A Step toward Freedom

My attempts to keep an inexpensive, smaller (and unplugged) tool collection has resulted in some frequent stumbling as I'd reach points in projects where I'd usually flip on the circular saw or router. I've learned to cope with an unplugged shop by adjusting my designs to suit the tools available, but there was one joint I was not willing to go without: grooves. In making doors and drawers a rabbeted panel was just too much compromise to bear.

I stumbled around the Internet and used tool stores in the Bay Area unable to find a grooving plane that met my needs and my budget. About two weeks ago I got the idea to grind out the middle of a block plane blade and create a two-fanged grooving plane. The result is below, and it works
amazingly well.


The design is a basic Krenov-style lamination with the bottom shaped to match the plane blade's "teeth". I made two "teeth" thinking I'd always be able to plane with the grain, but this was an unnecessary feature: tear out is minimal when cutting a groove against the grain. I think I'll grind one of the teeth down to 1/8" for smaller grooves, but for now I'm just looking forward to using my new tool.

One last thing, chip clearance is flawless. No need for a side escapement cut.

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Location:22nd St,San Francisco,United States