Steve Knight plane kit part 1

[Clint Jones]

This is the first kit I recieved. A brief description of assembly.

First I put titebond on the dowels and each side of the plane body. Clamped them with two clamps. You may need to joint the inside of each body to make a good tight fit. I didnt and ended up with a small gap (around 1/64th) on the front inch or so of the top of the plane.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-001S.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-002S.jpg

After the glue was dry I put the plane in the vice and jointed the bottom of the plane and the seperate sole.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-003S.jpg

I then put titebond on the sole and body and clamped them overnight.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-004S.jpg

Starting to look like a plane http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowcool.gif
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-005S.jpg

Next I trimmed the sole flush with the sides.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-006S.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-007S.jpg

Now for the fun part. The mouth of the plane. This was probably the most time consuming part. First I removed squeze out with a chisel (my good 750! dont use your good chisel!)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-009S.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-010S.jpg

[Clint Jones]

Then using files and rasps I opened the mouth up to fit the blade. Make sure to keep checking so that you dont open the mouth up to wide. Once I got close I just marked a line with a square and filed it to it.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-014S.jpg

Next was the bed of the plane. It was off some so I took a file to remove the high spots.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-013S.jpg

To get the mouth flat I wraped 220 sandpaper around the blade and sanded until there was no light showing through and the blade seated flat.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-016S.jpg

I then jointed the sole checking with a straight edge and square to make sure it was nice and flat. You could also use a power jointer or sandpaper glued to a flat surface
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-017S.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-025S.jpg

Next I marked and cut the wedge to proper height.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-018S.jpg

I dont know how steve does his wedge but I like to cut a small area for escapement.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-019S.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-020S.jpg

I am now finished the only thing left is shaping the body and wedge (however you like http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowwink.gif )
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-022S.jpg

[Clint Jones]

I probably left something out or did something wrong so please add on to what I have here. I still have some shaping to do to the body and a little tweaking to make the plane better (That includes a sharpening job by Mike) .
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/junkerjones/MVC-023S.jpg

I would say difficulty was about Medium. If you dont know what makes a plane work properly I wouldnt suggest the kit. For anyone wanting a nice wooden plane and wants to save a little $$$ I would definately suggest buying the kit. It only took last night and this afternoon to finish the basic plane.

-Clint

[Mark Stutz]

Looks good, Clint. From the pictures it looks like a fairly wide plane...is it?

I've never been able to get the hang of adjusting a wooden plane.

Mark

[Bob Glenn]

I'm interested in making a wooden plane. Bought a book, however, I saw the Hock plane kit for 98 bucks. I thought starting with a kit might be a good way to learn. Anyone bought and used the Hock plane kit?

[Steve knight]

that plane is 3" wide it uses a 2" wide iron.
my kits have changed and they have a mortised in mouth block one thats glued in or one that slides if you want an adjustable mouth. everything fits together with almost no effort and self aglins. can't get an easier kit to build.

[Zahid Naqvi]

Looks good clint, I need to check it out the next time I come visit. Coincedentally my office has relocated back to your neck of the woods, so I'll be visiting more often.

[Eric Hartunian]

I'm interested in making a wooden plane. Bought a book, however, I saw the Hock plane kit for 98 bucks. I thought starting with a kit might be a good way to learn. Anyone bought and used the Hock plane kit?

Bob, I used a plane made from this kit at the LN tool show, which Ron Hock attended. It is really nice, but of course, that depends on the person making the plane. While I really like the Hock plane, and would definitely recommend his iron, don't think you can't be successful starting without a kit. It is really easier than it looks, just take your time.

Eric

[Greg Stanford]

I can't seem to find the kits on the web site, how did you go about ordering it?

g