where can I find low angle wood planes for sale?

**thaitang** · 04-09-2011, 07:10 AM

I wonder if anyone has any idea where in Bangkok I can find a low-angle block plane for smooth end grain (on wood planks)?

I have been to both Tru-Value and Home Pro in Nonthaburi. Tru-Value has an all-purpose jack plane and Home Pro, funny enough carries older styled wood-block planes for a fraction of the price of the plane at Tru-Value. Although the Home Pro wood block plane works great for smoothing plank edges, the edge of the blade sees too steep to be any use smoothing end grains.

I have also been to Klawng Tawng and a wood working area near Bang Sue with many shops selling nothing but wood products from door and window frames to windchimes, but there was nothing in the way of wood tools.

The wood block planes at Home Pro are cheap enough that I have thought about how I might be able to make modifications to reduce the blade angle, but I cannot think of anything feasible. What would be great is to know where Home Pro gets these blocks from, and going to talk to the manufacturer to see how difficult a modified version might be, but I am not holding my breath on that idea either. I have been also thinking about ordering a cheaper low-angle plane from amazon.com and shipping it here, but then I wonder what problems I might encounter receiving it. Besides, With all of the wood work one sees in Thailand I just thought there would be a plethora of wood working tools readily available. So if anyone has any ideas or has ever seen a low angle wood plane for sale in Bangkok and can tell me where I would sure appreciate it and so would my hands and time

cheers,
tt

**palexxxx** · 04-09-2011, 08:11 AM

Try Veritas Tools, here is a link to a list of dealers for the low-angle block plane, there's one in Japan, or you could try one of the Australian dealers

Veritas Tools - Dealer List

**Marmite the Dog** · 04-09-2011, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by thaitang

I have been also thinking about ordering a cheaper low-angle plane from amazon.com and shipping it here, but then I wonder what problems I might encounter receiving it.

You'll probably have to pay the massive amount of 7 Baht to the postman.

**DrAndy** · 04-09-2011, 02:15 PM

I have found that using a belt sander works very well

I have never used one of those planes, didn't know they existed

anyway, you can use your normal block plane, working in from each end

see this

http://www.ehow.com/video_4420773_pl...ock-plane.html

**ltnt** · 04-09-2011, 05:20 PM

I would think that the guys or shops you see making doors might be able to help you? There is a wood souk or market in Bangkok as I recall near the Wat on the hill/mountain. They do all sorts of wood work for homes. For sure you can find what you require there.

**DrAndy** · 04-09-2011, 06:14 PM

I also use an electric planer, with the cut set to very small

and work from both ends so that splintering does not occur

**Stinky** · 04-09-2011, 06:39 PM

I use a Veritas standard block and that give excellent results and I've never needed to go with a low angle, but then I'm not furniture making.
Have you thought of making your own low angle from scratch? I made a bevelled plane a while back and it easy enough, I ground down a power hacksaw blade for the cutting tool, stays sharp for ages.

**thaitang** · 04-09-2011, 07:40 PM

Try Veritas Tools, here is a link to a list of dealers for the low-angle block plane

thanks for the link. Exactly what I would like, but I am unsure about shipping here. I shipe books often and finally had to go with FedEx as the *almost* only sure way of getting my books. Perhaps I will post in gen forum and see if anyone is going home to Aussie any time soon and I can shoot them the cash up front if they would bring one back for me. Perhaps a safer bet. Hrmmm

anyway, you can use your normal block plane, working in from each end

well I don't exactly have a normal block plane. I bought one of the Home Pro local specials which is great on the edges, but it just chops at the end grain no matter how far back I set the blade (so it is still protruding of course :>). I am using some local hardwood and it is quite heavy, mebe very dense making it more difficult? I really am not sure why the end grain is being such a pig to plane.

