Brace yourselves, gentle readers. Two blog postings in one month – I know, right?
First things first – For those needing further proof that the map is indeed not the territory, today it was discovered that tearing off the last page of the Mayan calendar didn’t actually cause the cessation of the human species. Good News – unless of course you’re Mayan and have to date a check. But for the rest of us, it’s smiley emoticons all round.
So, being still here, and on solid temporal ‘ground’, I thought I’d celebrate by introducing a pair of new plane models.
A few months back, I put together a blog post dealing with the concept of design. There were a few reasons for this, foremost being that at that point I was knee-deep in trying to design a new thumb plane.
Around that time, I’d worked out a drawing that I liked – shown at right – and had made a first-run prototype. Between the two, I’d come to a design I was quite happy with, and I’d also worked out a somewhat larger version as well.
So here are the fruits of my labor. The Daed Toolworks DT-1 and DT-2 planes, shown – well, throughout this whole damn post. The smaller DT-1 is 5-1/2″ long at the sole and has a 1-1/4″ blade. Its larger brother, the DT-2, is 6-1/2″ long, with a 1-1/2″ blade.
Just a word about nomenclature here. I’m referring to these as block/thumb planes because I frankly don’t really know what else to call them. In use, they’re designed to do the same sort of work that most of us use a block plane for – chamfering, smoothing small areas, tuning joinery, and all manner of odd jobs. In the history of infill planes, however, I think this sort of tool falls loosely under the thumb and chariot plane heading. From a design standpoint, I don’t think they really look much like common models in either camp.
But for the sake of giving some sort of explanation as to their likely use – block/thumb plane it is.
In designing these, the criteria for me was to make a plane that was compact and ergonomically designed for both one- and two-handed use. Along the way I also wanted to see if I could stretch the aesthetics of my current work just a bit more.
I’m including a number of photos of the planes with a few of the more common handholds. I find these extremely comfortable, and to be honest I couldn’t be happier from an ergonomic standpoint. Please resist the urge to sign me up for a manicure.
I’ll be adding some info on these to my website over the next couple of weeks, but I wanted to at least get them posted to the blog before the year slips away. For those interested, the DT-1 is going to be priced at $1850, and the DT-2 at $2050. I also have plans for a DT-0 (1-inch blade) at $1750 and a DT-3(1-3/4″ blade) at $2350.
Here’s wishing everyone the finest of holiday seasons. I’m looking forward to some time with my family, and some time in the shop. I’m taking a two-week hiatus from planemaking to actually do a bit of actual woodworking. Huzzah!
Kevin Brehon says
These are certainly beautiful planes. Your design method has certainly paid off. I also appreciate the attention paid to the ergonomics. You have given Mr. Sauer something to be jealous of.
raney says
@Kevin Brehon
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for the kind words – though I should probably emphasize that I don’t consider the design methodology to be mine at all. I was trying to point out what I think is essentially THE design method. The big point I’d hoped to get across is that it’s primarily based on a lot of straightforward work.
As to the designs giving Konrad something to be jealous of – well, I don’t think it’s a secret that I consider him to be one of the most talented designers I’ve ever run across, so that’s about as high a compliment as I ever expect to get. Thank you.
Perhaps you’d consider emailing Konrad to tell him that? Nothing too over the top or anything – just a short email; something like – oh, I don’ know – maybe:
“Raney’s new planes kick your planes’ asses. Nyah Nyah.”
You could always toss in a “USA! USA!” or two as well – just to remind him that the US is number one. Unless of course you’re canadian – in which case that might be a little strange.
Just thinking out loud here.
Kevin Brehon says
As a matter of fact I am Canadian. But you can qoute me next time you talk to him.@raney
Kevin Brehon says
As a matter of fact I am Canadian. But you can qoute me next time you talk to him.@raney
raney says
@Kevin Brehon
Drat!
🙂
raney says
@Kevin Brehon
Drat!
🙂
Greg Reid says
Hello Raney ,
congratulations on the design of the thumbplane,
it looks fantastic ,have beaten Konrad to making it ,a cabinetmaker friend from Sydney Mark Hardy ,posted me a similar design he and Konrad were working on over 1 year ago .
I will forward the blog to Mark I am sure he will be impressed ,I am ,it is so victorian 2012 .Greg
Greg Reid says
Hello Raney ,
congratulations on the design of the thumbplane,
it looks fantastic ,have beaten Konrad to making it ,a cabinetmaker friend from Sydney Mark Hardy ,posted me a similar design he and Konrad were working on over 1 year ago .
I will forward the blog to Mark I am sure he will be impressed ,I am ,it is so victorian 2012 .Greg
James Watriss says
Seriously sexy stuff, Raney.
I’ll be sure to email Konrad to let him know that your planes are kicking his planes’ asses. I’m from Boston, so I can get away with things like that.
Well, get away with might be excessive. But I’m sure it wouldn’t be too unexpected.
James Watriss says
Seriously sexy stuff, Raney.
I’ll be sure to email Konrad to let him know that your planes are kicking his planes’ asses. I’m from Boston, so I can get away with things like that.
Well, get away with might be excessive. But I’m sure it wouldn’t be too unexpected.
FJ says
R,
Just wanted to say keep up the good work. Function aside, you have a distinct look going now, one that is unique and just original enough to set you apart.
The lines and overall design are both new and old in a very good way.
FJ says
R,
Just wanted to say keep up the good work. Function aside, you have a distinct look going now, one that is unique and just original enough to set you apart.
The lines and overall design are both new and old in a very good way.
Niels says
Digging the design, Raney.
The small one looks like it fits like a glove!
Are you bringing them with you to Brooklyn next week?
N
raney says
Hey Niels,
Unfortunately, I’m not going to make it to Brooklyn this year. I was told LN still has me listed, but I had to back out of this one.
Sorry I’m going to miss you. You still splitting time between NY and RI?
Niels says
Digging the design, Raney.
The small one looks like it fits like a glove!
Are you bringing them with you to Brooklyn next week?
N
raney says
Hey Niels,
Unfortunately, I’m not going to make it to Brooklyn this year. I was told LN still has me listed, but I had to back out of this one.
Sorry I’m going to miss you. You still splitting time between NY and RI?
Niels says
That’s too bad, hope I catch you another time.
I am actually not sure I’ll be in NYC this weekend or the next.
Yeah still doing the I-95 mambo, I am mostly up in Boston and Providence these days with work, but will be back in the city this spring for a spell.
N
Anthony Murkar says
Hey! This is an amazing blog, thank you for posting all of this – I’ve been making a couple of small planes for myself (but nothing like your work of course haha) and found this really really interesting. I’ve read 1/3 of the posts tonight and I will have read every blog post by morning haha 😀
Anthony Murkar says
Hey! This is an amazing blog, thank you for posting all of this – I’ve been making a couple of small planes for myself (but nothing like your work of course haha) and found this really really interesting. I’ve read 1/3 of the posts tonight and I will have read every blog post by morning haha 😀
David Lister says
@Greg Reid
G’day Greg I noticed the name Mark Hardy Cabinetmaker Sydney in your post. As an old acquaintance of Marks I was wondering if you had contact information for mark.I would like to contact him for old times sake. If so I would appreciate it if you might reply to me [email protected]. Cheers David Lister
David Lister says
@Greg Reid
G’day Greg I noticed the name Mark Hardy Cabinetmaker Sydney in your post. As an old acquaintance of Marks I was wondering if you had contact information for mark.I would like to contact him for old times sake. If so I would appreciate it if you might reply to me [email protected]. Cheers David Lister