Working with Handplanes: The New Best of Fine Woodworking Paperback – February 15, 2005

A WEALTH OF INFORMATION. THE BEST, BELIEVE ME. TRULY FANTASTIC.

As pointed out there are differing POV expressed here which is useful. I am not sure that some of the material is relevant--spoke shaves for instance. There is an article on the Stanley 55 that I fond interesting but the 55 has been out of production for years. It is uncommon to say the least selling on the used market for $800 to $1100 when you can find a complete one. The other problem is that someone new to bench planes will only find the relevant data on use and adjustment by going through three articles. Also while I agree with one author about folks obsessing about sharpening he and the others promote oil stones which are largely irrelevant anymore. Further no one mentions the radius that should be used on various plane irons, but just rounding the edges of the iron. One author mentions having problems with a scrub plane; but he didn't radius the iron to the 3" that is necessary for these planes. Also the differences between bevel up and bevel down planes were not mentioned nor was the use of a slight relief bevel opposite the main bevel. Also some of the information is rather out of date; e.g. Lie-Nielsen makes 3 scraper planes the 112, 212 and 85; not just one (also the price quoted is wrong). One unfortunate omission is that there is no mention or evaluation of sharpening systems. For instance the  Work Sharp WS2000 Tool Sharpener  and its ilk are useless for sharpening plane irons as the available abrasives are not nearly fine enough and as the 25º sharpening port (1 3/8" max) is far too small for anything but small block plane irons ad they are generally to short to use it. At least an article on how to select a sharpening system would be handy.Over all a good reference and worth while book with a lot of good information.

After reading it, this book went right to the top of my list of favorites and will remain within easy reach for reference. This is a book that every woodworker should read, if for nothing more than to learn of alternative methods to the typical woodworking by machine of today.Although I own several very good sanders, sophisticated breathing masks, shop dust removal and air filters, I've turned to hand planes to try to reduce or eliminate sanding and the problems that accompany the sanding process, especially the breathing of the dust. This book is probably the best I've read, when it comes to covering all of the alternatives that are available. Scrapers and planes are explained very well, how to set up, tune and use them. It even includes good pieces on how to make wooden scrapers and planes along with beading and molding tools.I already own some good planes. This book will help me use them more efficiently and I intend to make several of the more esoteric planes and scrapers that are detailed in the book. The best part about this book is that it isn't aimed at pros. A novice user can derive significant benefit from this book, especially those that are on a tight budget. Making your own planes are challenging and rewarding. This book helps you do that comfortably.Highly recommended.

The breakdown of everything about planes you could want to know is here. How to sharpen, clean up, tune up in clear detail. Helped me immensely in resetting, cleaning up and using my wood body plane, my cheap block plane, my beautiful old Baily/Stanley 5 1/2 plane. Everything is better for the education I receiveced. Few woodworking books are this clear.

It's nice to get several renown authors' perspective on using one of the best tools in the shop. Each author has a different take on hand planes, but all agree on it's usefulness in the shop.I wish there was a little more info on refurbishing old planes to put them into use, and on hand sharpening the blades. Good blade-holding technique could be expanded.

This book teach you how to plane. This book is not about restore or history about plane... so don't be confuse. This book is great for beginner. If you want learn about restore or learn history about planer then get other book name The Handplane Book by Garrett Hack.

Good book but a lot of repetition within each chapter, still great information on a variety of planes and techniques.

Great book with good Ideas

Problem with this book is that it is obviously a compilation of magazine articles and is therefore very repetitive. Each chapter invariably tells you how to sharpen a plane and other basic skills are also repeated. Having said that I quite enjoyed it, it was nicely produced and I picked up a few handy tips. Not quite what I expected though.

A BOOK THAT WILL COME IN VERY HANDY & A GOOD READ TOO

A+

What is in here is interesting but it’s not really a teaching tool. It is a collection of separate essays bound together. Possibly not the best choice for a beginner like me.

Ein hervorragendes Buch (wenn man English kann).Die Darstellungen sind sehr hilfreich und auch die Beschreibung zum Bau eines Hobels hervorragend.Sehr empfehlenswert.