Thanks for visiting! If you have come looking for my  book, Making and Mastering Wood Planes, please contact my new publisher Lost Arts Press. I still offer the companion video  by streaming from this site.

I established my studio in 1986 designing and building furniture, acoustic guitars, and liturgical works. The “Portfolio” menu is primarily an archive where you may access image galleries representing the scope of that work.  Now I am a full-time luthier building violins, violas, and cellos. I encourage you to visit my website devoted to that work. I occasionally make a guitar and I have available a very modern classical guitar made from Macassar ebony. It is suitable for a performer or advanced student.

 

 The Book:   Contact my new publisher, Lost Arts Press about obtaining copies.

The Video:  Stream it below.

Plane Blades:   I recommend Hock Tools

Click for Testimonials

A recognized classic in the field. The book will guide any level of woodworker through all the steps and procedures in great detail, to arrive at a hand plane that is a  joy to work with. Many fundamentals of fine woodworking are taught along  the way making this an ideal project for the novice. Adjusting and using the plane is described in detail, as is use of the cabinet scraper – sister to the hand plane. Other projects include making a small hammer for adjusting the blade and making a marking knife.

A fine hand plane is a remarkably useful  tool and Krenov-style wooden planes are among the best — at a fraction of the cost of high-end metal planes. I was introduced to this type of wood plane as a student of Krenov’s back in 1984 and I have worked with them daily ever since. Used sensitively, they will make invisible edge joints, trim end-grain cleanly and accurately, bring surfaces to gleaming perfection, and allow you to work with extraordinary accuracy. What’s more, they may  be built to accept extra-thick blades of highest quality steel for ease of sharpening and durable edge retention. Finally, wood planes simply feel great in the hand and are a joy to use.

I would love to hear about your plane making. If you share those experiences, and perhaps an image of a plane you made, I’ll post them to my blog entry devoted to reader reviews and photos. And, of course, check out that link to see how other woodworkers have responded — there’s a lot of them!

“Hi David, just wanted to drop a note that I’ve just finished watching the videos online, and I must say they are probably the best put together and most authoritative instructional videos I’ve ever seen. They were a pure joy to watch, and the amount of extra detail you put in covering every aspect of planes and plane making is nothing short of amazing! Well worth every cent and more!

I’m really looking forward to buying the book now!”

— Ian from Australia

The Video

The video provides over 4-1/2 hours of detailed  instruction on making and using wood planes, closely following the format and content of my book. The book or the video will get you to a working plane. Purchased together they make for a comprehensive learning experience.

Stream It:  $9.95

When your order is received I will send you a login and password to access the video online – it may take me a day or two for me to process your order. Your purchase grants 1 year of access from when your password is sent. The password is reset from time to time. Email me if you need a new password.