 102.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

To protect the top from damage while shaving braces I take two strips from a broken tape measure, one on either side of the brace, taped to stick on the top.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Though I do use chisels mostly for bulk removal I lean toward the Ibex planes and the Schneider plane from LMI. The Schneider plane can be trying at time during set-up but once aligned it’s wonderful to work with.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

I use a long chisel and thee 2 small homemade planes
The blades in these are 3/4" wide.

Shane! Greeting

I have not seen Mark on the OLF for some time, but they are excellent little planes.

I also should elaborate a little on my earlier answer, I use this little handmade brass plane 1/2", and I use a chisel and sandpaper to finish.

Mike

I was lucky enough to get a full set of Mark's planes too.
They range from a chunky 2 1/2" long with a 3/4" blade down to about an inch long with a 3/8" (IIRC) blade. They work great. I also have a small curved sole Ibex (30mm ?)which is perfect for feathering down the brace tips & smoothing scallops.
The bulk of my carving is done with planes, but I use a chisel for "scooping" ends & removing the main bulk in the scallops.
Most of the final delicate shaping is done with a chisel.
Before starting to shape braces I cut some strips of bristol board & tape them down next to the braces as I work on them. Prevents much bumping & bruising of nearby structure.
Lee Valley is selling a pretty (and inexpensive)little set of Rosewood & brass planes that (although a bit long) should work well.
I bought a pair, but haven't had a chance to use them yet.
A 1 X 1 hardwood sanding block (a few inches long) is a great finish up tool.
My sanding block has two concave surfaces that match the profile curve of the braces, and two flat faces. I stick 150 & 220 paper to these four surfaces & cleanup is quick & accurate. The corners of the block have a soft chamfer with no abrasive, so they are "safety edged".
Carving braces is still my favorite task!

I use the Lee Valley rosewood planes, one of which is chopped to look just like one of Alains above ... the other not quite as short, but modded as well

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

[QUOTE=MSpencer] Shane! Greeting

I have not seen Mark on the OLF for some time, but they are excellent little planes.

I also should elaborate a little on my earlier answer, I use this little handmade brass plane 1/2", and I use a chisel and sandpaper to finish.

Mike[/QUOTE]

You're right Mike, it has been a long while since I saw Mark on here as well. Maybe he has migrated to the other forum.....

His planes are quite nice, especially since he just sort of hobby builds them. I offered to help market them but he was doing fine moving the small batches he made from time to time, that is great also when you can make something just because you feel like it and not worry if they sell or not...kinda like Hesh and all of his guitars!

Shane

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Canada

Does anyone here have any other information about this "Mark on the OLF" other than that he lives in England?
Im really curious about his planes - if someone could give me some contact info Id really like to get in toch with him.
If you have his 411 please PM me?
Cheers
Charliewood