Well here is the Stainless Steel shoulder plane I promised everyone. Like the others, it is made of 316L stainless and polished to a mirror finish. I tossed the quarter into the picture just so that people could see just how spotless the mirror finish can be with stainless. This is steel polished by hand from 100 grit up to 2500 grit, and then buffed with polishing compounds...all my tools get this level of finish.

 

As for the materials, this one is built from Padoak, Crab Apple, brass and of course stainless steel. The tool has been made using mostly hand tools. The only deviation was drilling the holes with a drill press and the adjuster which was machined on a Cincinnati engine lathe. The steel was cut using a hacksaw and file, and then polished up with sandpaper on the round-overs and the like. The blade came from Highland Hardware, while the top knob came from Lie Nielsen.

 

The plane does work, and having a lot of stainless in it, is very heavy and works very well. I am not happy with it though, because it has a gaping mouth which can be seen in the photo. I want to make a adjustable mouth for this plane, but my current employer does not allow me to use their milling machines and lathes for home-projects. That part will be a challenge anyway, but if completed, would make for a very functional and fine looking shoulder plane in my opinion.

 

You can be the judge though...

Travis,

Wow! You've got my attention. That is beautiful. I am in awe at your ability. I admire woodworkers who make fine tools. Whether for themselves or others. If you could make one with an adjustable mouth, I would be interested. Do you have any other planes that are made by you? I have always wanted a miter or infill plane.

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

Wow, Wow, Wow.

 

That is a beautiful plane.

 

So the big question, are you going to make them for sale or just for yourself?

 

 

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com