How to Make a Poor Man's Spokeshave | Paul Sellers

Wooden spokeshaves are very functional for all manner of shaping and refining of surfaces. Paul shows how to make a basic wooden spokeshave with minimal fuss using basic tools and materials. He covers making and hardening the blade, basic shaping of the body and recessing the blade for a refined cut.
You will need:
O1 Steel: 4” x ¾” x ⅛” or 102 x 19 x 3 mm
Wood: 11” x 1 ½” x ¾” or 280 x 38 x 19 mm
2 Screws: 6 x 5/8" or 3.5 x 16mm
For a more refined body with adjustment screws see the series on Woodworking Masterclasses woodworkingmasterclasses.com/.... The section on making the blade is identical.
For more information on these topics, see paulsellers.com or woodworkingmasterclasses.com

[@alihaggis78]

Tip for filing curves. Instinct tells you to start your stroke flat and angle down as you push forward. This is the opposite of what you should do. If you start flat and tilt down you are dragging each tooth further along the material than needed, meaning that it fills up towards the end of the cut. You'll find your radius always ends up wrong because of this. If you start your cut pointing down and drop your hand through the push you'll end up with a better curve with less work as each tooth is only making a small cut.

[@Ploutvonozec]

I like these videos so much. When Paul say it is poor man's, then it actually is. I it is really inspiring to see (and later use these approaches) what is possible with drill, chisel, hand saw and file. KZbin is full of videos, where poor man's tutorials requires you to have bandsaw, jigsaw with some adjusters and whatever, belt sander, drill press, CNC, space shuttle and revived dinosaur at hand.

[@sphilpot05]

Your comment is golden! And you're right; it's interesting when I come across a title that says "build xyz simple jig" then the first thing I see is a full size planer and bandsaw. SMH

[@jacobacon3219]

The kicker is how these “poor man’s” methods are more reminiscent of the original fabrication for these tools. Nowadays, most people can’t conceive of making things without power tools, and it’s going to get even worse with 3D printing and CNC mills, in the future most people won’t have any idea how to make anything with their own hands or perhaps that it’s even possible.

[@stauffap]

It really helps to look at traditional woodworking videos from time when they didn't have powertools. They were much more creative back then (with their tools), because they had to be. You'll also notice that it's not that difficult to work with hand tools if you use the correct tool for the correct job and if you know how to work with the grain of the wood.

[@DERICKBLAIR4]

And I can never find my damn dinosaur

[@Ploutvonozec]

​@@DERICKBLAIR4 So you miss the most important poor man's tool. No spokeshaves for you until then.

[@therealzilch]

As a musical instrument maker, who has made instruments and tools for over fifty years now (including spokeshaves), thank you. It's great that this knowledge is passed on. cheers from rainy Vienna, Scott

[@JasonBarre]

Paul Sellers video = awesome. Paul Sellers video in 4K = AWESOME.

[@vanessakitty8867]

TY, I just checked and switched the resolution upwards.

[@stuartosborne6263]

If my wife finds out I could make my own tools I’m done for! Thankyou Paul, another great video.

[@coversareus]

Stuart Osborne If you learn how to put a Lee Nielsen logo on your homemade tools, then you can pocket the approved funds for your big tool budget!

[@BeachBoi1000]

Include the labour cost.

[@lanceroark6386]

Imagine if she sold the ones you bought for what you said you paid for them.

[@randolph_s_hoffmanndilem2981]

I just wanted to let you know Paul: I appreciate your videos, the effort, time and experiences that you share moire than you could know! I am an older craftsman and have always been an 'Addict' to learning things my whole life. It is just refreshing to have the ability to get on the internet and answer queries or find ideas/solutions at the click of a mouse. However, without the input from people like you the purposes and benefits to the average person would be minimal at best. You make learning a lot more efficient and practical for me and I am picky about voice, tone and attitude, well you win in all categories so please accept my huge respect and thanks with all sincerity!

[@PoorKidOne]

You say that not needing the fancy machines is part of the poor mans process. If you can achieve the same goal without spending the money on fancy machines than I'd say you're a rich man. Not only do you still have the money you would have spent on machines, you also get the satisfaction of making a great tool with your own hands. Thanks for making these videos so detailed and great. They really are much appreciated.

