I just finished this “Ogee” Moulding Plane to accompany the “Classic Ogee” moulding plane I posted a few days ago.
The Beginning
This one is the same dimensions as the other one. Again, I start off by making it a little on the large side at 3-1/8” tall by 10-1/8” long and finish to 3” tall by 10” long. I will be making this plane out of two kinds of wood. But this time the top half is Spalted Maple and the bottom half is Red Maple. I’m pretty sure it’s Red Maple but not 100% sure. It’s very hard. Again I made both halves about 1-5/8” x 10-1/8”.
Also again, I mate the two halves using a sliding Dovetail. Next, I flush the ends square. I don’t take too much off because I want enough to finish off to final dimensions at the end.
Shaping the Profile on the Bottom
As mentioned, this is a a standard “Ogee” profile on my plane’s sole. There’s are many different kinds. See Fig 1. Again it was a a lot of work but fun.
The edge highlighted “orange” per Fig 2 is the actual shape for making the blade.
Scratchstocking Beading
Like before, I scratchstock some beading where the two different kinds of Maple join at the dovetail. This is done on both sides. See Fig 3.
Mortising for the Blade I now begin mortising for the Escapement area from the top down using a drill press jig that I made, per Fig 5. This allows me to drill out most of the meat for the Bed and Wedge Face angles .
Here are the indiviual piece of the jig per Fig 6.
Using the jig, I drill three ¼” dia holes. One for the 50° (top hole in detail); One for 60° (bottom hole in detail) and a center one. All meat is removed between these with chisels and my homemade float. See Fig 7.
Making the Blade
Next, I cut out the blade as shown per Fig 8. I place the blank into my escapement cavity for a fit check before continuing to shape per Fig 9. I then fit the blade in properly and as before, I trace the soles face onto the blade using a hooked awl. The blade is shown finished per Fig 10.
In Fig 11, here’s the completed Blade and Wedge. Ready for service!
Finishing
I now proceed to applying my finish. Initially, I apply two coats of a 1 lb cut of shellac to all surfaces. Then I apply two coats of 2 lb cut of shellac. Then….I proceed to French Polish with shellac on all surfaces. Here’s the start per Fig 12, 13 and 14. French polishing turns out to be mindboggling beautiful!
Next, Per Fig 15, I Polish all sides with Wood Butter. Wow! It turned out beautiful. The plane feels velvety soft in my hand!
Testing
There are two types of moulding planes. They are “Sprung” and “Unsprung”. Usually on the nose of moulding planes there are lines scribed onto the surface that are called “Spring Lines”. See Fig 16. The purpose of Spring lines is to tell the woodworker how to tilt the plane so that these lines are vertical and horizontal. Then while holding this tilt, the woodworker then planes. See Fig 17.
Spring Lines are necessary for complex blade cutting shapes and make it far more easy to plane the shape. If there are no spring lines then usually the blades cutting shape if far less complex and spring lines not necessary to execute the cut.
This is the result, Fig 18, of the moulding after 4 -5 passes with the plane.
Mr. Rick Sir, magnificent work, pure craftsmanship at it's best. 👍 You have mastered this art, must have all the reference material needed for your use, but if you desire for more, here are three books I purchased for my information as a user;
The Wooden Plane - It's History, forum, and function. John M. Whelan. Astragal Press. With 502 pages of description, plane name, profile, and over 1000 illustrations.
Making Traditional Wooden Planes. John M. Whelan, Astragal Press. Shows all types - molding, bench, plow, Boxmaker's, etc. etc. Restoring, Tuning & Using Classic Woodworking Tools. Michael Dunbar. Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. This covers a lot of 17th and 18th century tools, as well as planes.
Just thought you might be interested. Beautiful craftsmanship on this plane, enjoy using it.
Oldtool Mr. Rick Sir, magnificent work, pure craftsmanship at it's best. 👍 You have mastered this art, must have all the reference material needed for your use, but if you desire for more, here are three books I purchased for my information as a user....
Thank you very much Oldtool! This may surprise you but I have no reference material and no books regarding making moulding planes. I have read a few articles here and there and seen photos of others work but other than this I have just developed my own techniques and refined it. Thank you for the book recommendations. I know Whelan's books and was thinking about buying one or more. Cheers! Rick
