How To Restore a Coopers Plane

[@markadams3494]

Ain't it great to finally find a use for that blade set you bought ten years ago and had no idea what you wanted it for? Nice job.

[@johndowning2231]

I first encountered one at Colonial Williamsburg in the coopers shop. It was on its legs, leaning against some support and I asked the cooper what type of plane it was. He said, “A jointer”! Made a lot of sense. It might be a fun project to build one. Thanks for the video!

[@donepearce]

I use something like this for making the ribs for lutes. My version is a 2 x 4 sheet of laminated finish mdf with a hole in the middle that accepts a block plane. I plane the ribs after they have been bent to their final curve on a hot former.

[@articrdog5872]

Yes! Please do a series of Coopering videos very soon!

[@skdutch]

It’s really fun learning about tools I’ve never known about. And what better way to learn about them than watching one get refurbished? I know, I know, refurbishing one myself. But I don’t have a Cooper’s plane so this will have to do.

[@oscar33212]

Great looking coopers plane! My dad and I demonstrated making wooden buckets and vessels at the Ohio State Fair for about 10 years, a story in itself, using a great benefactors tools, as well as a few of our own tools, many of which we made ourselves. The cooper’s plane we used looked just like the one you restored, and when timed up it would definitely remove some wood, but it is scary to hold that 10” piece of wood and run it over a razor sharp iron just fractions of an inch below your fingers.

[@ianpearse4480]

That is very cool.

[@JackFright]

This is really cool. Thanks for sharing the restoration.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Fascinating how things were made before plastic and cheap steel! Fluid proof barrels made mostly with wood is really cool!

[@psecody]

Awesome video, this actually gave me some good guidance to use on some wooden planes that I've acquired that were missing the irons, chip breakers, and the wedges. I have found very little information on wedge design and none of what I've read goes into too much detail on how to make a new wedge for an old plane.

[@makermark67]

Great video. Never seen one in use, can't wait to see how you use it moving forward. Love the restoration. Thanks!

[@VORONM]

A very, very, very interesting tool. I have never seen this before. Thank you, James, for introducing your viewers to the world of hand carpentry tools!

[@SunyJim]

I would be very interested in seeing coopering. Such interesting looking tools for doing that, i've seen them a few times while looking at antiques

[@fundi_mike]

I got an old coopers plane some time back, unfortunetly the woodworms got to it first. I have been planing to recreate/remake it and have a stick of beech air drying for a couple of years now for this project - thank you for the reminder of getting back to it ;-)

[@mikeking7470]

Love the contrast between the beech plane sole and the maple mouth closer, very pretty piece of maple.

[@dhroen]

Yes, please cooper something--whatever would be most fun for you. Thanks.

[@Bargle5]

I'd like to see some coopering.

[@kencarlile1212]

I'm feeling a little inspired to go farther on my wooden plane restoration now! My wedge is pretty beat up, and the mouth is pretty wide... and now I see how to take care of both of those things. Thanks!

[@sdoitla1431]

Looking forward to the coopering process and learning curve details.

[@clydedecker765]

I think the most enviable thing is your inventory of files and rasps that made those adjustments for the plane blade and the wedge.I really want to get a Kana or two and they all require adjusting and finalization of the plane blade, bed, and alignment.

[@anpr5309]

Never even heard of a Cooper's Plane before. More Videos please!

[@thomasgreen8532]

Very cool, I have never even heard of such a thing. I have several wood planes but I really have not done much with them yet. We are in the midst of a move more than 500 miles away. And we are in the midst of a brand new house to move into so most of my shop is in boxes. And will be until mid August.

[@TokyoScarab]

I'm so proud of James! He went the entire video without making a single barrel pun!

[@ericrandall3539]

I was hooping he would chime in, but somehow he was able to stave away. Riveting either way. And uh... bunghole

[@markh5889]

@@ericrandall3539 I am really glad that James didn't bung up the job.

[@rollingstone3017]

Fun stuff, James. You’re about the only one on KZbin that has stuck with hand tools only. Many others have strayed to power tools. Kudos to you 🎊 🎉!!!😅 As a suggestion, woodsmith recently made a planter in the shape of an old barrel. Coopering is involved, but they use a tablesaw. I’d love to see it done with your coopering plane 😊

[@bobhargesheimer3514]

Looking forward to seeing you figure out how it was used back in the day. I'm curious how the legs came into play and the notch in the back was used.

