Thank You. I've been wood worker for many years but never used planes because the ones I had never worked so I worked around them. They were given to me and thanks for your video I found that all the blades were in upside down. they now work. Looking for your video " how to sharping your blade."
This was a quality presentation that third level woodwork instructors, twice your age and experience, could only dream of giving. Very informative and interesting. 👍👍
@@stevendavanna Certainly was useful to me, personally. This reply was more a commentary on the lack of time and professionalism that modern instructors have, in general. Additionally, technology has moved on, and humanity looks over the horizon rather than in their backyard. For better or worse. So lesson plans for hand planers are no doubt seen as archaic.
You saved me so much headache. Doing trim work and using a Jorgensen no 4 plane for the first time and this video was exactly what I needed to assemble correctly. Thank you!
You did such a great job in this video, it was so helpful to watch and learn from you. I've been watching your videos for many years and you've become an excellent, clear, effective teacher -- on top of being a skilled woodworker. Good jokes, too. Thanks for your great work.
The first half of the ruclips.net/user/postUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.
Finally someone showed how to configure the planes, not just "because that's how it's done" but with a very clear explanation of "why it should be done that way"!!! A colossal difference... Guided by the knowledge from this video, I made all the settings in literally three minutes. And you know what? It really works perfectly!!! THX Matt.
Excellent! It's good to see you making tutorials again! I'm 74, and my eyesight is shot, so that trick with the scrap-wood is just what I needed. I gained a lot more, besides, so I'll be less wary of using my planes in future. Keep up the good work. Your presentation skills are superb! And I loved the intro, too :-) P.S. I would have loved a bit more information on the low angle jack-plane, because I have one...
Matt thanks SO MUCH for the explanation on backlash! I realized the loose movement was that the knob thing was moving up and down but not realized that it needs to push the blade down! Hands down the best video on plane set up. In the world.
The backlash can be improved by the plane manufacturers simply by employing tighter clearances on the mating parts. On the depth adjustment there obviously has to some clearance between the radius on the operating lever where it engages the the thumbscrew. The same can be said about the tapped hole the thumbscrew goes into and the threads in the tapped hole. Also the boss on the lever that rocks the blade and chip breaker. The slot and the boss could be made to tighter clearances. A note here. Tighter tolerances does not necessarily mean that the fit is tighter. There are whole tables of tolerances and fits in the ISO, DIN, SAE and other engineering systems.
As many videos I've seen explaining hand planes, this is the only one I've ever seen talking about backlash. I know the thrust wheel in my plane was loose when I switched direction, but I thought it was just because mine are lower quality. Thank you so much for explaining this!
Glad I saw this comment. Was just gonna skim through this video thinking that I know all there is to know about setting up a plane. Now I’ve learned more.
Came here to say the same thing. Matt does a great job explaining thoroughly and concisely. He also points out how common mistakes are made and the simple process to prevent those errors. Obsoletely love and appreciate all his videos!
Yes but it wasn't technically entirely accurate. That yoke slop has nothing to do with thread backlash. There's really two things going on there. Explaining that could lead to more confusion though.
Great tips and educational! I’ve never come across a video that explains this so well and gives a great understanding of a hand plane. Such useful knowledge and info for a novice hand tool woodworker like me. Cheers!!
Talking about the depth of cut at 16:38 was just what I needed to hear - explained in the right way. When you add some of my "trying to get better with hand tools" with a dash of "lifelong impatience" you'll find me ending up cranking on the wheel wondering where my shavings are at. Nice one Matt!
Thank you Matt, you are a treasure of knowledge! And though these are rerecordings i dont mind at all! Your old vids were really good, though the new ones are miles better, even though i didnt think it was possible! Just keep em coming!
I've been around this stuff for 45 years (Dad is still turning pieces at 80). This, by far, is the best information about setting a plane up that I've ever seen. I learned quite a bit. Thanks!
Love the "distracted boyfriend meme" during the intro! HA HA HA!!! Great tutorial - just what I needed for my handplane. It was very informative! Thank you for all of the tips!
Nice video Matt. BTW catching a case of old is not great, eye site goes, getting out of bed hurts getting into bed hurts it is all fun. However so much better than the alternative 😉
Hey Matt, love your content as I've grown up in my dad's workshop myself. Was wondering what your opinion is on wood planes (in Germany more common) The type I am referring to is a "Reformputzhobel" which is a smoothing plane made of wood. Would like to know advantages and disadvantages between the common Stanley style plane and the German wooden styled one. Might be a interesting tool duel.
No matter how long or how far I go, Matt Estlea is the man to see and listen to, when you want to learn something about woodworking. I will forever be thankful to this precious RUclips channel and to Matt Estlea!