[@toysoldier46552]

Until you buy the hand planes or the steel stock lol. Both are expensive in my area, even used rusted up junk that needs a lot of tlc is over priced around here.

[@CathieZimmerman]

Anthony E. that's so unfortunate! Where do you live? Here where I am there are people who try to sell junk for a bunch of cash too. I've learned a few tricks in the last year to find the good deals.

[@PoorKidOne]

Anthony E. I agree with that as well. I'm just starting out as a wood worker and I'm broke. But I've found if you get creative you can make things happen. Garage sales, junk shops, antique stores, harbor freight, make your own...

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

absolutely! thats TRUE wealth, not having to depend on businesses selling it to you, but being ready to do your bit for your community by yourself not depending on any thing but your own skill and knowledge.

[@bonnivilleblackcherry9745]

PoorKidOne I bought a Lie Nielsen plane a few yrs ago because every "PRO/MASTER" woodworker on youtube said they were the best. Thats long sold for a purchase of a gun lol. My $10-50 old stanleys from antique stores and yard sales perform just as well or better with after market blades ($35-50 for those). If you don't mind putting in the effort you can buy the steel from somewhere like metal supermarket and make them yourself even cheaper. I have purchased old corrugated stanelys in #3, 4, ,5 . All cost me less than $50 I have a flat sole 7 that I got for $15 at a yard sale and an atkins cabinet scraper for $5. I had a few old marples chisels i bought 20ish yrs ago for $2 a piece but when I needed a "complete" set I bought a set of narex from lee valley. The marples are better but I will admit not by much. The narex will need work if you hate the look of machine marks on your chisels lol. The marples didn't have that. And if you take notice to what paul says about clamps. His are el cheapos. No need to spend a 1/2 yrs worth of car payments on bessy (and the like) clamps. A cheap clamp will put the pressure on your workthat is needed. I hear oh but bessys don't flex. Im thinking if you are putting so much pressure on a clamp that flexing is causing a issue you are putting to much pressure on it. I can squeeze two glued edges together by hand to squeeze out most of the glue. A cheap clamp will do it 10x more than i can by hand. People that spend money on brand name clamps and tools in general are also the suckers that overspend buying an apple phone just to text talk and watch videos but want to say I own an Iphone lol. My phone is a samsung note 3. Got it when they first came out because my note 2 took a swim in the tub lol. Still works fine and its funny when people at work find some funny video on their social media with their Iphones and come running to me because they want to see it on a bigger screen. Then they watch it and a few are saying why doesn't it look so fuzzy like on my phone or a few say how come its not buffering every 10-15 secs (thats your provider) but i say because its not an iphone lol . Anyway when it comes to tools you can buy the tool cheap and upgrade/work on it to make it perform as much as its 2x-3x-4x cost premium tool. Now Lie Nielsen has come up with a marketing scam that scoket chisels are the cats ass. Sure they are if they are for timber framing but not building furniture and chest and boxes. If you are beating on a chisel so hard for small work that you think you need a socket chisel. Nothing you make will turn out well anyway as you need to work on your skills. If you had the patiences you could make a crap load of tools from a trucks leaf spring.

[@axnbjsbdudbydvydubu9355]

the beauty of this channel, everything is done in real time ... thanks master sellers

[@richbuilds_com]

Your straightforward, no panic, no rush approach is perfect. You're one a very small number of youtube educators that get it right. Your years of experience underpin every aspect of the craft, and it shows. Long may you continue sir!

[@curmudgeon1933]

Richard Allsebrook. If you like this approach, Two other You Tube channels I find with a similar laid-back approach are, Mustie1, for mechanical fun, and Pask Makes, who also does woodworking and other craft skills. Enjoy.

[@369dusty]

You always make it look so easy ! After all these years, you are the ultimate professional. Thank you for all your efforts Paul.

[@navret1707]

Paul, your guestemating is more accurate than my measurements. Beautiful workmanship. 👏 👍

[@MRrwmac]

Paul is right when he says you get more satisfaction out of a tool that you have made yourself and also learn other things from making it. In this video we learned about both the spoke shave AND creating a hardened steel cutting edge for our tools. Thank You Paul.

