Scott Post asks about Wooden fillisters:

>What kind of screws are used on these?  Simple wood screws or machine
>screws?  Do they just screw into holes in the sole or is there some kind
>of threaded insert?

I've seen both-- I think it just depends on the vintage.  If you're making
your own, I would definitely use inserts, though.  Using an insert takes
away one more potential point of failure.

>Another question that has arisen: do folks prefer toted filletsters?  They
>sure do look nice.  Are they also nice to hold?

They sure are, but they are also pretty scarce.  One of the primary reasons
I finally ditched my wooden fillister and got a #289 was the fact that I
couldn't find a nice handled woodie that I could afford.  Again, since
you're making your own, I would go with a handle.

One other thing to think about-- you may want to consider using a razee
profile. I've never seen a razee fillister in the wild (have seen a couple
of razee badgers, though), but a few years ago I did some experiments with
panel raisers, and found that using a razee-style body was much easier to
control.  It may just be my technique, but I found that the lower pivot
point on the razee planes made it easier to maintain the proper orientation,
and also seemed easier to push.

Just one more cobble on the road to sinister fillister nirvana... ;-)

ralph