Yes! Love seeing you upload! I like seeing other woodworkers around my age and not letting this trade/hobby die! Learning craftsmanship makes you appreciate things so much more even outside of woodworking! Really can’t find too many things that can keep me calm and lower my anxiety like woodworking! (Ps I know I’m young and have nothing to stress about, but I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety so not too many things help me zone out and let things go for a second) Thanks for the uploads Mat, your video production and editing is progressing like crazy!
Your teaching style is the perfect balance of depth and brevity and holds attention like a casual conversation, fantastic. Looking forward to exploring the rest of your channel. Cheers.
Thank you! I have had a plane with a sharp blade, and plenty of sharp chisels for a while and I’ve never been able to make the plane do what I wanted. This video finally got my plane calibrated how it should be and now the thing is a joy to use. I need more planes now, it’s so fun! Thanks, Matt!
Backlash in the wider sense is the slop in threads. There's a certain amount of rotation before a nut will move on a thread. Which you're certainly going to get with a plane depth adjusting wheel. The yoke being sloppy in the cap iron is something else again. But I can see how separating all of that could confuse folks. Beyond the mandolin method of checking iron angle you can do the side to side on the work method too. Where you plane with the plane way over on each side and see how the cuts are. It's all downhill from the mid 20s Matt. Have a nice slide.
This is by far THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE explanation of hand plane setup and all the implications of poor setup. Excellently done, Matt. I wish this video was around when I first started using a hand plane - would have saved me a lot of head scratching and disassembling/reassembling.
Someone showed me a different way to put a camber on a plane blade. It was much harder, and clearly out of my skill range. So, I never did it. Thanks Matt. At my old job, I had been doing it for few years (Five years). That made me a veteran. When I ate lunch, everyone wanted talke to me. I never noticed it, until it was pointed out. People who were ten, or fifteen years older then me asked for advise. Mostly, I think they wanted to hear from someone who had been there, and back. I would say, "Don't worry about guns. Mostly they won't shoot you, but a large caliber going off in small room will ruin your hearing. So carry disposible ear plugs in you front shirt pocket." That's just common sense, but it beats learning it for yourself. That's what your channel is like. Not everyone does this stuff everyday. You help a lot.
This is absolutely the best explanation on how to set up a hand plane I've seen. The backlash section is a game changer for me. I knew it existed too but didn't know the yoke had to support the blade at all times. Thanks so much Matt. Cheers.
This video was just brilliant. Thank you, Matt. I had my bevel upside down, my yoke was incorrectly positioned, and I didn't know a thing about backlash until I watched this. No wonder my planing was junk. Cheers!!
Thank you very much. That's the best explanation of setting up a hand plane I've seen, yet. Just beginning to use a hand plane, and I appreciate you taking the time to explain not only the "how", but the "why".
Absolutely brilliant video mate. I've been looking for a run down that goes through the anatomy and setup just like you did for weeks. So happy I came across it. Thank you very much. Subbing and hitting that bell!
"Man, is this what it's like to be old?" No, Matt, but it's the beginning. A few steps from now, in your mid-40s, you might find yourself watching someone in their mid-20s showing people how to do a thing and being pleasantly surprised that this young whippersnapper actually knows his shit... That's the true beginning of old. It's the "well in MY day" phase, after the "back in the day" remembrance period, which you'll be entering soon. So that means this is YOUR "back in the day". Enjoy it, because this is the time you'll wish you could return to. Thanks for surprising an old-but-not-quite-OLD-old woman with your whippersnapper knowledge. Glad to see the next generation or two aren't completely lost.
Ive been so confused by my plane for ages, couldnt get shavings no matter how sharp i got it. Well i found out what was wrong. The iron was installed upside down, so the chipbreaker was on the side with the bevel. When i noticed yours was the other way, i turned mine the correct way (it came out of the box the wrong way) and hopefully now it'll cut 😅
Hi Matt Nice work here. Two things: 1. If I'm still around when you're 50, I'm going to play this back to you and your then-degraded eyesight, and vengeance will be mine! :) 2. Here's an actual question/mystery I'm hoping you can answer. If i take a full length shaving, on the side grain of a work piece that's 24" long, my shaving -when fully stretched out, will be roughly 20" long. And yes, i am sure my shaving is capturing the entire length of the work piece. I wrote on it in pencil to verify. So how does the shaving magically become shorter than the piece it came off of? Thanks....
This was a incredibly well thought out and executed video... Commanding knowledge of Hand Plane setup... Really helped me make sense of the process and the back lash explanation was brilliant.... This is my vote for the best Hand Plane setup video on RUclips...
Possibly,probably THE BEST instructional video I’ve EVER seen! (OK there are a couple of contenders but o totally different topics). So, let’s get this right: Planes in the backdrop -or was it back off.. back lash .. oh, Doh is me!