[@buggsy5]

Overall, a great tutorial, as usual. A few suggestions for hardening/tempering blades in the future. 1) You cannot begin to judge the metal temperature by color when in direct sunlight. Do the heat treating in open shade or indoors. 2) The blower was blowing directly on the metal and cooling it - that is why it took so long to heat. Use a lower airflow and direct it at the charcoal under the blade. For an item that small, you probably would not need to bury it in the charcoal, making it easier to retrieve for quenching. 3) Once the blade reaches the proper temperature, it needs to be put into the oil as fast as possible. That small and thin an item will cool very quickly. Leaning it against the side to grab it is begging for uneven hardening. 4) Clean and polish before tempering. You can then judge the temperature by the color of the oxide layer that forms. For the spokeshave, a dark straw color (about 225 degrees C - 440 degrees F) would probably be ideal. It is the approximate temperature used for planer blades.

[@henkie49]

You're right, Paul was blowing it cold; You're right on all your points!

[@Paul.Sellers]

Thanks for all your help and advice.

[@davidrustylouis6818]

buggsy5 - I was thinking the same as I was watching, esp. regarding the hairdryer blowing the heat away from the steel. Still an excellent video & instruction.

[@bryankirk3567]

"buggsy5" knows exactly what he is doing! Cheers mate!

[@rufuscrackle]

Also don't drop it in oil but holding with a piece of wire put in straight into oil to avoid warping, and move side to side so the surface is agitated with the oil.

[@nblythin]

I'm sure Paul already knows this (and just mis-spoke in the video); but after hardening the blade the next process is to "temper" it, not anneal it. Tempering removes a little bit of the hardness / brittleness. Whereas annealing is to take it back to a fully softened state.

[@CemCangir]

1080P and more. Thank you for going the extra mile in quality videography. Craftsmanship is in the details and its no good when you cant see the details, so thanks again. Rather watch this then whats on TV any day!

[@justme-in2jb]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us, it's a pleasure to see such a craftsman in action.

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Brilliant, I always enjoy your videos Paul. Cheers mate.

[@shaunblunden294]

It is allways a good day when i see one of your Videos paul. you are an inspiration to so many including myself. thank you so much.

[@davelester1985]

Watching this helps me understand more about the one I bought that did not work well. This was a really great video. Thank you for taking the time to do it right. Love the longer screw part at the end. Something I would never think of. ( musician here) never worked with wood in school.

[@steliosstavrinides3502]

can wait to see you making the adjustable one Paul... thank you for the education !!!!!!!

[@2S74]

Wow....I love your videos on poor man's tools. Thank you very much for sharing your skills with us Mr Sellers !!!

[@spiderdog762]

How fantastic, the series on making hand tools is a joy to watch!

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

a big warm thanks for providing all these really incredible videos Paul. very VERY appreciated!

[@krypticz_adapt7505]

It's been so long thank god your back Paul brilliant as ever

[@magicrobharv]

Amazing video. Paul Sellers is simply the best !!!

[@kathleenzimmerman8227]

The work of an artful master, as usually delivered. You're the GREATEST!!!

[@MrRackinroll]

Paul Learning is such a great experience. I have been at this a long time building that is. One of the greatest experience of a lifetime . Thank you for this RC

[@ADVJason]

Great Video Paul.... I just got my first spokeshave. An old Stanley. It was so dirty and rusty I took it apart and cleaned it up and got it sharp and now it works like new. I totally agree with learning the tool by building or restoring them. In the past I have always been amazed by people using hand tools like planes etc. Because I didn't understand how they work. When I got my first and started messing with it to get it working I learned how it works as much as how to set it up. Now I need to make one of these.

[@patrickbrett66]

I love using my old wooden spoke shaves but making my own is an awesome idea, thanks Paul, great video as usual.

[@johnbrand2283]

Always a pleasure to watch and learn from a master at his craft.

[@philbranscum8922]

thank you Mr. Sellers, I love the things you had to correct to make it work. that is the crux of education. problem solving your projects. simply the best how to on the tube.

[@josephdolderer6113]

I think the best part about this process is gaining an understanding of the dynamics of how the spokeshave works.

[@scottman-cl4jm]

Thank you Paul I love your lessons I always learn something, I have been a woodworker for 30yrs Im just starting to get back to basic hand tools I really like it.

[@RobinCoomans]

I wanted to make one of these for a long time, so when this video was released I immediately jumped on it and made one. Works great! Today I also put together a video on my channel on making it!

