So, my wife makes fun of me about my Woodriver 5 1/2. I sent Rob an email back at the beginning of March 2020, asking for his advice on a less expensive hand plane to use on my shooting board. I'd been watching Robs videos for a year or so before this and 100% trusted his advice on tools. On March 17th at 2:32 in the morning, my wife woke me up, screaming. Our house was on fire. We got the kids and the dog, and ran outside. Everyone survived with no physical injuries, but we watched for over 2 hours as everything we owned burned. The next few days are a blur in my memory. I know we went to the bank later that day to get replacement debit cards, and went to the courthouse to get replacement copies of our drivers licenses, and went to the eye doctor to get replacement glasses. I believe we even went and bought shoes that day, but I don't really remember doing that. It just makes sense that we would have done that. We also went to the Post Office to have them hold our mail. We lived in a hotel for almost 2 months, and there wasn't a house for the mail to be delivered to, so it was just easier to pick up the mail from the post office. After the insurance company finished with our claim, we had a new double wide delivered and set up. We had the post office start delivering our mail again. This is when I had a surprise. Rob, instead of advising me on which cheap plane to buy and restore, had sent me a Woodriver 5 1/2 plane. Look, I'm a Man. I was born and raised in South Alabama by a single mom that beat into me the fact that Men don't cry. Men don't show emotion, right? That's how I was raised. I opened that box, and I'm kind of ashamed to say, I cried. First, because this guy doesn't know me at all, and second because he had sent the plane before the fire, and third because this was the nicest plane I had ever held. So, back to the whole "my wife makes fun of me" statement... I have made a "go bag" for all of us that sits at the foot of all of our beds. Each bag has stuff like Eyeglasses, extra prescription medications, clothes, shoes, phone chargers and the like. My sons has a Nintendo Switch. My wifes has makeup. I have no idea what extra stuff my daughter has because she's 19, and I Don't want to know. My Go Bag has my Woodriver 5 1/2 plane in it. Every time I use it (almost every day), I take it out of my bag and bring it to the shop. Every day, it gets cleaned and put back in my bag. I never understood when someone talked about having a "prized possession". I understand it now. Its more than just a nice plane, it's the thought that a really good person, someone that doesn't even know me or my life story, took time out of their day to do something nice for someone else. Rob deserves to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in my opinion
So sorry about the fire but everyone is OK and that is all that matters..so here is what you do. Tell your wife you need an extra Go bag for family valuables and then you can add the shooting board and some future tools!!!
I think you might be exaggerating the difficulty of narrowing the mouth of the old Baileys. It's typically no more than a minute or two to do. I rarely set up a plane mouth more than a couple of times a year. My smoothing plane I keep tight. My jacks and jointers less so. Honestly, if I spend ten minutes in a year adjusting my plane mouths, I would be very surprised. This isn't to say that the Bedrock design isn't a better design for this, but I don't think that this should be a dealbreaker between a Bailey and a Bedrock.
Good show. I never polish or refurb planes other than than sharpening the blades and flattening the soles. The patina is the history of the tool and it has value to me. So I rub them with some antique wax and leave them looking old.
I missed the show, out “trunk or treating” with the kids. Thanks for answering my questions though, and the hockey jerseys are awesome. Thanks to Ken for sporting my name tonight. Yes the rank isn’t current, but it does reflect where I was at in my career when I had some of my most impactful EOD experiences (Staff Sergeant, E-5). I was recently promoted to Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) and I’m meeting lots of guys in middle Georgia that I’m introducing to the woodworking world through the Cosman path. Great episode and the jerseys were an awesome touch. It was a cool surprise to see my name honored on Ken’s back. I got your back Ken, I got all ya’lls backs 😉
Awesome live! Angie and I watched today! Almost finished packaging the 9 cases of T-shirts. Enjoyed Ken’s story about his father in law. Another amazing veteran! ❤️ Thank you everyone! We’re proud to be part of the Purple Heart Project!