I've got some good blades and I keep 'em sharp and there are days when I'm hand planing and everything works. It's a blissful joy. But there are other days (far too many) where that planing joy is replaced by....how do I put it....well, kinda like chewing on a mouthful of gravel. After watching this video, I believe the ratio trends way up for blissful days. Thanx a ton Matt
Matt. First time coming across your channel. I was looking for a good how to video for hand planer. Your presentation is by far the best explanation I've seen. Thank YOU!
Recently I started using an old Record smoothing plane and was not aware of the backlash issue, so I was fighting with the thrust weel ineffectively. Also I did not understand why the thrust wheel was so hard to rotate, so now I now I can use the screw to set the tension... This is the best video on setting up the planes that I have seen, thank you so much!
What it’s like to be old is: “Now where is my plane? Oh, it’s in my hand. Now where am I? Oh, I’m in my kitchen. Now why am I in my kitchen? No idea, may as well have a snack.” “Now what was I doing again?”
What a fabulous, informative video!! I am refurbishing my late father's two planes and found your video-s "must-see". Question: Now that I have the smaller plane cleaned up, what do you recommend to curtail rust? My tools are kept in an un-heated garage and corrosion is a constant problem. I've used motor oil, 3-in1 oil and WD-40 so far. None seems to help with rust and ALL attract dirt and dust. Thoughts?
Great video, knowledgeable and provided some interesting information about backlash that I never would have known. The setup instructions were clear and really set me up for success. Thanks for the helpful tips!
Matt -- an absolutely excellent video, comprehensive, well-explained, well shot. Thank you for this excellent content. I was struggling with my own bench plane and now I know exactly what to do.
Fabulously useful, super clear, totally logical and easy to follow. Been meaning to look for this very specific info for ages. Glad youtube engineered its way to me 😅 I kept lots of planes belonging to my dad, but need to give them a bit of TLC before i can use them for my diy projects. He had taught me to use them when i saw little, but not how to adjust them. Now i know how 😍 Thank you so much!
Great video... Just what I need. I bought a couple of old stanley planes to refurbish at the start of lockdown (I'm totally new to woodwork). I'd seen refurb videos but didn't understand the terminology. Now I understand what they're talking about! Btw the planes are still in garage, untouched. I'm stupidly STILL trying to decide how to sharpen them. Decision paralysis!
Hey Matt! I've inherited a bench plane, block plane, and shoulder plane; all of which are very old and very rusty. Would you be able to a video(s) on restoring rusty planes?
Great job explaining! BTW, my eyes have been where you are now, ummmm, around 50 years ago, in fact I'm down to one now. Take care of yours, I was driving a semi, and just like that I had one eye. Retina separated and they haven't been able to get it back on right.
Civil..... Great teaching video....the only thing is... about getting old....l am old....but from experience... l can tell you for sure , it still beats the option......
Great job explaining backlash but you have no idea about trifocals and age...Yet! 😋🤓 Perhaps in another 45-50 years you'll begin to understand it's not the age, it's the mileage! 🧐
Most excellent instructive video Matt, thank you for taking the time to explain this so well and in such detail… ✅ I am in the process of fettling my first bench plane, this has helped with the final stage of setting it up, which should not be far off… ✅ By the by, you will be ‘old’ soon enough too, make the most of the now. Thanks again from this, still learning, old git… 👍🏻 😜
SOMEONE - PLEASE - do a video of why a 'thin' blade and chip breaker is really, really good... the only reason a 'thick 'modern £100 upgrade for an old Stanley helps you freehand sharpen - as its easier to find the bevel angle on the sharpening Stone. Put a sharp thin blade and chip breaker in any of your planes and see??? Thick blades were cheap originally as they were laminated and Stanley made 'thin' blades as a massive and expensive upgrade... thick modern blades are a marketing ploy :) only benefit is easier sharpening
Bought 5.5 jack plane and small block plane and this is the best explanation I found. In the colonies wouldn't we possibly refer to BACKLASH as slack, play etc,? I checked my jack plane and it was wrong and I reset it and all is well with the world.
So I tried to do the small block of wood trick that you (@mattestlea) showed. Strangely, what I’m seeing with my No. 3 is shaving on the ends of the blade and nothing in the middle. Any suggestions on how to fix that? I’m wondering if I need to sharpen my blade or maybe it’s not square? Cheers.
You’re really good at this I’m usually a critical git on RUclips because I feel lots of crap content is destroying the platform Yours isn’t, it’s well thought out, well presented, well scripted Awesome stuff.
I was looking a ton of video's here on YT, even from experienced channels and instructors, but it is untill now and seeing your instructions that i understand the whole thing of setting up a plane!!! Great way of presenting, thanks a lot😀... I can only confirm all other comments here below ! You have a new subscriber 👌...
Excellent tutorial. All my questions answered in one go. I suppose as a guitarist I should have understood the backlash thing (it’s the same reason that you tune up to note & never down). Thanks for clear & concise explanation. Subscribed!