I did come across this webpage today:
giant Cypress: Japanese woodworking tool punk • Japanese planes and shooting boards, and this is exactly the same kind of plane sold by Home Pro (which I bought), except, hard to tell but the blade on the block I bought seems to be set at a higher angle, about 45 or more degrees. Anyways went ahead and fashioned a quick version of the shooter board and it helps some, but the plane is still chipping at the end grain rather than shaving off wood. I definately cannot get any curled shavings from going at the ends.

Its almost like the blade is dull or chipped, but I can switch back to a wood edge and the plane shaves as desired, and I have been keeping this blade as sharp as possible to minimize user error. Oh well.

I am no wood expert so it is likely user error, but I have planed pine end grain before with no problems that I can remember. I think I might pick up some piece of rubber wood and see how I make out. Perhaps the softer wood is easier? Regardless I got me some hardwood I still need to square off and the rasp/file route is giving me a headache just thinking about it.

There is a wood souk or market in Bangkok as I recall near the Wat on the hill/mountain. They do all sorts of wood work for homes. For sure you can find what you require there.

I will get the wife to check around for me, but we went to a wood market/area near Bang Sue (we took the bus and I just remember seeing Bang Sue signs along the way, so not really sure how close to Bang Sue) and lots of neat wood stuff for the home from doors to frames to TP holders to carvings, but no wood tools and little understanding about what I was looking for. Mebe I will go back again now I got me the Home Pro plane in hand and perhaps better kao jai this time.

I also use an electric planer, with the cut set to very small and work from both ends so that splintering does not occur

sounds neato, but it wasn't really in the budget to drop 3 or 4K baht for the jack plane at Tru-Value, so I don't see an electric planer under the tree for xmas.

Have you thought of making your own low angle from scratch? I made a bevelled plane a while back and it easy enough, I ground down a power hacksaw blade for the cutting tool, stays sharp for ages.

got some pix? I have thought about it for sure. GD it would be nice to find out who makes the blocks Home Pro sells, they look chiseled, so perhaps a custom lower angle would be mai bpen rai, but who knows.

cheers, any more ideas suggs. appreciated.

**Stinky** · 04-09-2011, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by thaitang

I really am not sure why the end grain is being such a pig to plane

It always is

Originally Posted by thaitang

I definately cannot get any curled shavings from going at the ends.

you won't get curled shavings off bed grain, you need to set your blade as shallow as possible and if you have an adjustable mouth don't have it too wide open or you'll dig in.
I'll lookout the plan I've got for the bevelled plane which might be useful for you, just don't bevel the flat and you're good to go, easy enough for most people to make with mallet and a few chisels.

**Stinky** · 04-09-2011, 08:49 PM

How To Build 3 Basic Hand Planes - Popular Mechanics

This might get you started, they use power tool, lazy bastards, but you'll get the job done using basic hand tools too.

**oldgit** · 04-09-2011, 10:29 PM

I use 18 inch Stanley hand plane kept well sharpened, the weight helps, a block plane just chatters because too light, you could do end grain with a smoothing plane if kept sharp but I prefer the weight, the last job I did was herringbone hardwood decking, the handplane was just the job set at a fine cut for fagpaper joints. hope that helps.

**Stinky** · 04-09-2011, 11:16 PM

^
Not for end grain surely, it has to be a block plane every time for end grain, you have more control and are able to work it quicker, I only get chatter on the run and with a multidirectional wood like iroca and then only if my plane isn't set up right.

**forreachingme** · 04-09-2011, 11:33 PM

Forgot the name of that Soi in Bangkok on the river with plenty of wood, this would be the place... I made a Thread about it once just to enable me find it again onece needed but cannot find damn thread !
Some other made as well threads about this place, not far from Khao San Road...

searched for 15 mins but no result, would be nice someone find thread about it as i plan go there soon again

**Marmite the Dog** · 05-09-2011, 07:33 AM

https://teakdoor.com/classifieds-help...t-and-saw.html

???

**ltnt** · 05-09-2011, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by thaitang