Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, I am starting my first guitar . . . and currently
building up a starting set of necessary tools. As luck would have it, my
wonderful girlfriend asked me if I might like anything in particular for
Christmas . . . a plane came to mind.

I don't own a single plane, but do own a nice set of chiels. I have seen
pictures of some of you (Lance in particular) using a plane to get the
initial profile of braces once glued . . . among many other uses.

Here are the two planes that come to mind. I would love your adivse (or
even suggstions of others if you feel strongly):

Lie Nielsen Model Maker's Palm Plane

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Lie Nielsen
Model Maker's Plane


Lie Nielsen Low Angle Block Plane

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Lie Nielsen Low
Angle Block Plane


Thanks for the input everyone, and hurray for hand tools!!!   

Peter

Peter you can't go wrong with LN other then perhaps selecting the wrong plane for the work that we do in guitar building.  Both choices are excellent.

Add a couple of finger planes and a #5 plane for joining plates and you will be all set.

Here is a pic of what I use.  The green one from LMI is nice but I have my eye on the LN MM plane too.

I have one of Chris's hand made block planes too that Todd is talking about and although I have not sharpened the blade for it yet and used it I am sure that it will be an excellent plane.

Peter:
    Heres' another vote for the LN model makers plane. That tool is wonderful, it just feels good in your hand, does exactly what you want it to do, and does it well....   Worth twice the price.....   Mike

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Hesh, that pile of shavings must have been killing you!?! How long after the
picture being taken did it last?

On a serious note...the Ibex finger planes are super useful for shaving
braces and numerous other functions.

Jamie

OK, I'll dissent.

Buy a Veritas low-angle block plane, and a squirrel-tail palm plane (their version of the 100, or modelmakers plane)
from Lee Valley (lee-valley.com), and have enough left over to buy an old Stanley #5 from ebay. (Heck, maybe enough for a #4 on a good day, too).

In addition to the Ibex finger planes, I like the Schneider plane from LMI.

Jim

_________________
Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Jamie those shaving are from a genuine Adirondack billet that Wayne Henderson's dog...... well you know......  I was going to write a book titled "Clapton's Guitar Luthier's Dog's Favorite Tree...."  Do you think it would sell?

The most embarrassing part of the picture to me is that I had to label which side of my plane blades is "up" and now that I know which side is up the Sharpie won't come off........... 

Hi peter,

I have a veritas low angle block and the veritas apron plane and the apron
plane is allways the first one i reach for.

Its size is perfect for me and i use it fro every thing from rough shaping
braces to leveling the headstock prior to fitting the veneer.
It can do a multitude of the tasks you will need a plane to handle.

The only draw back is you cant adjust the mouth but i find i can still set it
up to take either a a fine smooth cut or an agresive "hogging out" cut.

The low angle block plane is great to but i find the apron plane more
versitile.

I wouldent go for the model makers plane just yet as you are going to
need a slightly more versitile plane for your first one.

The ibex finger planes are a must but you only need one and you can pick
it up from pilgrims prodjects for $20 or less.

the LN plane are supurb as well and if you are getting a bigger plane
spend the extra money on a LN or clifton number 4 or 5 (i like the no 5
myself more heft) it will last you the rest of your life so a worthy
investment.

good luck and have fun with your new aquisitions,

Joel.

P.s. is there such a thing as T.A.S. becouse i think im aflicted.

I can't say enough about Lie-Nielson planes...I used to build competition cedar-stripped boats, and Lie-Nielson sponsored the projects...They are phenomonal people with superior tools...

Stephen

_________________
www.ziegenfussguitars.com

I use Lie Nielsen model makers plane, it is awsome. I rounded over the corners a bit and its even better

Hesh, If you need to buy any more shavings let me know

[QUOTE=Hesh] Add a couple of finger planes and a #5 plane for joining
plates and you will be all set.Here is a pic of what I use.  useruploads/Hesh/2007-11-18_222847_DSCN1908r_edited-1.jpg">
[/QUOTE]

What do you use the finger planes for?

Thanks

Bob will do......

Peter I probably use my finger planes more than my chisels.  I use them for taking the excess material off the sides of the braces to get a triangular profile.  I also use them for taking feathered braces down to near nothing and finish up with a sharp chisel.

They are great for scalloping too although what I am working on this afternoon will not have scalloped braces.  Take a peek.

Looking good, Hesh!

So, where would the model maker's plane and the low angle bock plane
come in to the picture?

Thanks everyone for all your help with this. I really got some sharp edges
going on some of my chisels now, so I am excited about good hand tools.

Hesh, what brand of chisel is that in your pic? Is that one of the LMI chisels?

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Peter - good question!  Although all builders will develop their own methods I use the green plane, much like the LN MM plane, to initially taper the X-brace legs.  For people who scallop their braces this may only be done on the front legs.

You can see from the picture below and then looking at the previously posted picture that most of the original brace material has been removed.  In my style of workmanship I prefer to use planes for the major shaping and stock removal.



All of the X-brace legs were tapered with the green plane.  The low angle block plane could be where I used my LN block plane to reduce the height of the X- brace intersection.  As I was tapping this top I felt like I needed to plane the intersection down some prior to adding the cap.

Both planes, the block and MM plane could/would be used also to initially shape your brace stock to uniform, desired shapes and dimensions.  I do this in a thickness sander now but did use the planes many times prior for shaping brace stock.

Additionally the MM plane can be used to profile a side for radiused sides and backs.

The uses are endless and again dependent on a particular builders building style, what tools they prefer to use, and what they have as well.

Dave yes this is an LMI chisel, my favorite and again it's a personal thing - this one just fits my hand very well and feels like an extension of me.

Hesh,

Your thorough answers and pictures are so appreciated! Thank you!


Thank you to everyone else as well. I know it takes time to craft these
responses, and I appreciate it!

Thanks for the reply Hesh! I feel a bout of TAS coming on...

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars