For the Surprise Swap 2023 I made a Router Plane (actually 2). I started with a sample blank in pine to get the size and the correct angles that I thought would work well.
It's nice having the ShopSmith when it comes to drilling all of the holes at angles.
I chose Ipe for the base and the block to support the iron (originally, I thought about Walnut but dug through the scrap drawers and behold found enough Ipe). It cut great, the table saw had no problem, no drilling that was a different story. Oh, that stuff stinks too. The hole was drilled at 60* the block on top was also cut at 60* after using epoxy to put a few pieces together. I used sled to cut the notch in the block face nibbling out the dado to fit a iron. The grove in the base was cut with a copping saw and chisel work to fit correctly. The block is screwed to the base and can be removed if necessary. Mainly to get access to the machine bolts for the Kurrle Nuts. (Thinking ahead on that one)
The handles are Purpleheart which I had on hand, I set the handles at 10* to allow a bit of room to get a good grip. I did mortise the handles into the base and screwed in from the bottom. All hardware is Brass.
The Iron is a piece of carbon steel which I picked up while visiting the kids up in Michigan. I tried my best to get a good edge and heat treat, but I think I failed there. Sorry Kebbler, if it doesn't work out well you could probably use a 1/4" chisel.
The box was a last-minute part of the swap. decided this needs a box to be stored in. Again I scrounged through the drop around the shop, trying to find something that would allow me to get the depth. (Found some drops from some stair risers, 5/8" thick, that will work). So I made a simple box with miters and used Maple Plywood for the top and bottom set into groves. I cut the inner dado before assembling, so when the box was cut open I had the dust lip in place. (Providing I had the correct placement, and I did). I did reenforced the miters by cutting some splines from additional pine.
The hinges are Poplar from one of the drop cabinet drawers (yes, I horde my drops). Just a simple box joint with a peened brass rod. I think I used bamboo skewers as pins for added support to secure the hinges to the box. (Memory sucks at times). I lined the bottom with some foam with a cutout for the base of the router.
As a bonus I included one on my Marking Knifes within a small box Maple, Walnut and Purpleheart. This has a sliding top with a magnet to keep it closed.
Thanks for looking and comments are always welcome and appreciated.
A fun Swap, and thanks to Keeble for leading this one. Anyone can join in on the swaps, the more the merrier.
Barb, thanks. I try to make each one a little better.
Corelz, thanks. I thought about this for a bit, I did not have one so off to the drawing board and looking at a few which have been made by folks here.
Tony, thanks. I had fun making this one too, first time really working with Ipe, and it not bad that bad to work with but it sure smells when you cut it.
Dave, thanks. I made 2 of them (kept one) one was darker than the other, not sure which one was better.
Yrti, thanks. It's a Swap thing, try to make something that will pop.
Ryan, thanks. Needed one myself, so decided to give one a try. Need a Spokeshave too.
Petey, thanks. I was happy with them, except for the iron.
Router Plane base: 5-1/2" x 9" and with iron 5-1/2" high, finish is Danish Oil followed with Howard's Feed & Wax Box: 11" x 7" x 7" high, finish is only a coat of Howard's Feed & Wax Marking Knife Box: 7" long and about 1-3/4" square, finish is Danish Oil followed with Howard's Feed & Wax.
