Question: Hello Mr Sellers, I began woodworking as a passion two years ago after watching some famous american woodworking shows. This is the reason I first bought (cheap) power tools: a router, a planer and a table saw, to realise my first wooden objects (Picture frames, games, furniture, Christmas tree decoration, boxes…) . I quickly…
Question: Paul – I really dread having to remove the irons from my hand planes for sharpening as I have so much trouble getting them back in so that they make consistent shaving both in thickness and width (i.e. square). So far it takes me at least 30 minutes (sometimes longer) testing on a scrap…
It’s true. About 5 years ago or so I started to blog the truth about the Stanley #4 smoothing plane being one of the best all rounder planes that could be had for under £5 via eBay. Back then I don’t know if many people listened but then we were able to start making videos…
I’m never sure about some things but this week I was restoring an older Stanley enjoying myself seeing the rust disappear and helping the students to see the process and the results. Everything went well and the iron was slightly bellied on the flat side and was bent near to the top so we took…
So, if you ever wondered about the #3 smoothing plane you’ll discover yet another Leonard Bailey wonder of plane making. Over the past few days, because we keep a couple for students with smaller hands and less upper shoulder muscle mass, I tried out the plane with the ten ‘musclemen’ in the class last week. I…
…Well let’s talk about the differences in real woodworking. We began making tables last night. Our classes are very fully and very different in that we operate machine-free for all the nine days of the course. That means planing and sawing surfaces and making joinery so everyone develops real skill. Another difference I decided on 25…
Question: Hi Paul, My name is Jamie. I’m 18 and just starting out in woodwork (specifically Luthery, however I really enjoy all kinds). I was wondering if you’d be able to help. I am looking for a number 5 plane and really don’t know where to start. I know you have a beautiful collection and…
A man came into my workshop with his grandson and told his grandson how bad I was for leaving my plane stood upright on the bench. He told his grandson that the blade was “being damaged as we speak.” so to speak. I was obviously in earshot of his one-sided conversation and not wanting to correct…
I thought it might help to see a little background to the Stanley development of their scrub plane and so we put together a short video to see the comparison. I am using adapted versions of the old and new roughing planes to show that they both work very well and cost almost nothing as…
Sometimes you ask me questions about how to set and use a wooden plane because you have found one and can’t get it to work. Well, here is another video to help you get going. I hope that you enjoy it.