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Christopher Schwarz’s new DVD, “Super-Tune a Handplane: How to turn a flea-market find into a fast, accurate and smooth-cutting tool,” is now available in our store for pre-order. I watched the two-day shoot for this video (ya know, just to make sure he got everything right (ha)), and I now feel confident that I can clean up and tune up my grandfather’s vintage No. 3 to get it in fine working order (which I guess means I can spend the money I’ve been *squirrelling away for a shiny new brass No. 3 on something else). First order of business: Order some citric acid powder.
Chris shows you what to look for when you’re shopping for a soon-to-be-user tool (and gives you an idea of a reasonable price to pay), then:
• Breaks the plane down to it’s smallest parts for cleaning, if needed
• Gives you various options for removing years of gunk
• Shows you how to assess and address a variety of common problems with vintage (and some new) tools
• Shows you how to reassemble the newly cleaned and fixed up parts to better-than-new standards
Then, he shows you how to “super-tune” any decent handplane, new or old, to incredibly high standards. (And the one tool Chris recommends fussing over the most is the smooth plane, because that’s the one that touches the wood last).
This DVD is the perfect way to save yourself $325 – if you’ve been coveting the same plane I have (minus the DVD cost and the going rate of a salvageable flea-market plane), and bring an old tool back to life. Or, turn a less-than-premium new plane into one that works like you paid a lot more. Order your copy of “Super-Tune a Handplane” now!
* Do not use the interwebs to look up the correct spelling of this word; the first listing under Google should not be viewed at work. Or while eating lunch. Or perhaps never.
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Squirreling for a LN #3? Well, I might if it was the high angle 3…
Oh, wait. Money… You’re saving up money…
Yeah, well, I’d probably do that, too.
😛
Happy Thursday.
Citric acid may be found at home brew supply places and health food stores. I get mine from a decent wine and beer store.
Paul
Megan,
While it’s great to tune an old tool so its in tip-top-shape, certain aspects of the plane for which I anticipate you’ve been saving, are worthy of addition if not replacement. The thickness of the iron and chip breaker work wonderfully to eliminate most chatter, and the thickness of the castings minimize flexing. I, too, have some very early 20th century planes in my kit, and they are a blast to use, but the wish list plane can take you to different places.
Cheers,
Lee
I found citric acid powder (which I plan to use to make my own Mozzarella) at Jungle Jim’s. I think it was in the Indian section.