Rob, the work you are doing is so inspiring -- and that's not even counting the skills you share and your interaction with viewers on your channel. Thank you for using your platform to give civilians the opportunity to directly support Vets through the PHP. Thank you and the entire network involved in producing the shirts. It really is a great way to raise awareness among the military community and it serves as a great conversation starter. Like many others, I started chopping onions when Herman was presented his Bronze Star. The administrative process in and after Servicemembers' military service can be grueling and intimidating, trying to provide sufficient evidence for the award qualifications. It feels like a race against time to ensure our older Vets get their due recognition and honors while they are still with us as Surviving WWII Vets. Woodworking has been a lifesaver for me. I took one woodshop class as an elective in sixth grade, but I wasn't active in the hobby through high school and my time serving on active duty as an Arabic Linguist. A bit less than two decades later, I am now a Staff Sergeant about to be medically retired from the Army. Every time I click "checkout" on a cart I've loaded up with tools, I know my GI Bill stipend is being stretched to the limit after rent and bills, but it's always worth it to me. When I am going through periods of high anxiety or other dark PTSD episodes, woodworking has become my outlet and my refuge. I turn on music or an audiobook and I can get lost in a project, check out from reality for a while, and wait for the storm to pass. I'm slowly building my skill set and my tool cabinet inventory -- trying to do it the right way by waiting until I can afford the quality tools over the urge to pull the trigger on a cheaper and more convenient option. Anyway -- thanks for all you do!! PS: I'm considering getting a dead cat sweater for the special woman in my life... me!
Ran out today a picked up a Woodriver 5 1/2. 20 minutes of prep and I am getting even shavings .001 to hunking off wood. Was getting frustrated with the old Stanley’s. But Rob’s sharpening technique with the thicker blade was like magic. Razzle Dazzle!!!!
To remove rust only, not patina, use a brass brush or fine steel wool. Vinegar on a rag may work but then you’d want to neutralize the acid with warm water + baking soda. When cleaning metal it is good habit to oil or wax immediately after drying it because clean steel wants to rust since it has zero oils protecting it.
Sanding something like a tote: save your hands and buy a $10 flap wheel to run in your press or drill. You still have to do coarse sanding but it takes a 150 grit to a high polish all in one go. I’ve had best luck with the ones with the scotch brite layers between layers of sandpaper. Used to be sold at the local hardware stores as a “paint stripper” (that it doesn’t do...). They only work at high rpm, use moderate pressure, and as with a buffing wheel or stationary belt sander, you have to feed mindfully to avoid it grabbing the work. Don’t buy the coarse grit ones they don’t work.
They are also the best tool by miles I’ve found for softening spiky Birdseye live edges. Knock off the highest most robust points with a knife so they don’t destroy the wheel. Then go to town. Rounds them over and polishes at the same time.
I'm getting the Wood River 5 1/2 for my next plane. I love my old Stanley's and I've done my best to restore them. They work fine, but they have limitations in comparison to my friends Lie - Neilson, and yes the difference is striking. Considering the price I paid at the swap meet to get me started in hand tool work, my Stanley's are sufficient but not superior. Bottom line - the Stanley's work but not as good as the newer technology incorporated in hand planes. If we could ask any craftsman from one hundred years ago which plane he would prefer now, he would certainly pick the new stuff.
And yet, at least one craftsmen from 50 years ago consistently picks old Stanleys. There's a degree of "blaming to tool" going on - just like sharpening a blade to 16,000 grit: gives you an edge which lasts two strokes.
Hi Rob, I live in Flanders (Belgium) where the old Stanley planes are still difficult to find. The new Stanley's that you can still buy here are, in my opinion, junk. So I have the choice between the really expensive (Lie Nielsen, Veritas, ...) and the middle class (WoodRiver, ...). Based on what I see you doing with your Woodriver, I'm definitely going for the middle class. However, I still have doubts between a Jack n ° 5 and n ° 5 1/2. You usually use the 5 1/2, but the n ° 5 is much less good when using e.g. a shootboard like the 5 1/2.
Actually a 5 or 5-1/2 will both work. I definitely prefer the 5-1/2 over the 5 because its a bit heaver, making it better for the shooting board. And when planing takes a wider cut
The scottish planes were the first planes to finish a board and they predate every current brands. Back then they already knew that tight mouth and mass were key to a nice finish on tricky grain. I experimented with a few and agree with you, thick iron make the difference not the chip breaker. I have a question though, are woodriver planes made in Quangsheng ? They realy look like my 5 1/2.