As a newbie, I assumed the blade was to be showing the bevel, like a chisel. Also who would expect a screw to be on the underside where you can’t adjust it or even get to it? Just weird how planes are set up quite frankly. Seems like it’s all ass about face but I now remember to have these “upside down” , although I have a small plane that actually has the blade bevel up, so yeah just confusing out of the gate…thank you Matt. And how come no one seems to have screwdrivers that are short and wide to fit these planes? Been to many stores, no one has them, seems they are a specialist device, even though planes are sold everywhere, annoying.
Thank you very much for that lucid and highly intelligent video! I have been trying to revive a 20+ year old bench plane, that has been rusting away in a gunny bag for all this while, along with my understanding of the tool... And this video of yours is just what the doctor ordered!!!
I did not believe I needed to watch a video like that, but watched out of curiosity. How wrong was I. Well interesting. Subscribed and watching more. Well presented and explained! Thank you
Must confess that when a plane is cutting well the satisfaction it brings is rewarding and therapeutic. Keep ‘em coming……..great intro by the way👍You know a razor blade held flat to the base and slid up to corner of plane blade can be useful too. If it meets solid resistance you know the corner is proud of base. Adjust blade penetration until the razor blade doesn’t catch. Check result using the scrap wood tip.
This was super helpful. I had not heard of backlash before. I have experienced this issue but did not realize it was backlash. Thanks for pointing this out. Love your videos
Matt, I’m sure I am repeating myself but you are talking too fast, for me at least. There are zero lingering shots of the plane’s components to give me/viewer a good look at how the bits go together and introducing other types of plane is just confusing. Some of the flypast shots are out of focus? And my eyes and brain can’t track your hands waving around all over the place while holding the plane components. Paul Sellers would never do this. In fact I’m going to meditate now whilst watching one of Paul’s calming videos. Thank you.
So I think you're saying, simply put, to reduce the depth of shaving, you must completely back out the blade and then slowly put it back in. You can't just simply back the blade out a little bit.
Followed these steps, after sharpening (freehand because my cheap Axminster guide was adding a skew to the edge) I have just been jointing snakewood and mahogany. So. Erm. Cheers 👍
Absolutely brilliant explanation on how to set up a plane. Extremely well done! However, being young, you DO talk a little too fast for some of us older guys! We don't hear as fast as we used to! lol :)
I'm having a problem with my planes, they are block planes I have the blade correctly placed I've checked and quadruple checked the breaker and for the life of me cannot get them to shave the wood. They cut small chips on center but keep catching the wood as I go. How do I get it to stop digging in? I think that's the issue is it's digging in and popping up the wood vs shaving it. I made sure the blade was tight and not moving but for the life of Mr I can't get them to shave
Backlash is kind of like tuning guitar strings. You always want to turn the tuners to tune UP to your note. If you go too far (sharp), you don't just tune down a little to the correct note. You tune way further DOWN past the correct note, then tune back UP again, being careful not to go past it again (sharp again). That keeps the tension on the strings correctly.
Thank You. I've been wood worker for many years but never used planes because the ones I had never worked so I worked around them. They were given to me and thanks for your video I found that all the blades were in upside down. they now work. Looking for your video " how to sharping your blade."
This was a quality presentation that third level woodwork instructors, twice your age and experience, could only dream of giving. Very informative and interesting. 👍👍
I agree
To be fair, not sure that woodworking instructors are looking to give half-hour lectures on hand planes.
@@frikyouall more like 1/3 of an hour?
@@frikyouallpersonally, I found the video extremely used
@@stevendavanna Certainly was useful to me, personally. This reply was more a commentary on the lack of time and professionalism that modern instructors have, in general.
Additionally, technology has moved on, and humanity looks over the horizon rather than in their backyard. For better or worse. So lesson plans for hand planers are no doubt seen as archaic.
You saved me so much headache. Doing trim work and using a Jorgensen no 4 plane for the first time and this video was exactly what I needed to assemble correctly. Thank you!
You did such a great job in this video, it was so helpful to watch and learn from you. I've been watching your videos for many years and you've become an excellent, clear, effective teacher -- on top of being a skilled woodworker. Good jokes, too. Thanks for your great work.
Excellent teaching. Every video I have seen of yours leaves me confident of learning and improving my skills. Thank you and well done!
Very well done Matt!
Your content is awesome! Thanks for all you do. I’m learning a ton.
Ah, yes! Vital information that other videos don't mention.
The first half of the ruclips.net/user/postUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.
Finally someone showed how to configure the planes, not just "because that's how it's done" but with a very clear explanation of "why it should be done that way"!!! A colossal difference...
Guided by the knowledge from this video, I made all the settings in literally three minutes. And you know what? It really works perfectly!!! THX Matt.
This is the exact reason I love Matt's vids. Most "setup instructions" just show them doing it, no what or how best to or even why.
