Nice Ash Planes #5: Fifth and final blog about my ash.

by Martin Sojka

How we are making our Nice Ash Planes and why they are different from anything you would most likely be crafting in your shop.

The construction of our plane is unlike the normal "Krenov", shop made woodie. Instead of the usual 5 piece construction, we opted for a simpler, 3 piece design. This is nothing new, as anyone who has seen one of Steve Knights planes can attest to. Though, unless someone can correct me, our design is the first to completely capture the cross pin, making it hidden from the sides. We have yet to see any other examples of this construction method.

The ash lumber is broken down into blanks, squared off, marked and then cut into halves on the table saw.These two halves are then taken to an overarm router. A jig holds the two pieces, as a spiral downcut bit removes the material from inside the planes mouth.Here are two halves ready for glue up.We figured a way to keep everything straight and lined up here, but will keep that to ourselves….. Until we start selling kits.After glue up, the planes are taken to the jointer, where the bottoms are flattened and squared to one face. A thick wedge is driven into the plane, to put it under tension while it's being milled.From here, the plane is taken to the table saw and trimed on the three remaining sides. This photo is to show how square this 3 piece method of construction keeps the planes.The pieces are now cut to length, measured off the mouth opening. Its a very complex jig.Here is where the actual hand work comes into play. First the blade is set on the bed and checked to make sure it doesn't rock.Any high spots are filed down.A line is scribed.The front of the mouth opening is cut back, at the same angle of the bed. This allows for many flattenings of the bottom, without making the mouth wider.Blade slid through to the bottom.View from the inside. I try to cut the mouth, tight enough to escape correctly thick shavings.It's now time for a test shave.