The other day I were buying some tools from the fine-tools.com, I saw Veritas had made a jig, that made it possible to use their rabbet plane, as a small hand jointer. I don’t have a Veritas rabbet plane, but I do have a beautiful old Record 311, so the rest was just two hours at the workshop, making up a MaFe version for this.
I often make small boxes and especially on these projects, I could use a way to make some perfectly squared up adjustments, on the pieces. Also I just made small planing and shooting boards, so this would complete the setup.
This is what we will be making, a small hand jointer, to put in the workbench vice.
First up was drawing a sketch and do some thinking.
The 311’s shape is scratched onto 5 mm acrylic.
Roughly cut to shape on the bandsaw.
Sanded close to the lines, with the Ozzy.
Adjusted with files.
Until a fair fit is achieved.
Not going for perfect, just a fair amount of contact points.
A fence is made from 5 mm acrylic.
I had some scrap quality plywood, so this was cut to size.
Holes and countersink – plenty.
Like so.
Made a small cut out for the blade, and a hole to show me where it is.
All screwed in place.
So the 311 is held firmly in place.
Here also marking a hole, just over the blade, inside the plane.
Drilling a 6 mm hole.
So a bolt can be mounted, with a washer and a wing nut on top.
Finally a strip of plywood, is mounted under, just glue and brat nails.
We got a hand jointer!
Check for square, here it was perfect.
The test, using a small piece of mahogany.
Ran it over the jointer.
Fine shavings.
Perfect surface, even the photo is a wee out of focus.
Backside.
Writing notes, so I can remember what it is. (I’m getting older – laughs).
That’s it a MaFe style hand jointer.
Hope it can be to some inspiration, or even some fine small parts.
Best thoughts,
MaFe
MaFe vintage architect and fanatical rhykenologist.