Building a Block Plane - Cutting its Throat

In the first photo I have marked the throat angles on my core block.  I marked a line at 2 1/4" from the front of the block.  I used a protractor to set my bevel gauge to 65 degrees. Then set the bevel gauge on the 2 1/4" line and marked the angle towards the top-front of the block.  I used my 45 degree square at the 2 1/4"line and marked a line up and toward the back of the block

Throat angles marked

I cut the angles on my bandsaw

Then sanded up to the angled lines. The 45 degree angle is perfect. The are still some bandsaw marks (my bandsaw blade got jammed, during another project, as a result it has a slight wobble in one small section and I didn't compensate enough and the wobble crossed the line)  However I don't think the marks will impact the plane blade so I decided to leave them alone.

The 65 degree angle didn't work out so well on the front block.  The angle is not even across the block.  It's off by 1 mm.  Notice the square line across the top of the front block. However I'm thinking this will not impact the function of the finished block plane.  The plane blade will be held in place against the 45 degree angle on the back block.

 

On the back of the front block I measured up 1/4" from the bottom and marked a line. I sanded the back of the front block (side with the 65 degree angle) square to the bottom of the block.  I didn't take a great photo but if you look closely you can see the result in the photo below.

 

Compost Bin DIY Easy and Cheap

This large compost bin is an easy and cheap DIY project. The compost bin can be used to make leaf mold for your garden. You can buy chicken wire here. (affiliate link)

Building a Block Plane - Sizing the blank

With the glue dry I removed the clamps and measured my walnut block. I need to get the block of wood down to the proper dimensions.  I used my planer to get a smooth side then ran the block through my table saw with the smooth side down.  

After repeated cuts I was able to get the block down to the correct dimensions.  The seam between the boards is not in the center and its not straight in the block but my block is almost square.  May be it would have been easier if I had a jointer but I'm working with what I have.

 

I also have worm or some bug hole in one side of the blank so I think I'll make that the top.

The core blank is 1 9/16" x 1 9/16" x 6" and 

The sides are 1/4" x 1 9/16 x 6".

Building a Block Plane

I've decided to attempt to make a block plane. I've got a copy of John Wilson's "Making Woods Tools" (affiliate link) last year and I have not yet made any tools from the book. The block plane is the first project in the book and is a good place to start according to John. The book seems detailed enough to follow the project and John includes how to make the blade as well.

I plan to post photos as I build the block plane.  

So far I selected the wood and ordered the steel for the blade (affiliate link).  

For the inner core of the plane I selected a piece of walnut.  I did not have a piece large enough 1 17/32" x 1 17/32" x 6" so I glued up a walnut blank.  For the sides I selected a piece a piece of hardwood maple.  The board was left over prefinished maple flooring.  I planed the bottom of the flooring flat and used the bandsaw to resaw the board to just over 1/4" thick.  I then planed the board down to 1/4" thick removing the bandsaw marks.

Walnut blank clamped and waiting for the glue to dry

Maple flooring for the sides prior to being resawn.