I love the shows you do, but never manage to catch them live. Two years ago I purchased a Bench Dog - 4 1/2, 5 1/2 and 7 from Rockler. These planes were made in India. Do you know how they compare to the Woodcraft planes, and do you know if your star adjuster knob would fit any of them?
Great show. Sorry to have missed it live. Can I get added to the list about the "seconds" saws? I'm already subscribed to the newsletter, but I definitely want to hear about those as well.
I have my grandpa's tool chest. He and my great-grandfather managed a lumberyard from the 1890's to the 1940's. It's full of handsaws, files, and a Standley 2C and Stanley 4. After watching this, I've decided I'm only cleaning them up for display instead of trying to recondition them for use.
Very knowledgeable ,helpful man . he's a goodhearted man.He is right it really is a big deal to remember what these boys did . My own grandfather was only 14 1/2 when he was in the Battle of the Somme in WW1.Ken said he didn't know why they let his relative join at 17 yrs and 9mths . Well ,the government NEEDED troops . Anyone who could carry a rifle . Just a warm body in other words . there is no reason for what people do . IT"S WAR Ken.
So, my wife makes fun of me about my Woodriver 5 1/2. I sent Rob an email back at the beginning of March 2020, asking for his advice on a less expensive hand plane to use on my shooting board. I'd been watching Robs videos for a year or so before this and 100% trusted his advice on tools.
On March 17th at 2:32 in the morning, my wife woke me up, screaming. Our house was on fire. We got the kids and the dog, and ran outside. Everyone survived with no physical injuries, but we watched for over 2 hours as everything we owned burned.
The next few days are a blur in my memory. I know we went to the bank later that day to get replacement debit cards, and went to the courthouse to get replacement copies of our drivers licenses, and went to the eye doctor to get replacement glasses. I believe we even went and bought shoes that day, but I don't really remember doing that. It just makes sense that we would have done that.
We also went to the Post Office to have them hold our mail. We lived in a hotel for almost 2 months, and there wasn't a house for the mail to be delivered to, so it was just easier to pick up the mail from the post office.
After the insurance company finished with our claim, we had a new double wide delivered and set up. We had the post office start delivering our mail again. This is when I had a surprise. Rob, instead of advising me on which cheap plane to buy and restore, had sent me a Woodriver 5 1/2 plane.
Look, I'm a Man. I was born and raised in South Alabama by a single mom that beat into me the fact that Men don't cry. Men don't show emotion, right? That's how I was raised.
I opened that box, and I'm kind of ashamed to say, I cried. First, because this guy doesn't know me at all, and second because he had sent the plane before the fire, and third because this was the nicest plane I had ever held.
So, back to the whole "my wife makes fun of me" statement... I have made a "go bag" for all of us that sits at the foot of all of our beds. Each bag has stuff like Eyeglasses, extra prescription medications, clothes, shoes, phone chargers and the like. My sons has a Nintendo Switch. My wifes has makeup. I have no idea what extra stuff my daughter has because she's 19, and I Don't want to know.
My Go Bag has my Woodriver 5 1/2 plane in it. Every time I use it (almost every day), I take it out of my bag and bring it to the shop. Every day, it gets cleaned and put back in my bag.
I never understood when someone talked about having a "prized possession". I understand it now. Its more than just a nice plane, it's the thought that a really good person, someone that doesn't even know me or my life story, took time out of their day to do something nice for someone else.
Rob deserves to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in my opinion
So sorry about the fire but everyone is OK and that is all that matters..so here is what you do. Tell your wife you need an extra Go bag for family valuables and then you can add the shooting board and some future tools!!!
@@RobCosmanWoodworking oh man, I didn't even think about my shooting board!!!! I'd be lost without it!!
New Go Bag coming up!!!
