What do you do when you have a little bit of time to play in your shop? You build a little project.I started to build a miniature coffin smoother yesterday and still have a ways to go, but thought I'd show you the progress so far.
I have a few antique miniature planes, and referred to one that's only 3" long (top photo) as a prototype.
The blank I'm using is pearwood (I believe), cut oversized for easier clamping. I'm not sure what the final shape of the body will be, only that it will have some chip ca
rving.The bed angle is 45º; the front angle (looking down from the top) is about 62º; and the lower portion of the front angle is open enough to provide clearance for shavings, but beefy enough to support the front of the mouth.
The toughest part for me is making sure the bed is flat and the shoulders that hold the wedge in place are identical.
Next up...making the blade.