[@jerrybrown1446]

I’m interested to see some coopering. It seems like some complicated geometry. I’ve never seen it done before.

[@RichardMerrill3Hawk]

All new and fun to watch, and no shade on your woodworking, but I LOVED the stalactites on the linseed oil jar lid! They were temporarily stalagmites, but when in place...

[@andrewarcontisr8878]

Coopering seems to be a bit of science and art combined

[@iseriver3982]

If coopering is science then so is making cubes out of paper when you was 5.

[@gamemeister27]

​@@iseriver3982Applied science then

[@iseriver3982]

@@gamemeister27 answering your phone is applied science then.

[@gamemeister27]

@@iseriver3982 Being a hater is your calling damn

[@iseriver3982]

@@gamemeister27 it's not being a hater, it's saying that woodworking isn't the same as science. If you can't enjoy woodworking without having to lie about it, then you're the hater.

[@thesidburgess]

Okay, the D.B Cooper joke at the end was MWUAH! *Chef's kiss*

[@johnitzin9939]

Excellent video, as usual! Now we'll see a white oak barrel in the future, yes? ...then we char it, then we age some spirits! Fun project!

[@Sokane]

I learned something today; thank you! The way the Cooper plane is used seems so similar to the machine jointer table. I'd love to learn more about the history, as well as differences in use between a Cooper plane and a machine jointer table.

[@andrewrhodes496]

That video, sir, was... "PLANE OUTSTANDING!"

[@Solid_Jackson]

This might be your best video, awesome stuff, thank you

[@johnmm]

Fascinating. Looking forward to seeing it used to make something. Thanks

[@ga5743]

You could almost fly that sucker, so cool James. Looking forward to you making a project with it.

[@dorislyons6223]

Brilliant to watch a master craftsman. Soul destroying to know it takes 10 mins to sharpen when it takes me hours.😅

[@mosconirmg]

I would like see James installing this new plane in his workbench Nice job!

[@stevem268]

i had a cast iron cooper's plane in my shop for a while, it belongs to my cousin, he wanted to make it servicable again and we did! it was made in england, i'm guessing 100 plus years ago and weighed 110 pounds

[@turneraw]

I like where this is going haha. I was just thinking the other day how fun it would be to learn how to make barrels.

[@brendanlangord1687]

Definitely looked like a fun project. I can't wait to see what you end up doing with it. Also I loved the dad joke at the end, well played.

[@johnfreiler6017]

Yes! Coop away. I'd love to see you work it out.

[@borjesvensson8661]

Smalltime coopes and bucket makers here in sweden often used such a plane without legs in the front vice of the bench, they also often had a small fence (about 1 cm high) That coopers plane is actually quite small. It is ment to rest on a small barrel or chopping block in the front and on the legs in the back. The really big ones go all the way to the floor

[@jeffhill1380]

I have a coopers plan that is very different than the one you have that is much older than mine. The plane I have is very unique and was made by a member of the PACIFIC NW Tools Collectors. I will take some pictures of mine and send it to you. It has an interesting twist to it by repurposing parts from an old plane. I think you will find this an interesting adaptation. Thanks for this video as I did not know how this plane was used.

[@michaeldoto4673]

Very nice James. I definitely want to see to do some coopering.

[@jlecount]

Really good video. I would definitely enjoy seeing more about you will use this!

[@alessandrosuppini943]

What a great restoration project, you brought it back to its glory and I’m looking forward to seeing more videos about it 👍

[@philaandrew100]

Nice find. I vaugely remember seeing a Cooper many years ago when I was a wee lad using one of those bad boys. The original Jointer Planer😆

[@paco_vazquez]

Uuuuhhh coopering!! Should be in my bucket list!

[@alexandrosmakaronis7339]

Just a tip James, I see in several videos that you strike the first knife cut very hard. The master (Paul Sellers) suggest the first cut to be gently in order not to loose track. Regards

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

it looks like that due to my shakey hands. but if you watch the live videos I am always repeating the mantra of light, medium hard.

