OpenTube

$40 Block Plane | Tune-up & Sharpening

The Wood Whisperer

132,029 views

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A block plane is a simple and fundamental woodworking tool. I think it's probably the first hand plane most of us purchase when we're just getting started. Unfortunately, unless you spend $100-$200, the plane will not come prepared for peak performance. With some time, a little sandpaper, a sharpening stone and some sweat equity, you should be able to get more performance out of just about any block plane. In this video, I took a brand new Stanley Low Angle Block Plane and gave it a little love. The end results looks better, feels better, and cuts better and that's about all we can ask out of a $40 block plane.

Stuff I Used:
Stanley Low Angle Block Plane - https://amzn.to/3d7y3Ss
Sharp Pebble 2-Sided Sharpening Stone - https://amzn.to/3w2pnFG
Honing Guide - https://amzn.to/3lVXcDu
Renaissance Wax. It's not cheap but a little bit goes a long way. https://amzn.to/2PxjNdN

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20 Comments

@tundrawhisperer4821 5 years ago

“I’m a bargain guy”, said the Woodworker who’s shop is full of Powermatic tools! 😂😂😂. Nice Mark!

@haynryan87 5 years ago

Step 1 earned the thumbs up. Usually I wait to comment and like until after the video, but I have this plane and step 1 "remove the plane from the f!@#ing packaging" was so true

@andrewv5104 5 years ago

If you want a good platform for flattening on a regular basis, go to a local granite counter contractor. The one near me has a 40 foot dumpster full of scraps many of which are about the size of a kitchen sink for some reason....

@DonsWoodies 5 years ago

"I'll start by spilling mineral spirits all over the workbench....". LOL. Been there, got the T-shirt. Love the humor while providing really excellent advice in the video.

@donaldhokanson3321 5 years ago

The f***ing packaging line had me rolling. 😅😅😅

@jeffreysmith5018 5 years ago

Sure, if I had a cheap block plane, I could sharpen a cheap block plane too 😀

@saigyl9149 5 years ago

A good method to finish the sharpening for a beginner is to get a stick of polishing compound, rub it on a piece of cardboard and give the edge a few pulls across on both sides, it can turn a sharp edge into a shave the hair off your arm sharp

@jeremiah3543 5 years ago

I gave a thumbs up and will tell u all the things your doing wrong so u feel like Shannon is watching you

@jocmarti 5 years ago

This guy is funny and should make woodworking videos for a living.

@philshock3805 5 years ago

That "I'm always looking for bargains", line damn near had me spitting coffee out of my nose! 😂

@theeddorian 4 years ago

On end grain, a little alcohol on the surface (or water) will ease planing. I use it to remove really thin shavings for microscope slides.

@snickers1019 5 years ago

"If there is one thing im known for its inexpencive tools" said while standing surrounded by 100 grand worth of powermatic tools

@SuatVergili 1 year ago

I bought the same exact plane last week. It's a good plane if you prepare it carefully and patiently. Mine's sole was crap. So I spent around 3 hours on 120 grit sandpaper to flatten the sole and another 15 mins to prepare the blade (the blade on mine was not that bad in a shape out of the box). It works like a charm now. Thanks for the video.

@pgfollett 5 years ago

Good basic information and a no-nonsense approach.
I just finished tuning one of those models and found the adjustable mouth plate proud like yours. On removing the plate, I found burrs on the machined ways causing the mouth plate to stand out from the body. Removing those burrs with a fine file brought the mouth plate just about flush with the body. Flattening the sole became a lot easier.

@kennethlegendre 5 years ago

Thanks for doing these beginner videos. Not all of us have Honda money so we have to make do with more economical choices. I would love to see you do these types of videos throughout your content. I don't expect the $50 plane to work like a $250 dollar plane, but knowing that it isn't complete garbage makes it worth spending some of that sweat equity to make it usable.

@Mario_Turcotte 5 years ago

Thank you the Bargain Whisperer :P

@rjsaunders92 5 years ago

At 0:21 I stopped and liked the video... ‘nuff said! 😂

@JesseStanchfield 1 year ago

Thanks Mark , hope this comment helps make you rich! Also, the tip about flattening the sole with the thing assembled is gonna help me get my grand daddies block plane tuned!