Being a newbie with hand planes can you explain difference between #3 Stanley and a #4 Stanley.  And of course in my continuing education when do I know which to use?  

 

Gunny this is my answer. The #3 is easy to find used and is classified as a smoother as the #4 is. Personally I use the 3 for taking off moderately large amounts of wood quickly. Then on the #4 you might describe as the final touch before using a hand held scraper. The 3 is as its number expresses smaller than the 4. There may be angle differences between the two on the blade bed but I am not sure.

6 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Personally I use the 3 for taking off moderately large amounts of wood quickly. Then on the #4 you might describe as the final touch before using a hand held scraper.

I have 2 of the #4 style planes.  My Dad's old craftsman I set for moderate removal when doing edge banding.  The Wood River version I have set for just a slither of a ribbon. Been using that as you suggested for final touch.  May take a trip to Highland Woodworking in Atlanta and put my hands on different #'s of planes.  The guy at that counter was very helpful when I asked a few questions last year.  Then I can come back and do some searching for deals on CL and such for what I want next.  

 

Noticed @steven newman used a longer joiner plane.  

The main difference between the #3 and the #4?    width of the cutting iron....which means the #3 is about 1/4" narrower than the #4.    Also seems to be a tad lighter...the #3 can go places the larger and sometimes longer #4 just can't get to.  

 

 

I usually size the Jointer plane to the size of the work being done.....I used the Carrier sized No. 8 because the item I was planing needed the wider plane, and longer sole.

 

Had been reading at other sites about whether one NEEDS a 5-1/2 sized "Jumbo Jack " plane.....decided to try one out today.....it is 15" long, and a bit wider body that the "normal" #5 Jack...And..weighs a lot more....I could also use the #6 or #7 jointers....IF the item was long enough....Box is barely over 12" long...maybe 8" wide on a humid day....

 

 

There is one other "Jack plane"  I can use....has the same width as a #3 plane....just a bit longer...8" vs 11"  and is called the Junior Jack....aka Stanley No. 5-1/4 ( Millers Falls No. 11) It won't wear your arms out like a normal jack or larger would.   It just wasn't long enough for this job. 

 

Sometimes, if the item is small enough, a #3 can also work as a jointer....as well as a smoother.....

I don't do much flat work now but had found the #8 to be used rarely, but still nice to have. The #5 is also one I rarely use although it may be better than the 3 for some of the small jobs I do.

Ok...a little catching up....Lid came out from the army of clamps...same with the rack glue-up....Lid and box needed to be "adjusted" so the lid would fit the box...and...the box would fit the lid..

Fairly close?    Then the racks were glued inside the box....needed a way to clamp them down...

Stack up enough scraps, and use the side of the bench....Had to do this twice....once for the main assembly..and then again for the single 2 x 2....

 

have a large baggie filled with Hobby Lobby hardware parts....dumped it out into the lid...

Then sorted through the mess, looking for just the right parts...

Like hinges, a latch...maybe some handles?    I do have another label holder I can install....Hmmm

 

have Laundry Detail in a little bit....may see about adding some hardware....

Stay tuned

Laundry Detail is done...And while the washer was running...I got "done"..

.

Fancy schmancy Screwdriver to install most of the hardware...hinges...

A handle on each end...

Needed a drill for the larger pilot holes..

A Latch, and a Name plate holder.  As for those square holes?

The 2 black circles show where the holes USED to be...Poplar scrap was trimmed for fit, glued in place, planed and sanded flush..

Was having "issues" with a chain...the first one I cut...went and hid...so, I cut a second chain.  Sanded the entire box down..

 

Time for a PIP....until I can add a top coat..

Front view...notice the square plugs?

End view.  Note the grain direction on the end of the lid...

And a view of the top of the lid....open up the lid..

And look inside....

Let this dry overnight, and then see about a top coat, or two....

Stay tuned..

 

1 hour ago, steven newman said:

Let this dry overnight, and then see about a top coat, or two....

Stay tuned..

I see you did the inside, NICE!!!

That turned out great Steven.

I see. A new box after every yard sale excursion, right? 

Very nice box, Steve. 

Poplar bowls for me...

Now if you keep makin boxes you will have to ship one or two of those out to make room for new acquisitions so I volunteer to store a few for ya 

That is really nice work. Beautiful box !

Paul