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Tuning and Using Molding Planes |
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Editor's
Note: The following is the final article in a series of two.
The first can be found in Volume 2, Issue 1.
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The first article in this series introduced molding planes—their
design, how to assign a date of manufacture and what features
to look for when purchasing. In this second part, I'll discuss
appropriate cleaning methods, tuning and sharpening tips and
techniques for making moldings.
Cleaning
Regardless of when it was made, any molding plane is an historical
artifact that deserves to be treated with care. Clean gently.
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- Release the wedge to remove the iron from
the body. Usually, you can simply pull it out;
if persuasion is required, lightly rap on the
plane heel using a wooden mallet. Cup your hand
underneath the mouth to catch the blade should
it fall. If the wedge is jammed, don't strike
the finial; instead, clamp the wedge in a vise
and drive the body off.
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- You may find a number pencilled on the wedge
edge, which is also filed in Roman numerals
on the blade tang. Take care not to erase it
during cleaning. Because of the handwork involved,
even planes made concurrently varied slightly.
Numbering allowed the maker to keep track of
matched components.
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The wedge (top) is from an 18th century
plane and has the number eight written on
it in pencil. The blade (bottom) is from the
same plane; the Roman numeral eight is filed
into the tang. |
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 Go
to Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 
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Other
Articles from this Issue |
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