[@julioalmeida4980]

Awesome class!!! Love the way you teach, seems I could make one of those tools right now!!! Thanks for inspiring us!

[@lujanjd]

This is really neat, I figured out how to do this on my own a few months ago because I needed a spoke shave. It's great seeing the other things done to make it and tune it to work nicely! I have the first one I made set up for a thick cut and another set up for a fine cut. I should make a few more and try what's here out. Very nice video, I really enjoy watching your stuff

[@timfowler4642]

You’re brilliant with the simple things. Thanks Paul!

[@kurtkurt3626]

Thank you for this video, Yesterday I had the idea for making a spokeshave. Thank you very much!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Beautiful tool

[@Solid_Jackson]

Love your work Paul But imagine going on a country walk, maybe a picnic basket with you, trotting along lush green walkways… And to your shock, stood stoically, there’s a bearded man with a huge red glove, hair-drying an empty BBQ while talking to himself 😂😂

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Cheers Paul, another very well presented video that you not only learn from it but enjoy learning from it..

[@mmd1957]

Thank you for another interesting and informative video, much appreciated!

[@MarkNiceyard]

Oh wow! Making your tools for making things is a kind of deeper reality than just making things. It feels like being really on top of the process.

[@matthewmarting3623]

Thank you for encouraging metalwork among woodworkers. I'm a woodworker turned metalworker and it was very imposing to me before I'd ever put a file to steel. But really its as easy or easier than woodworking, just more labor intensive (with hand tools). Even hardening and tempering the steel is easily within the grasp of anyone with a pair of pliers, bricks, a hair dryer and an oven.

[@Kikilang60]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@randallshular5362]

That was extremely informative. I learned a quite a few good techniques. Thank you for sharing.

[@rocks4ever1]

You're simply Amazing, Please keep sharing your wisdom and massive master Intellect of woodworking, I proud to be your student! After almost 35 years, I find myself back in shop class.

[@jackreeves3001]

You sir are totally remarkable. I enjoy your videos so much. Your knowledge is vast. Thank you for sharing!

[@adrianwilliams763]

Fascinating. Appreciate your time and effort put into these. Cheers

[@28gwdavies]

Fantastic!... It's so good to still be able to see a master of his craft. You inspire me with every video, I will now at some point be making a spoke shave, and maybe even making a replacement iron for an old No 4 plane which is currently out of commission due to a very badly pitted iron that has a 'sawtooth' blade edge due to very bad pitting. Thank you very much for your entertaining and inspiring videos.

[@CathieZimmerman]

Paul, almost a year ago I came across the first video of yours I'd ever found. Your videos and obvious love of your craft inspired me to find some simple tools, a few boards and get working on anything and everything I could. I've made SO many mistakes... and have learned so much. I'm proud to say I recently bought my first heirloom quality dovetail and carcass saw. I can't wait. Thank you, thank you for doing these videos!

[@johnstrader9069]

Can you harden the steel in a propane barbecue?

[@MHAUSMAN]

Wow! Great explanation and walk through. Everything was very clear. Great video as well.

[@hein2958]

This is brilliant . Thank you Paul.

[@imortaldeadead]

WoW, you make so simple to fallow and to make one for are self. Thank you so much for this video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@benjiimon]

Smashing video. Thank you Mr Sellers

[@juanfernandezmadrid8559]

Muchas gracias PAUL, muy generoso de su parte !

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

👍Tnx for the mini lesson in blacksmithing, a huge surprise coming from a master craftsmen in everything Wood. Well done Sir

[@horaciobotta612]

Excelent. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Greetings from Uruguay

[@tommymarshall5836]

Thank you Paul your teaching is wonderful I am 81 and learn from your everyday Thank you sir and may God bless you and yours

[@BDM_PT]

Hi there from Portugal, Another great idea, project and video. This will definitely go the to TODO list :D Obrigado(Thanks) Master Paul Sellers, and Team.

[@EllinonEnosis]

Blog das Madeiras I am in love with Madeira....so wonderful and green and diverse weather island.....

[@davidchagelishvili2301]

Brilliant like always Paul,great video.