Excellent! It's good to see you making tutorials again! I'm 74, and my eyesight is shot, so that trick with the scrap-wood is just what I needed.
I gained a lot more, besides, so I'll be less wary of using my planes in future.
Keep up the good work. Your presentation skills are superb!
And I loved the intro, too :-)
P.S. I would have loved a bit more information on the low angle jack-plane, because I have one...
Matt thanks SO MUCH for the explanation on backlash! I realized the loose movement was that the knob thing was moving up and down but not realized that it needs to push the blade down! Hands down the best video on plane set up. In the world.
The backlash can be improved by the plane manufacturers simply by employing tighter clearances on the mating parts. On the depth adjustment there obviously has to some clearance between the radius on the operating lever where it engages the the thumbscrew. The same can be said about the tapped hole the thumbscrew goes into and the threads in the tapped hole. Also the boss on the lever that rocks the blade and chip breaker. The slot and the boss could be made to tighter clearances. A note here. Tighter tolerances does not necessarily mean that the fit is tighter. There are whole tables of tolerances and fits in the ISO, DIN, SAE and other engineering systems.
I never understood this either!! Thanks Matt!
As many videos I've seen explaining hand planes, this is the only one I've ever seen talking about backlash. I know the thrust wheel in my plane was loose when I switched direction, but I thought it was just because mine are lower quality. Thank you so much for explaining this!
Glad I saw this comment. Was just gonna skim through this video thinking that I know all there is to know about setting up a plane. Now I’ve learned more.
Came here to say the same thing. Matt does a great job explaining thoroughly and concisely. He also points out how common mistakes are made and the simple process to prevent those errors. Obsoletely love and appreciate all his videos!
Same. Thought mine was just because its old. Never seen anyone explain the backlash before.
This saved me a great deal of frustration. Got my plane spot in after watching this video.
What an absolutely brilliant tutorial. I've always been frustrated with the use of my planes and now I know exactly why. Awesome video.
Best description of the importance of backlash ever. Thank you.
Yes but it wasn't technically entirely accurate. That yoke slop has nothing to do with thread backlash. There's really two things going on there. Explaining that could lead to more confusion though.
Great tips and educational! I’ve never come across a video that explains this so well and gives a great understanding of a hand plane. Such useful knowledge and info for a novice hand tool woodworker like me. Cheers!!
Talking about the depth of cut at 16:38 was just what I needed to hear - explained in the right way. When you add some of my "trying to get better with hand tools" with a dash of "lifelong impatience" you'll find me ending up cranking on the wheel wondering where my shavings are at. Nice one Matt!
Excellent, thank you. It’s rare to find someone who can teach so well at a relatively young age.
Thank you Matt, you are a treasure of knowledge! And though these are rerecordings i dont mind at all! Your old vids were really good, though the new ones are miles better, even though i didnt think it was possible! Just keep em coming!
Matt 2.0 the reboot. I also love these, so much detail, from the master.
Great video, Matt. No one has ever explained the concept of backlash to me. This was absolutely great. Thank you so much.
I've been around this stuff for 45 years (Dad is still turning pieces at 80). This, by far, is the best information about setting a plane up that I've ever seen. I learned quite a bit. Thanks!
Something about your videos...Everything just clicks for me! You are an amazing teacher!
By far the BEST handplane set up video i have ever seen.
Ah he completely ignored the frog. But setting the mouth can be fairly involved itself.
Love the "distracted boyfriend meme" during the intro! HA HA HA!!! Great tutorial - just what I needed for my handplane. It was very informative! Thank you for all of the tips!
Nice video Matt.
BTW catching a case of old is not great, eye site goes, getting out of bed hurts getting into bed hurts it is all fun. However so much better than the alternative 😉
Yes Matt, being old is terrifying. Start preparing now.
Taking up backlash is similar to always finishing tuning a guitar string with a tightening adjustment.
Hey Matt, love your content as I've grown up in my dad's workshop myself.
Was wondering what your opinion is on wood planes (in Germany more common)
The type I am referring to is a "Reformputzhobel" which is a smoothing plane made of wood.
Would like to know advantages and disadvantages between the common Stanley style plane and the German wooden styled one.
Might be a interesting tool duel.
No matter how long or how far I go, Matt Estlea is the man to see and listen to, when you want to learn something about woodworking. I will forever be thankful to this precious RUclips channel and to Matt Estlea!
How to handplane a setup
Learned more about planes in this 20 min vid than any I ever watched
Yes! Love seeing you upload! I like seeing other woodworkers around my age and not letting this trade/hobby die! Learning craftsmanship makes you appreciate things so much more even outside of woodworking! Really can’t find too many things that can keep me calm and lower my anxiety like woodworking! (Ps I know I’m young and have nothing to stress about, but I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety so not too many things help me zone out and let things go for a second) Thanks for the uploads Mat, your video production and editing is progressing like crazy!
