I am making a small scroll fronted smoother 1/2" longer and 1/4" wider than the one below.
I had a request to make a small scroll fronted plane, the likes of which I haven't made for at least 30 years. However I did have a slither of wood that I had reduced the width of a previous plane with the profile. I found a piece of boxwood hanging around perfectly quarter sawn so I drew round the pattern and made a start.
2 lines for the width of the mouth, 2 lines for the length of the plane squared across the sole. I always start on the mouth first.
This shows me working down to the mouth.
Shaping the scroll with a blunt chisel after I have used a coping saw to form the shape.
The piece of boxwood I started with, after I had reduced the plane to it's width the offcut was big enough for the wedge. To get the grain running right for the wedge, I wanted it quarter sawn, my first cut was roughly at 45 degrees.
At this stage I must make a comment about my Skelton saw. It is an absolute pleasure to use, it appears to cut faster then other saw I have ever owned and the cut is always straight, it is a master piece and I advise anyone who wants the best to buy one.
This plane is a learning curve for me as I can't fully remember how I made the others years ago, I know I made a handful or more.
Just look at these annual rings. Boxwood is magic.
This is as far as I go today.
Ready for smoothing.
This 4" smoother and small scroll fronted smoother are off to Norfolk.