I think you might be exaggerating the difficulty of narrowing the mouth of the old Baileys. It's typically no more than a minute or two to do. I rarely set up a plane mouth more than a couple of times a year. My smoothing plane I keep tight. My jacks and jointers less so. Honestly, if I spend ten minutes in a year adjusting my plane mouths, I would be very surprised. This isn't to say that the Bedrock design isn't a better design for this, but I don't think that this should be a dealbreaker between a Bailey and a Bedrock.
Good show. I never polish or refurb planes other than than sharpening the blades and flattening the soles. The patina is the history of the tool and it has value to me. So I rub them with some antique wax and leave them looking old.
I missed the show, out “trunk or treating” with the kids. Thanks for answering my questions though, and the hockey jerseys are awesome. Thanks to Ken for sporting my name tonight. Yes the rank isn’t current, but it does reflect where I was at in my career when I had some of my most impactful EOD experiences (Staff Sergeant, E-5). I was recently promoted to Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) and I’m meeting lots of guys in middle Georgia that I’m introducing to the woodworking world through the Cosman path. Great episode and the jerseys were an awesome touch. It was a cool surprise to see my name honored on Ken’s back. I got your back Ken, I got all ya’lls backs 😉
Awesome live! Angie and I watched today! Almost finished packaging the 9 cases of T-shirts. Enjoyed Ken’s story about his father in law. Another amazing veteran! ❤️ Thank you everyone! We’re proud to be part of the Purple Heart Project!
Rob, the work you are doing is so inspiring -- and that's not even counting the skills you share and your interaction with viewers on your channel. Thank you for using your platform to give civilians the opportunity to directly support Vets through the PHP. Thank you and the entire network involved in producing the shirts. It really is a great way to raise awareness among the military community and it serves as a great conversation starter. Like many others, I started chopping onions when Herman was presented his Bronze Star. The administrative process in and after Servicemembers' military service can be grueling and intimidating, trying to provide sufficient evidence for the award qualifications. It feels like a race against time to ensure our older Vets get their due recognition and honors while they are still with us as Surviving WWII Vets.
Woodworking has been a lifesaver for me. I took one woodshop class as an elective in sixth grade, but I wasn't active in the hobby through high school and my time serving on active duty as an Arabic Linguist. A bit less than two decades later, I am now a Staff Sergeant about to be medically retired from the Army. Every time I click "checkout" on a cart I've loaded up with tools, I know my GI Bill stipend is being stretched to the limit after rent and bills, but it's always worth it to me. When I am going through periods of high anxiety or other dark PTSD episodes, woodworking has become my outlet and my refuge. I turn on music or an audiobook and I can get lost in a project, check out from reality for a while, and wait for the storm to pass. I'm slowly building my skill set and my tool cabinet inventory -- trying to do it the right way by waiting until I can afford the quality tools over the urge to pull the trigger on a cheaper and more convenient option. Anyway -- thanks for all you do!!
PS: I'm considering getting a dead cat sweater for the special woman in my life... me!
Ran out today a picked up a Woodriver 5 1/2. 20 minutes of prep and I am getting even shavings .001 to hunking off wood. Was getting frustrated with the old Stanley’s. But Rob’s sharpening technique with the thicker blade was like magic. Razzle Dazzle!!!!
when this man speaks any aspiring craftsmen should be LISTENING..... money cant buy this fella's knwowledge...
Thank you sharing the story of the WWII veteran. We shall never forget.
To remove rust only, not patina, use a brass brush or fine steel wool. Vinegar on a rag may work but then you’d want to neutralize the acid with warm water + baking soda. When cleaning metal it is good habit to oil or wax immediately after drying it because clean steel wants to rust since it has zero oils protecting it.
Sanding something like a tote: save your hands and buy a $10 flap wheel to run in your press or drill. You still have to do coarse sanding but it takes a 150 grit to a high polish all in one go. I’ve had best luck with the ones with the scotch brite layers between layers of sandpaper. Used to be sold at the local hardware stores as a “paint stripper” (that it doesn’t do...). They only work at high rpm, use moderate pressure, and as with a buffing wheel or stationary belt sander, you have to feed mindfully to avoid it grabbing the work. Don’t buy the coarse grit ones they don’t work.
They are also the best tool by miles I’ve found for softening spiky Birdseye live edges. Knock off the highest most robust points with a knife so they don’t destroy the wheel. Then go to town. Rounds them over and polishes at the same time.
