Planking in need of gutter hand plane to fit near bilge

[imported_Glenn]

I need to back out carvel planks which need to be placed tight up against my molds at the turn of the bilge. Any know where I can find a good gutter plane? Can the job be handled using a power plane with special blades or with some other tool? My planks are roughly 4" wide so I probably need a gutter plane at least 3" wide.

[B.Marks]

We used small grinders to back out planks, if your are careful you can grind things nice and fair. Your plank stock will have to be thicker so that you end up with required plank thickness.

[Paul]

Check out some of the web sites that specialize in old tools. I found an old round bottom plane that I used for backing out the planking on my Haven 12.5. You should be able to pick up one of these at a reasonable price. This type plane can also be used in place of a scrub plane.

[Barry]

Glenn:

Try here:http://www.supertool.com/newtools.htm

His names Parick Leach and he's in Ashby.
I've done business with him and he's good.
Good prices,good inventory and good service.
He has a monthly tool list that he e-mails out.
It's worth to get on his e-mail.
I have the January list saved on my computer, I'll
check this evening if there is a gutter Plane listed.

[Nicholas Carey]

Hmm...Backing Planes...

Well...

You Could Buy One

Knight Toolworks will probably build you one for a [relatively] reasonable price: http://www.knight-toolworks.com/

Or you could modify one of their wooden planes.

Alternatively...

You Could Make Your Own

buy or build a small wooden coffin smoother of an appropriate size:

http://www.htpaa.org.au/oztools-images/kennedy/kennedy1_tn.jpg

These sorts of smoothers are ubiquitious -- almost any antique store will have a couple, ditto for old tool dealers, etc.

Make sure the blade has sufficent steel left for your purposes, as you'll be re-grinding the blade to a new shape. Some old planes have welded bladed -- a steel piece near the cutting edge and the rest of the blade is wrought iron.

Shape the sole to suit your needs. You may have to inlay the sole to close up the mouth some. Spray the blade with machinists layout dye (available from Starret.) Extend the blade through the sole of the plane. Using a sharp steel or carbide scribe, trace the shape of the sole onto the blade (hence the layout dye).

Carefully shape the blade to its new profile with a bench grinder and files. Polish and sharpen it. Set it in place, tune and adjust the plane and you should be ready to start backing out planks.

[Mr.O]

Glenn: I bought a Lie Nielsen #L-N 40 1/2 Scrub plane for backing out the planks on my Haven 12 1/2. It was a bit expensive but certainly worth it . It does a great job effortlessly and the blade holds an edge extremely well. Its a tool that will last and as usual you get what you pay for. Jack tongue.gif

[Bayboat]

You don't need a 3" rounder or scrub plane to back out 4" planks. Most rounders and scrub planes have irons less than 2" wide, but they do the job perfectly well. Start in the middle of the plank, and work your way to the sides as far as you need to get the right shape. As always, use a well-honed iron.