I don’t understand why i got addicted to your channel bro 😂😂😂
Brilliant video. I'm 70+ and now realise why I've always hated planing and hanging doors to fit ! Never too old to learn, thanks.👍
Your teaching style is the perfect balance of depth and brevity and holds attention like a casual conversation, fantastic. Looking forward to exploring the rest of your channel. Cheers.
Thank you! I have had a plane with a sharp blade, and plenty of sharp chisels for a while and I’ve never been able to make the plane do what I wanted. This video finally got my plane calibrated how it should be and now the thing is a joy to use. I need more planes now, it’s so fun! Thanks, Matt!
This was so helpful, I'm a beginner and I've been planing badly today, now I understand some of where I went wrong! You've a real talent for teaching
75 YR old has learnt so much from your video on sharpening and assembly of a std plane --thankyou !
Backlash in the wider sense is the slop in threads. There's a certain amount of rotation before a nut will move on a thread. Which you're certainly going to get with a plane depth adjusting wheel. The yoke being sloppy in the cap iron is something else again. But I can see how separating all of that could confuse folks. Beyond the mandolin method of checking iron angle you can do the side to side on the work method too. Where you plane with the plane way over on each side and see how the cuts are. It's all downhill from the mid 20s Matt. Have a nice slide.
Great video! I love your sense of humor!
Thank you. I'm a blade sharpener, not a woodworker. This really helped my get my clients tools in better shape.
Exceptionally well done. I hadn't realized the role of backlash so this came as a genuine learning experience. Thank you.
Thanks for the clarity on backlash. Your visual demo made such good sense. I've learned so much watching your videos! Thanks!
This is by far THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE explanation of hand plane setup and all the implications of poor setup. Excellently done, Matt.
I wish this video was around when I first started using a hand plane - would have saved me a lot of head scratching and disassembling/reassembling.
Explaining and correcting for the backlash is the missing ingredient from all other videos. Thanks!
Someone showed me a different way to put a camber on a plane blade. It was much harder, and clearly out of my skill range. So, I never did it. Thanks Matt. At my old job, I had been doing it for few years (Five years). That made me a veteran. When I ate lunch, everyone wanted talke to me. I never noticed it, until it was pointed out. People who were ten, or fifteen years older then me asked for advise. Mostly, I think they wanted to hear from someone who had been there, and back. I would say, "Don't worry about guns. Mostly they won't shoot you, but a large caliber going off in small room will ruin your hearing. So carry disposible ear plugs in you front shirt pocket." That's just common sense, but it beats learning it for yourself. That's what your channel is like. Not everyone does this stuff everyday. You help a lot.
This is absolutely the best explanation on how to set up a hand plane I've seen. The backlash section is a game changer for me. I knew it existed too but didn't know the yoke had to support the blade at all times. Thanks so much Matt. Cheers.
This video was just brilliant. Thank you, Matt. I had my bevel upside down, my yoke was incorrectly positioned, and I didn't know a thing about backlash until I watched this. No wonder my planing was junk. Cheers!!
Thank you very much. That's the best explanation of setting up a hand plane I've seen, yet. Just beginning to use a hand plane, and I appreciate you taking the time to explain not only the "how", but the "why".
Suffice to say, my new small Stanley planer I bought in B&Q recently, bore little resemblence to any of the models shown here!
Absolutely brilliant video mate. I've been looking for a run down that goes through the anatomy and setup just like you did for weeks. So happy I came across it. Thank you very much. Subbing and hitting that bell!
"Man, is this what it's like to be old?"
No, Matt, but it's the beginning. A few steps from now, in your mid-40s, you might find yourself watching someone in their mid-20s showing people how to do a thing and being pleasantly surprised that this young whippersnapper actually knows his shit...
That's the true beginning of old. It's the "well in MY day" phase, after the "back in the day" remembrance period, which you'll be entering soon.
So that means this is YOUR "back in the day". Enjoy it, because this is the time you'll wish you could return to.
Thanks for surprising an old-but-not-quite-OLD-old woman with your whippersnapper knowledge. Glad to see the next generation or two aren't completely lost.
You are a master! Thank you!
Funny that backlash is similar to (in the guitar world) to "tuning up to pitch". Great video, really helpful, no BS, take on how to do this properly.
Ive been so confused by my plane for ages, couldnt get shavings no matter how sharp i got it.
Well i found out what was wrong. The iron was installed upside down, so the chipbreaker was on the side with the bevel. When i noticed yours was the other way, i turned mine the correct way (it came out of the box the wrong way) and hopefully now it'll cut 😅
Hi Matt
Nice work here. Two things:
1. If I'm still around when you're 50, I'm going to play this back to you and your then-degraded eyesight, and vengeance will be mine! :)
2. Here's an actual question/mystery I'm hoping you can answer.
If i take a full length shaving, on the side grain of a work piece that's 24" long, my shaving -when fully stretched out, will be roughly 20" long.