[@larryquinn9790]

Great work as always. Every time I watch one of your videos, I always learn something. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@farmerjohn8726]

Great video James!! Winner! Cooper's plane! Who knew? And the sole doesn't have to be flat, but it sure as heck had soul! Absolutely, do some coopering on a decent sized barrel ... bonus if you demonstrate fabrication of the steel bands (presumably not reggae!) ... but the material selection, the calculation of the angles up and down each stave and any jigs or special tools, the dry fitting plus mortised top and bottom ... sounds like several videos and a full course on Channel #2 ... barrels of fun!! Cheers, Farmer John, Ontario, Canada

[@omegaflameZ]

FWIW I'd love to see you do some coopering, or even go interview someone who uses traditional coopering tools and walk us through the process.

[@kcirful]

Great video! Neat to see a project like this that I have never seen anyone else do. Thanks!

[@inclinedplane0192]

Like the ship of Theseus, this one. Could have been titled "How to make a cooper's plane, basically". Fun video!

[@joedance14]

Really interesting video! I have had an large old wooden hand plane, probably a jointer plane, for about thirty years. It does have a wedge. I am looking for an iron and chip breaker; and over the years, the wood has dried some, and a small crack has appeared. I was wondering if I could use really thin epoxy to seal that crack.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yes. I like to use a penetrating epoxy to get down deep into the cracks.

[@joedance14]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Thank-you! I always learn so much from your videos.

[@geneard639]

My great uncle had busy work for me when I visited. I sat on the front porch with a pile of firewood and a plane. My job? Make shavings to use as kindling. I actually miss doing that.

[@threeriversforge1997]

Just like Stavros Gakos would do. Excellent job! Might I suggest adding a touch of pine tar to your linseed oil finish? I think you'll really appreciate the splendor that comes from it.

[@rpower1401]

Great, another tool I need to find and restore that I had previously not know existed...Thanks! lol

[@markh5889]

Very informative video. Thanks. Please keep up the good work.

[@charitiekbyrd1]

Uh oh, he's pushing a coopers plane on us😂😂! Great video, would like to see more. Stay safe and have fun!💯😁

[@TankVgryazi]

Haha, DB Cooper references: the forever wellspring of humor. Also, fun video!

[@Drankoii]

Thanks for the video! That was interesting, and now I know why there is that gap in the wedge.

[@aaronwarner2762]

I'm reading Firefox 2 that I inherited from my dad. There's a fellow who makes butter churns and buckets (watertight of course). He sets up an upside down wooden jointer. Maybe a project perfect for your coopers plane. Can't believe these two things coincided in the last two days?!?! Hey, who couldn't use a spare churn... you know when your first one is tied up? Could use it for an umbrella stand or plant stand.

[@OORAH659]

i would like to see the missing parts added on and what items were made from using this cooper plane in the pass. Pictures with carpenters. That would be nice. You did a relaxing video thanks ... OORAH!!

[@axialmount5571]

That's so cool, i really want to get into plane making and make them all

[@jeffgoodsonwoodworking8627]

It is nice to see the old was demonstrated I do them and the kids love to be a part of it

[@SeanFoushee]

Fantastic restoration. I would love to see you try making a barrel with that monster plane.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

You would think that. and that is common on large crosscut saws but not on panel saws. If there was a handle for it you would see a hole for a bolt, or you would see a notch on the tooth edge for the strap to go around it. also you would still be able to find handles for it. but they don't exist.

[@rangerbaynworkshop]

Never seen one of these before! I'd be very interested in seeing another video of how this works and the advantages of this vs the jointer/planer machine. Thank you!

[@christopherharrison6724]

Wow in the words of crocodile Dundee “call that a plane ,this is a plane” 😂

[@JustJimWillDo]

Roll out the barrel, James. We'll have a barrel of fun.

[@kaige108]

Just when I think I'm good now I know what's, whatl. James shows me how much of a noob I am. Keep up the good work mate.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Wow... very advanced and many steps!

[@chou-fleur-academy]

Great work, very interesting tool.

[@allandevore4098]

Nice, informative video. I'm always impressed. I would like to see videos on use of the plane.

[@jamesperrin3762]

Very timely as I need to remake the wedge for a fire plane.

[@trevorbishop3075]

Love the vid.never seen one. Can,t wait for more.

[@marcbarash6045]

Great video, James!

[@ianbracken7973]

Looking forward to seeing you finish this. I presume you'll be making new legs for this.

