Plane Till

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This was a project post from a while back…small changes since then, but about to be larger changes!
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This is a plane till I built because I wanted the hand planes closer at hand…and I'd just finished installing a French cleat wall, so why not! It's a combination of maple and birch ply. I used loose tenons as a way to try integrating the two wood types using that method of joinery. A little trial and error to get the angle right so the planes feel heavy when I set them in the till and they don't move. Then some layout with scrap strips to get the spacing right. The small hidden trough at the bottom does the anchoring, although I did have do some 'customization' the get some of the totes to fit.

I used small stainless screws to hold the spacers in place, mostly because I liked the way they add an accent to the till. I didn't glue the strips in, but then I don't actually foresee removing the strips or moving them around, but I guess that I could.

I tried to use every one of my planes during the build. I succeeded, but only because I forced the issue. Oh well, a fun reason none the less!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Looks great Ryan. few questions now. It appears that the divider strips are 1/2" x 1/2", correct? At what angle did you set the backer board? Or height of it compared to the width. I need to build one of these and I have a few ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Main Street to the Mountains

Eric I’m out of town until the middle of Dec. I’ll get you measurements when I get back! Honestly, I winged it, but it worked out!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Sounds good, have fun.

Main Street to the Mountains

Would you do the French Cleat wall again if you started over? I'm at that point where I am thinking of how to hang the "wall" stuff. 
Absolutely. And I’d make it the entire width of the wall. You can build cabinets to hang on it, individual tool racks, whatever. I’d say the only ‘downside’ is that you’re now into making all your own fixtures, since they have to somehow integrate into the wall…which would be fine with me, but it’s a consideration. 

The other thing I like about it is that I ripped a bunch of long cleats all at once (4-5’ each), so they’re ready to just be cut down and mounted to the rear of whatever I want to hang…so it’s not another step to build a fixture, just build what you want and slam a cleat or two on the back, easy peasy. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

I use French cleats in my shop. A good thing about using them is the fact that if you want to reorganize the shop it's easy to move stuff around, you may have to empty the cabinet, but worth the effort.

Main Street to the Mountains