And yes, i am sure my shaving is capturing the entire length of the work piece. I wrote on it in pencil to verify.
So how does the shaving magically become shorter than the piece it came off of?
Thanks....
This was a incredibly well thought out and executed video... Commanding knowledge of Hand Plane setup... Really helped me make sense of the process and the back lash explanation was brilliant.... This is my vote for the best Hand Plane setup video on RUclips...
Possibly,probably THE BEST instructional video I’ve EVER seen! (OK there are a couple of contenders but o totally different topics).
So, let’s get this right: Planes in the backdrop -or was it back off.. back lash .. oh, Doh is me!
I've got some good blades and I keep 'em sharp and there are days when I'm hand planing and everything works. It's a blissful joy. But there are other days (far too many) where that planing joy is replaced by....how do I put it....well, kinda like chewing on a mouthful of gravel. After watching this video, I believe the ratio trends way up for blissful days. Thanx a ton Matt
Matt. First time coming across your channel. I was looking for a good how to video for hand planer. Your presentation is by far the best explanation I've seen. Thank YOU!
Recently I started using an old Record smoothing plane and was not aware of the backlash issue, so I was fighting with the thrust weel ineffectively. Also I did not understand why the thrust wheel was so hard to rotate, so now I now I can use the screw to set the tension... This is the best video on setting up the planes that I have seen, thank you so much!
What it’s like to be old is:
“Now where is my plane? Oh, it’s in my hand. Now where am I? Oh, I’m in my kitchen. Now why am I in my kitchen? No idea, may as well have a snack.”
“Now what was I doing again?”
That was my first and possibly only ever OSB meme I will lay eyes upon.
What a fabulous, informative video!! I am refurbishing my late father's two planes and found your video-s "must-see". Question: Now that I have the smaller plane cleaned up, what do you recommend to curtail rust? My tools are kept in an un-heated garage and corrosion is a constant problem. I've used motor oil, 3-in1 oil and WD-40 so far. None seems to help with rust and ALL attract dirt and dust. Thoughts?
Great video, knowledgeable and provided some interesting information about backlash that I never would have known. The setup instructions were clear and really set me up for success. Thanks for the helpful tips!
Matt -- an absolutely excellent video, comprehensive, well-explained, well shot. Thank you for this excellent content. I was struggling with my own bench plane and now I know exactly what to do.
Bloody brilliant
Fabulously useful, super clear, totally logical and easy to follow.
Been meaning to look for this very specific info for ages. Glad youtube engineered its way to me 😅
I kept lots of planes belonging to my dad, but need to give them a bit of TLC before i can use them for my diy projects.
He had taught me to use them when i saw little, but not how to adjust them.
Now i know how 😍
Thank you so much!
Holy cow...is THAT why it seemed like my smoother would go from taking shavings to not taking shavings? Is THAT what backlash is? THANK YOU!!
Superb training
Great video... Just what I need. I bought a couple of old stanley planes to refurbish at the start of lockdown (I'm totally new to woodwork). I'd seen refurb videos but didn't understand the terminology. Now I understand what they're talking about! Btw the planes are still in garage, untouched. I'm stupidly STILL trying to decide how to sharpen them. Decision paralysis!
Excellent explanation of the backlash. Really appreciate you going through the whys and not just the hows!
I WAS THE 95%! 😂But now i feel almost expert. Greatly informative. Many thanks Matt
Hey Matt! I've inherited a bench plane, block plane, and shoulder plane; all of which are very old and very rusty. Would you be able to a video(s) on restoring rusty planes?
Great job explaining! BTW, my eyes have been where you are now, ummmm, around 50 years ago, in fact I'm down to one now. Take care of yours, I was driving a semi, and just like that I had one eye. Retina separated and they haven't been able to get it back on right.
Civil..... Great teaching video....the only thing is... about getting old....l am old....but from experience... l can tell you for sure , it still beats the option......
Great job explaining backlash but you have no idea about trifocals and age...Yet! 😋🤓 Perhaps in another 45-50 years you'll begin to understand it's not the age, it's the mileage! 🧐
Most excellent instructive video Matt, thank you for taking the time to explain this so well and in such detail… ✅
I am in the process of fettling my first bench plane, this has helped with the final stage of setting it up, which should not be far off… ✅
By the by, you will be ‘old’ soon enough too, make the most of the now. Thanks again from this, still learning, old git… 👍🏻 😜
SOMEONE - PLEASE - do a video of why a 'thin' blade and chip breaker is really, really good... the only reason a 'thick 'modern £100 upgrade for an old Stanley helps you freehand sharpen - as its easier to find the bevel angle on the sharpening Stone. Put a sharp thin blade and chip breaker in any of your planes and see??? Thick blades were cheap originally as they were laminated and Stanley made 'thin' blades as a massive and expensive upgrade... thick modern blades are a marketing ploy :) only benefit is easier sharpening
Bought 5.5 jack plane and small block plane and this is the best explanation I found. In the colonies wouldn't we possibly refer to BACKLASH as slack, play etc,? I checked my jack plane and it was wrong and I reset it and all is well with the world.
