The Block Plane - Tune Up and Use - Most Useful Hand Plane In the Shop

In This week’s woodworking skill builder we’re going to talk about the Block Plane, tuning it up, uses and why it is the most important plane in the shop. We are also doing a brief overview of the least expensive way to get a plane blade scary sharp. In fact this system is called “The Scary Sharp System.” It is really easy to use and has a great return on investment. I really can’t wait to see what you create! Let me know what you’d like to see next. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
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(the Shop Fox I talked about in the video is no longer available BUT this one from TayTools is made in the same factory AND has the same style lever cap as the Wood River)
*Sharpening Supplies I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
*Individual Products I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
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Check me out on social media:
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Tools I love:
MY CNC MACHINES (I highly recommend both)
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Camera Gear:

[katzmosestools]

*Lots Of Links today so make sure to click “Read More”*
(the Shop Fox I talked about in the video is no longer available BUT this one from TayTools is made in the same factory AND has the same style lever cap as the Wood River)
*Sharpening Supplies I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*
*Individual Products I used (make sure to get the PSA paper)*

[SailorRalph]

Moving into my first house on a few weeks. Your videos, and some other guys too, are going to get me up and running on my first projects. I can't say how appreciative I am that y'all are putting out such great and informative content. Thank you! Stay safe my friend.

[pedalman]

Thank You for straightening everyone out on how to set a plane down. Keep it You literately are very few out here that is THE The precision in which you work is amazing. I call you the the Toolmaker of Wood

[jackleg]

I bought my first ever plane last week. It is a block plane with an adjustable mouth. I needed this video so much! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and helping me get the most enjoyment from my new hobby.

[Dubya]

You earned a subscriber on this one! I watched 3 other plane videos before this one and yours was the one that got me what I needed! I used your method to adjust my plane and I finally got some super thin curls pulled off of my poplar project. Thank you for a great and incredibly informative video.

[Rage-of-War]

The more of your videos I watch the more I really love your teaching style!!! Kudos!!!

[terrmaso]

Thanks as always. Love how you keep it simple for the slow folks, especially me. Just picked up my first plane about a month ago. Figured $10 for a Stanley handyman wasn't bad for my first endeavor into hand planes. I know it's not the most popular, but we all start somewhere. Actually just picked up two older Stanley 220 block planes today on FB market for a steal. Thanks for the great info on use and tuning. Eager to see how they perform.

[qgfyypt]

Great video! I'm using my block plane a lot and when I'm working it's always within reach for all the reasons that you mentioned - it's a very versatile tool, I'm abusing it a lot and scary sharpening it as much !!! It not an expensive one but once you flatten the sole and sharp the blade you have got a great tool in your arsenal!!

[chm]

I was very fortunate to get a Lie-Nielsen low angle jack plane for my 40th this month, but I’ve been struggling with it. The beauty of this set up video means that I should be able to use this info to set that up too. Brilliant! Thanks so much! 👍

[skatergod]

I love the W.M. Walker comment 😂. I was watching his video the other day after he posted it and made that jab at you.

[darren]

All these years I've been taking the blade out to flatten the soul, but as soon as you mentioned the flex, the penny dropped. That makes sense. Thank you.

[xxepiphoneyxx]

I watched this yesterday and almost scoffed at your comment of placing planes sideways. I came back to comment because I just tested this with my Japanese block plane and holy cow the iron moved side to side! SO. I am now a firm believer of placing my planes down and not sideways! Thank you! I might suggest the in between would be to place the planes down across a tool tray(like Rob Cosman) or opening so then you are doubly careful! Thanks again!

[jameslemasters]

Jonathan loved the video on block planes. I was waiting on you to mention that when you skew your plane you also reduce the cutting angle of the blade. Thanks for all of your effort in helping people.

[gabeeb]

@12:08 "You can cut that out." Lol, cracks me up JKM. You the man.

[Emptei]

Thank you for this video, I was literally tuning my block plane a moment ago!

[Bwarned]

Excellent video! I've been using them for years, but have recently decided to do more projects by hand and have found so many new uses!

[walterrider]

thank you Katz . funny story if you like . i noticed your shop apron . it reminded me of one of mine sort of . i was a motor machinist in south texas it was a friday mid summer so hot anyway i was knocking off some metal with a disk grinder well . being friday apron was dirty and oily as it gets . i noticed it was just really hot on my chest for some reason. yup it caught fire and it was a smoldering from all the sparks coming off the disk grinder. yup i was smoking hot lol . oh i am old broken down geezer who started wood working i got my no. 62 and block plane took em apart like all us do with a new toy lol . took me several minutes to figure out how to put em back together . it works so its okay lol . thank you for all your info . heads up dont let other ppl get under your skin . they are for the most part unimportant to you in the first place . rule of my thumb only ( if you are not feeding, putting a roof over my head or having sex with me you are not that important to me . be the best Katz you can be . bless you and good luck

[christopherreddinger]

Great video Jonathan. I use my Stanley 60 1/2 nearly every time in the shop. Thanks for the comments on LN rabbit block plane. Guess I’ll need to make room in my tool chest for another tool.

On the topic of “sole to the bench’’ or “side to the bench”, I was agnostic. Then I got some remediation from the Woodwright himself, Roy Underhill. Roy is usually a very easy going guy but don’t put a plane on his bench with the sole down. His shop gets heavy use, including saw sharpening classes. His concern is not for the plane or the iron. The concern is for the stock that is being worked. Even a small steel filing picked up on the sole of #4 can leave a significant gouge on that expensive hardwood stock you have so carefully planed to a fine finish.

I am no expert and certainly not hating on anyone. Just offering food for thought.

[sweatyworf]

Love the videos man. Ordered your 8:1 dovetail jig and a few saws last month, thank you for the incredibly fast service!

[kingdarkem]

Huh needed this....just got a block plane today that needs some love