[@andrewconnor4429]

A lot more wholesome that watching gangster movie clips before bed! I have been wondering about making a wood plane because i need a number 7... But man i could make something this big some day? Would love to see someone making one from scratch... Wood from down under eh i bet their wood is as wild as their fauna!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Australian wood is incredibly dense. Really difficult to work with. But a lot of fun. I have several videos on making wooden hand planes. The nice thing about a wooden hand plane is you can make it however long you want. If you've seen someone make a smoothie plane then you know how to make a jointer.

[@andrewconnor4429]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Wow Honestly bro sometimes I'm just so amazed by all this stuff I don't realize how codified and advanced this knowledge is already, I'm still too in awe! Even though I'm 3 years in... Thanks man! I've worked with Ipe, Brazilian hardwood of course, how does it compare to working with that stuff? Met a guy this morning in a kijiji deal who is trying to start woodworking, gonna send him your channel say get this in your algorithm!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Ipe is a lot like some of the Australian woods. difficult to work and dulls the tools quickly. I have a video coming up in another month or so with ipe.

[@andrewconnor4429]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Awesome! My gma passed a few months ago, I found my great gpas stash. stanley router planes, spokeshave etc, no one knew. And every time I type a new tool into youtube, your channel comes up first. I have like 10 kinds of saws and so many triangle files, you really helped me there. that makes you pretty grand in my books, stay cool brother

[@markp6062]

Neat!! Like the restoration process! You said you had to tweak it when you first started using it. I'd like to see/know what those tweaks were.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

to get it to fit perfectly you wear it for a bit and feel where the pressure points are. then use a hook knife to scrape it out a bit on those points. then rinse and repeated.

[@jeffspaulding9834]

It'd be interesting to see your take on coopering. I saw a bit of that at Silver Dollar City and it looked to be interesting. My take on coopering would probably involve heavy makeup, boa constrictors, and playing golf.

[@rhpsoregon]

Awesome restoration. I've been looking for one of those for a while. I want to start making barrels for aging my own beer and whisky. If you ever decide to sell the plane, let me know.

[@ianstewart7605]

I'd guess the most useful/simple combination for your first project would be a smallish bucket? Then you could serenade us in the closing credits with "There's a hole in my bucket, Dear Liza" 😂

[@colinellicott9737]

Nice vid - Thx. Never heard of this tool before. Can't imagine how to make barrel staves off it.

[@timothymallon]

Will you be recreating the legs for it as well?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Some point yes.

[@ancjr]

I missed an opportunity to get a coopers plane for myself years ago. Would love to see a video of coopering.

[@trentholmes1]

Great video. That plane would be fun to use.

[@kayura77]

Excellent work!

[@namewithoutdigits]

Cool project, thanks for sharing. Will you still be adding the legs on this tool?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

at some point yes.

[@jonway7845]

Great to see old tools put back to work. you used winding sticks to true up the sole. Instead of making winding sticks, I use a pair of 2 ft aluminum levels. Your thoughts?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

any two sticks with parallel edges will work.

[@dirtylegcraftsman2948]

I’ve always loved coopers planes.

[@rakmaarcg1553]

Would be a pleasure to see some project with that bad boy 😮

[@Anilm3]

Very impressive and great work, although I think it's closer to a rectangular cuboid than a plane...

[@patatje1434]

that's beautiful sir. thanks for this video, very interesting.

[@Franco.Ar.]

A good video on alternatives and geometry behind closing a planes mouth would be good. I did find a lot on restoring, but little on that specific detail. I am working on one and just eyeballing most of it.

[@dalepatton4861]

An upside down plane tends to end in a crash, Good Luck!

[@ianpearse4480]

Very cool. After you make the barrel are you going to make the contents? LOL. Double the enjoyment!

[@jimclark6773]

Nice video. Please do more coopering!

[@AllanMacMillan]

Cool plane, based on the video title, I was expecting some sort of specialist compass plane for planing inside curves. This one is quite different than that apparently, a static sort of jointer (edit: it follows the machine style of work, bringing the work to the tool, like a modern jointer). I'm looking forward to you demonstrating how this one is used.

[@charleslanier1992]

I so want one but I want a I beem with a #8 in the top middle and one on the end to make a long jointer plane for long stock like cabinet face material.

[@stephenclingerman4865]

When I was young and foolish, I wanted to become a cooper. I didn’t. Watching you this plane was great!