So I tried to do the small block of wood trick that you (@mattestlea) showed. Strangely, what I’m seeing with my No. 3 is shaving on the ends of the blade and nothing in the middle. Any suggestions on how to fix that? I’m wondering if I need to sharpen my blade or maybe it’s not square? Cheers.
You’re really good at this
I’m usually a critical git on RUclips because I feel lots of crap content is destroying the platform
Yours isn’t, it’s well thought out, well presented, well scripted
Awesome stuff.
Excellent. Explained so much I never knew and didn’t understand. The backlash explanation alone was very helpdful.
Great video, this is going in my essential reference treasure trove!
I was looking a ton of video's here on YT, even from experienced channels and instructors, but it is untill now and seeing your instructions that i understand the whole thing of setting up a plane!!!
Great way of presenting, thanks a lot😀...
I can only confirm all other comments here below !
You have a new subscriber 👌...
02/18/24@10:00am….Matt, Thank you so very much. Simply excellent presentation. Cheers
Excellent tutorial. All my questions answered in one go. I suppose as a guitarist I should have understood the backlash thing (it’s the same reason that you tune up to note & never down). Thanks for clear & concise explanation.
Subscribed!
Can’t tell you how much I’ve learnt. BTW… 53 yr old here, oi! We have spectacles & magnifying glasses you know!!
As a newbie, I assumed the blade was to be showing the bevel, like a chisel. Also who would expect a screw to be on the underside where you can’t adjust it or even get to it? Just weird how planes are set up quite frankly. Seems like it’s all ass about face but I now remember to have these “upside down” , although I have a small plane that actually has the blade bevel up, so yeah just confusing out of the gate…thank you Matt. And how come no one seems to have screwdrivers that are short and wide to fit these planes? Been to many stores, no one has them, seems they are a specialist device, even though planes are sold everywhere, annoying.
Thank you very much for that lucid and highly intelligent video!
I have been trying to revive a 20+ year old bench plane, that has been rusting away in a gunny bag for all this while, along with my understanding of the tool... And this video of yours is just what the doctor ordered!!!
I did not believe I needed to watch a video like that, but watched out of curiosity. How wrong was I. Well interesting. Subscribed and watching more. Well presented and explained! Thank you
Matt, Thank you very much. When you explained "backlash" that was my ah ha moment. Excellent presentation skill and great sense of humor.
Must confess that when a plane is cutting well the satisfaction it brings is rewarding and therapeutic. Keep ‘em coming……..great intro by the way👍You know a razor blade held flat to the base and slid up to corner of plane blade can be useful too. If it meets solid resistance you know the corner is proud of base. Adjust blade penetration until the razor blade doesn’t catch. Check result using the scrap wood tip.
This was super helpful. I had not heard of backlash before. I have experienced this issue but did not realize it was backlash. Thanks for pointing this out. Love your videos
Matt, I’m sure I am repeating myself but you are talking too fast, for me at least. There are zero lingering shots of the plane’s components to give me/viewer a good look at how the bits go together and introducing other types of plane is just confusing.
Some of the flypast shots are out of focus? And my eyes and brain can’t track your hands waving around all over the place while holding the plane components. Paul Sellers would never do this. In fact I’m going to meditate now whilst watching one of Paul’s calming videos. Thank you.
So I think you're saying, simply put, to reduce the depth of shaving, you must completely back out the blade and then slowly put it back in. You can't just simply back the blade out a little bit.
Followed these steps, after sharpening (freehand because my cheap Axminster guide was adding a skew to the edge)
I have just been jointing snakewood and mahogany. So. Erm. Cheers 👍
Absolutely brilliant explanation on how to set up a plane. Extremely well done! However, being young, you DO talk a little too fast for some of us older guys! We don't hear as fast as we used to! lol :)
I'm having a problem with my planes, they are block planes I have the blade correctly placed I've checked and quadruple checked the breaker and for the life of me cannot get them to shave the wood. They cut small chips on center but keep catching the wood as I go. How do I get it to stop digging in? I think that's the issue is it's digging in and popping up the wood vs shaving it. I made sure the blade was tight and not moving but for the life of Mr I can't get them to shave
Backlash is kind of like tuning guitar strings. You always want to turn the tuners to tune UP to your note. If you go too far (sharp), you don't just tune down a little to the correct note. You tune way further DOWN past the correct note, then tune back UP again, being careful not to go past it again (sharp again). That keeps the tension on the strings correctly.