Category Archives: workshop

Carving Tools

Posted on 23rd March 2018 by Jack Plane

You rarely hear me banging on about tools, but Christopher Storb posted this excellent article about some London carving tools and their history on his blog yesterday. Jack Plane

Posted in Tools | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Something for the Weekend Sir?”

Posted on 1st October 2016 by Jack Plane

“Yes, I’ll take one of your chairs, thanks!” Anyone who has restored antique furniture will likely have worn out one or two pairs of shoes walking round various chairs, tables and chests, dabbing a spot of polish here and another … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions, Furniture Making, Furniture Restoration, workshop | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Stretching the Truth

Posted on 23rd February 2016 by Jack Plane

I recently bought a new dressmaker’s tape measure to accurately determine the dimensions of a multifariously curved item of furniture that I have designs on. It appears that some nations have as much trouble grasping the antiquated imperial system of … Continue reading →

Posted in Distractions, Tools | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Picture This XXXII

Posted on 28th August 2014 by Jack Plane

“Yes…I’ll have a pound of glue please, and one of your finest four-foot long, 3-1/2″ wide London-pattern in-cannel gouges.” Lot 166 in Christie’s Out of The Ordinary Sale (South Kensington, London, on the 3rd of September, 2014) is this rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Auction Alerts, Picture This, Tools | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Ringing in the New Year

Posted on 31st December 2013 by Jack Plane

There are still a couple of brass founders in existence that reproduce faithful seventeenth- and eighteenth-century style furniture brasses for discerning furniture makers and restorers. Their voluminous and diverse inventories are to be commended. Iron nails, locks and whitesmiths’ goods, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabinet Fittings, Tools | 6 Comments

Preparing Groundwork for Veneering

Posted on 1st September 2012 by Jack Plane

I have been asked recently what tool I use to prepare groundwork for veneering. It is generally good practice to tooth glue faces for improved adhesion of veneer and mouldings etc. (when using horse sauce), but I am hesitant to … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

Posted on 1st April 2011 by Jack Plane

The approaching antipodean winter puts me in mind of my old workshops in the South West of England. The premises were old, converted farm buildings, constructed from mellow Hamstone (a local yellow Jurassic limestone), which were pleasantly cool in summer, … Continue reading →

Posted in workshop | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Making Mouldings from Scratch

Posted on 21st January 2011 by Jack Plane

Making mouldings doesn’t really require a write-up does it? You simply drag out a two horse power, electron-burning, two-handled aluminium and plastic behemoth, install the appropriate sized/shaped router bit, don a pair of safety glasses and ear muffs and begin … Continue reading →

Posted in Techniques, Tools | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Coming Under Fire

Posted on 24th December 2010 by Jack Plane

I assume some (possibly internet-fired) discussion must have occurred recently regarding my apparent destruction of valuable antiques (as posted in Keeping the Home Fires Burning). What ever the occasion or venue, it prompted a number of readers to discharge a few … Continue reading →

Posted in workshop | Tagged | 2 Comments

Going Cordless

Posted on 23rd June 2010 by Jack Plane

A while ago, I purchased a DeWalt random orbital sander on-line. It had a power cord like a length of mangled rebar. Even in the 40° C (104° F) heat of summer, the cord was so stiff that it interfered … Continue reading →

Posted in Tools | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments