An Inexpensive 50-Degree Smoother

[BobSmalser]

In the first installment below, I converted a 30-dollar Stanley No. 4 1/2C parts plane to 50 degrees in preparation for a big job that involves hand planing dozens of birds-eye and figured maple panels. The plane worked perfectly, but was harder to push in comparison to the Stanley No. 4 I usually use. In this final installment, I

[BobSmalser]

The soot and pare technique is continued, the soot marks removed with whatever tool is appropriate. In the photo above, mortises are cut to accommodate the

[BobSmalser]

[BobSmalser]

I true all four square surfaces before attempting to shape the tote into an oval

[Greg Luckett]

Man, this is enough pictures and explainations for even a dummy like me

Thanks,

Greg.