Friday 25 March 2011

Happy Birthday James.


This is the last child in a family of three. The other two were completed before Christmas - this one is arriving in time for a birthday.




Other than the incredibly figured Rosewood - there are a few interesting features to this A5 type smoother. The first is the bed angle - 52.5 degrees. This is the highest angle A5 I have made to date and I have to say it is really comfortable and well balanced in use.




The other feature is the front bun. There is a radius across the front of the bun instead of being flat like most of my other A5’s. This radius is also on the A1 panel and the XSNo.4. It makes for an extremely comfortable grip when you cup the plane across the front (as I do).

I have been working on re-designing a familiar plane, and this front radius found its way into the new design. Now that this A5 is done - it confirms that I will absolutely keep the radius on the new plane.

Here are a few more photos.




I sent this photo to a friend of mine and he commented that he wanted to eat it (thinking caramel & chocolate). I emailed him back adding that not only does it look edible - but it smells edible too.







I included this photo because it clearly shows the radius across the front of the bun. It also shows the rough layout lines for shaping the front bun. These lines are really rough guides - the final shape is much more complex than these lines would suggest.

Here is a shot of cutting the shoulders for the over-stuffing. This is (still) a pretty nerve wracking cut.


9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gorgeous job as usual, just let me ask, that saw handle has been made by you hasnt it? and the saw, could it be from wenzloff&sons
It is extremely beautyful as your taste uses to be
Congrats ! have a nice day

25 March 2011 at 07:48  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Konrad:

Thanks for the b'day wishes.

James

25 March 2011 at 10:56  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hello Julio,

I did not make the saw - good eye though - it is a Wenzloff saw. It has an ebony handle and was made specifically for cutting exotic hardwoods. There is a matching cross-cut version as well, although the rip sees the lion’s share of the work.

Cheers,
Konrad

26 March 2011 at 08:50  
Blogger Konrad said...

You are most welcome James.

Cheers,
Konrad

26 March 2011 at 08:51  
Blogger Dave Beauchesne said...

Konrad:

That is a beautiful plane, and the figure on the rosewood is spectacular!!

Nicely done.

Dave Beauchesne

27 March 2011 at 11:26  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW!!! My absolute favourite so far!

I have now officially started saving for a Sauer and Steiner A5

Aled

29 March 2011 at 14:35  
Blogger FredW said...

Konrad, WOW, just WOW. Fred

5 April 2011 at 22:17  
Anonymous James said...

It is much more than "WOW" when you actually hold it in your hand. Plus it was packed with as much care as it was made. Just took some shavings: bye-bye sandpaper. Thanks again and again Konrad.

James

12 April 2011 at 18:30  
Blogger Konrad said...

Hi James,

Glad the plane arrived safe and sound. Hopefully it did not miss your actual birthday by much.

No more sandpaper indeed:)

Best wishes,
Konrad

13 April 2011 at 07:27  

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