This entry will cover the layout and cutting/filing work for the bridge mortises and secondary dovetails on the sidewall stock. First, the bridge work.
The bridge itself is 5/16″ thick, so I lay out a second line 1/4″ above the bridge line – this line is 1/16″ shy of the top of the bridge to allow for a shoulder at the top of each tenon – then I place the mortises within the space I’ve defined. I’m planning to use a bridge that is about 1-1/2″ long, so I lay out my mortises 5/16″ wide with 1/2″ space between them.
Now, I cut this layout out for use as my template, paying special attention to the index lines, which are the front and top edges of the sidewalls. These are what will ensure I’m laying the mortises exactly symmetrically. First on the ‘left’ portion of the sidewall :
If you look closely, you’ll see that each dovetail is actually only ‘flared’ in the lower 1/8″ or so – the top 3/16″ of each joint is perpendicular to the sole. This is the first time I’ve seen this on a plane – my best guess is that Towell used this technique because it greatly reduces the size of the gaps at the top of each joint, which must be peined shut later on. With such a large sole, a full dovetail would be quite a chore to close up, and is really not necessary for strength purposes. I think this is somewhat of an aesthetic compromise, but it is a very interesting feature and I’m going to emulate it here; since the plane is steel-on-steel, the dovetails are not particularly visible after lapping anyway, and it strikes me as an interesting technique to try out.
Jeremy Kriewaldt says
Raney
I am really enjoying this series of posts. May I suggest that it would be worthwhile, when you have finished transferring them into a downloadable form (esp a pdf) so that those of us who also want to try to build planes like this in the future can keep a copy for themselves on their hard disk (unless of course you plan to publish these posts in book form, in which case, put me down for a copy!).
Kind regards
Jeremy
Jeremy Kriewaldt says
Raney
I am really enjoying this series of posts. May I suggest that it would be worthwhile, when you have finished transferring them into a downloadable form (esp a pdf) so that those of us who also want to try to build planes like this in the future can keep a copy for themselves on their hard disk (unless of course you plan to publish these posts in book form, in which case, put me down for a copy!).
Kind regards
Jeremy
raney says
Jeremy,
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying this project – your idea is a very good one, and I'll certainly try to do something along those lines.
raney says
Jeremy,
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying this project – your idea is a very good one, and I'll certainly try to do something along those lines.
Steve Kirincich says
Hi Raney,
Have you thought about including a gallery section showing pictures of previous planes? Perhaps the good, the bad, and the ugly? Thanks.
Steve
Steve Kirincich says
Hi Raney,
Have you thought about including a gallery section showing pictures of previous planes? Perhaps the good, the bad, and the ugly? Thanks.
Steve
Steve says
Looking good so far Raney, thanks for the update. What's the infill choice going to be?
Steve says
Looking good so far Raney, thanks for the update. What's the infill choice going to be?
Raney says
Steve #1 – Eventually, it is my intention to add some more content to the umbrella site for this blog, including photos and probably some additional tutorials on some different stuff. The issue, always, is time.
Steve #2 – Thanks – I haven't definitively settled on it yet, but I'm leaning toward some really spectacular figured Claro I have.
Raney says
Steve #1 – Eventually, it is my intention to add some more content to the umbrella site for this blog, including photos and probably some additional tutorials on some different stuff. The issue, always, is time.
Steve #2 – Thanks – I haven't definitively settled on it yet, but I'm leaning toward some really spectacular figured Claro I have.
Jameel says
Awesome Raney. I'm following along with great interest.
Jameel says
Awesome Raney. I'm following along with great interest.
Scott MacLEOD says
Very excellent blog. Keep it coming. Time permitting of course. And Thanks. Scott
Scott MacLEOD says
Very excellent blog. Keep it coming. Time permitting of course. And Thanks. Scott
BeKo says
When I was in Australia I met Colen Clenton and purchased one of his marnkig gauges. It is a work of art and I’m always so careful when I use it because I’m afraid to mess it up. I need to get over that because its a tool that is built to be used. I agree its a very expensive tool but I figure its something I’ll have for the rest of my life so why not. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for the great time I had taking the 6 day class and for all I learned. You taught me so much and I can’t thank you enough! ThanksJeff Smith
BeKo says
When I was in Australia I met Colen Clenton and purchased one of his marnkig gauges. It is a work of art and I’m always so careful when I use it because I’m afraid to mess it up. I need to get over that because its a tool that is built to be used. I agree its a very expensive tool but I figure its something I’ll have for the rest of my life so why not. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for the great time I had taking the 6 day class and for all I learned. You taught me so much and I can’t thank you enough! ThanksJeff Smith