Stoked! Just pulled the trigger on a WR 5.5!
Joy on the way!
I'm getting the Wood River 5 1/2 for my next plane. I love my old Stanley's and I've done my best to restore them. They work fine, but they have limitations in comparison to my friends Lie - Neilson, and yes the difference is striking. Considering the price I paid at the swap meet to get me started in hand tool work, my Stanley's are sufficient but not superior. Bottom line - the Stanley's work but not as good as the newer technology incorporated in hand planes. If we could ask any craftsman from one hundred years ago which plane he would prefer now, he would certainly pick the new stuff.
And yet, at least one craftsmen from 50 years ago consistently picks old Stanleys. There's a degree of "blaming to tool" going on - just like sharpening a blade to 16,000 grit: gives you an edge which lasts two strokes.
Love old planes
Missed the live event, just watched the replay. Great show.
Great presentation Rob. Question? What is your method of sharpening mortise chisels?
Good video. Thanks for your advices.
Hi Rob, I live in Flanders (Belgium) where the old Stanley planes are still difficult to find. The new Stanley's that you can still buy here are, in my opinion, junk. So I have the choice between the really expensive (Lie Nielsen, Veritas, ...) and the middle class (WoodRiver, ...). Based on what I see you doing with your Woodriver, I'm definitely going for the middle class. However, I still have doubts between a Jack n ° 5 and n ° 5 1/2. You usually use the 5 1/2, but the n ° 5 is much less good when using e.g. a shootboard like the 5 1/2.
Actually a 5 or 5-1/2 will both work. I definitely prefer the 5-1/2 over the 5 because its a bit heaver, making it better for the shooting board. And when planing takes a wider cut
Sorry I missed the show. Catching up now :)
Can I use an IBC replacement blade in the woodriver V3 planes?
yep, the 1 3/4"
The scottish planes were the first planes to finish a board and they predate every current brands. Back then they already knew that tight mouth and mass were key to a nice finish on tricky grain. I experimented with a few and agree with you, thick iron make the difference not the chip breaker. I have a question though, are woodriver planes made in Quangsheng ? They realy look like my 5 1/2.
Same factory.
@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks. That means the adjustar will fit my plane as well
Off topic question : Do you have any dovetail saw totes forsale?
How about new scraper planes vs old
I love the shows you do, but never manage to catch them live. Two years ago I purchased a Bench Dog - 4 1/2, 5 1/2 and 7 from Rockler. These planes were made in India. Do you know how they compare to the Woodcraft planes, and do you know if your star adjuster knob would fit any of them?
luban planes have the same body as WoodRiver ones?
Great show. Sorry to have missed it live. Can I get added to the list about the "seconds" saws? I'm already subscribed to the newsletter, but I definitely want to hear about those as well.
Go to the website and that product page and add yourself to the saw second list
I have my grandpa's tool chest. He and my great-grandfather managed a lumberyard from the 1890's to the 1940's. It's full of handsaws, files, and a Standley 2C and Stanley 4. After watching this, I've decided I'm only cleaning them up for display instead of trying to recondition them for use.
I'd love to play some puck against Rob. Maybe some time when I visit my cousin in St. John it could be arranged?
Wouldn’t be the first time!
Greetings from the big city of Transfer Pa
when does the draw prize winning end
Great Video. What is the exact name of the sanding-rubber, you used in the beginning?
Sandflex
@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thank you.
Cratex is another name for the same thing. Common for polishing in machine shops.
Huh?! Obviously I'm not keeping up - I thought this was on Saturday nights...
Tonight is Halloween so a night early.
Very knowledgeable ,helpful man . he's a goodhearted man.He is right it really is a big deal to remember what these boys did . My own grandfather was only 14 1/2 when he was in the Battle of the Somme in WW1.Ken said he didn't know why they let his relative join at 17 yrs and 9mths . Well ,the government NEEDED troops . Anyone who could carry a rifle . Just a warm body in other words . there is no reason for what people do . IT"S WAR Ken.
Loja do Brazil
MCPO=Master Chief Petty Officer