GGs,

I posted about this last week, but thought I'd throw up some pics of the
mitre plane I just finished. I'm fairly happy with it for a first
attempt at dovetailing steel, and definitely learned some lessons for
next time. The whole thing was done with hand tools, except for a couple
of holes I messed up with the dr1ll pr3ss.

Total cost was probably in the $50 range for the mild steel, Cocobolo
infill, and NOS iron (a WKC Peace single iron). Whatever makers charge
for these things is worth it, though, in terms of the labor involved.

http://smu.gs/18R2DVG

The mouth came out really tight, maybe too tight. I could do a bit more
lapping on the sole, and might revisit that if it isn't flat enough in
use. Lapping sucks, though I did most of the work with Prussian blue and
files.

http://smu.gs/1e8FBBO

There's nothing too fancy about it. Cupid's bow in the bridge, and a bit
of moulding in the front infill. I figured there wasn't much point in
adding details if I wasn't even sure it would work!

http://smu.gs/1cywk61

A few of the lessons learned in the process:

  1) Layout is crucial, especially on the bridge tenons
     and mortises

  2) Clean your files regularly when filing the sides

  3) Quick-Grip clamps ain't enough. I should have bought C-clamps
     (yes, I know=85this is embarrassing)

  4) Clean the oxide off before layout

  5) You need some slop in the dovetails

  6) DRAW EVERYTHING AND COMPUTE YOUR DISTANCES BEFORE CUTTING METAL!

I storified the whole tedious process here from my twitter feed, if
you're really bored and have the bandwidth for a lot of pictures.

http://storify.com/maxwellarm/building-an-infill-mitre-plane

All in all, a fun 3-weekend project (plus several weeknights), and easy
for anyone too cheap to buy a vintage infill.

Adam
Port Angeles, WA

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