[@bjorncj]

as always . your teaching is amazing. its just as good as your skills in woodworking, thanks Mr. Paul for, yet another lovely video on the art of woodworking

[@boozoochavis7506]

I always learn so much from Mr. Sellers videos ... even if just what those hard point scribes are for on our combo squares! I rarely if ever use those, and always wondered exactly what they were truly designed for? Hmmm ... I DO learn something new every day. Thank you!!

[@regthebackyardjackofalltrades]

Great lesson on how to harden steel.

[@jakegevorgian]

Thank you master Paul! You're awesome!

[@wendywhales2310]

Always good advice and useful tools to make. Very entertaining video.Keep it up Paul. Thank You.

[@gjacobson76]

When I worked as an electrician, I would use a coat hanger to drill a small hole to locate where I would come out, before drill a bigger hole. If I was off, it was simple enough to put a little filler in the hole and it was not noticeable. I would just clip the hanger off at an angle, approximately 45 degrees. I learned this trick from an older journeyman electrician. Give it a try.

[@billbailey5186]

Paul you are one clever and experienced man well done

[@davidbrooks183]

Thanks for another great video. I look forward to giving this a try.

[@mtmchenry]

Great video. Looking forward to making a spokeshave.

[@wetask]

Very well done. Exactly what I've been looking for . Will build one for shaping/carving necks for my obsessive hobby making acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Thank you.

[@jeffreymuckey2205]

Holy Cow Paul! Thanks So Much. I never knew what the knurled knob on the bottom of my combination square was till just now, Thanks Bud! Sorry a little new to woodworking. but very cool of you to mention that!

[@sufsanin1917]

I love this. I have seen many builds and nobody builds the iron. Even if they do, they uses a lot of things like fancy grinders which I don't own. Thank you very much.

[@AlexanderPlatzBerg]

You are a REAL MASTER! 🏆🥇👍👏👏👏

[@CheveeDodd]

I think I will make one of these with an old jointer blade. Great idea!

[@dondonaldson1684]

The great thing about this spokeshave is that when you make a second one, you can then use each to shape the handles of the other!

[@bigjon1961]

Wonderful video, I always enjoy making my own tools, gives one a real sense of accomplishment, especially when you get it right!! Your videos and tutorials are so very gratifying, I really appreciate your efforts and knowledge, thanks again!!

[@lucamarialanza7319]

Thank you SO much for your tutorials, they are easy to follow, exaustive and you give metric misurements too!!! In the other side of the pond we are in trouble with the 274/86 uf an inch... ;) Btw the BBQ forging is a GREAT idea (and yummy too).

[@timmynormand4818]

I have been learning so much from watching your channel over the years an just wanted to comment thank you Sir

[@ronhart8857]

Excellent tool for many uses!

[@abettermousetrap]

A great project. Fantastic video.

[@johnjensen5540]

Absolutely amazing!

[@MMOGood2Go]

I made a spokeshave a few weeks ago, and couldn't figure out why it was taking so deep of cuts, but this helped me out. Thank you!

[@tonywwp]

Quite informative Mr Sellers.

[@jackmorgan1052]

Very well done Sir!

[@erniehenshaw4161]

Excellent work as usual.

[@CaliToys]

Very good video, the quality is very good too, bravo

[@rakentrail]

For those of us with old eyes color in the ends of the steel with a sharpie before scratching in your marks! Much easier to see your lines!

[@vicentegonzaleztorres5316]

Chingon,simplemente.gracias por compartir.saludos desde León Guanajuato México 🙏

[@coreygrua3271]

What a delightful privilege to be a fly on Paul Sellers’ wall.

[@chetanpanchal5517]

A few people who may be known to such a great skill , make their own tools as they wish. Great video like too much ❤️❤️ Thanks

[@bobcole9274]

master woodworker and a blacksmith ,, great job

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Paul . such great info

[@richardgarrow9260]

Hi Paul, that was a great video. I learned so much from it thank you. I love your book as well.

[@clarkfreese8843]

I really appreciate this. A great video.

[@randynewtonsr9659]

Love the video sir, well done as usual!👍🙂

[@robertbrown3927]

worth while watch. Thank you

[@christianwitness]

I am going to try this. Thank you for showing us and a great "talking" explanation...

[@davidleeson8088]

Superb Paul toome back 50 years

[@stevenmaduri917]

Always enjoy watching your videos. P.S. I now tell my wife that things are "dead flat" at the most random times.