How to Set Up a Hand Plane to Get RIDICULOUSLY Thin Shavings - Essential Skills for Woodworking

[@benheinrich4306]

I’m a complete newbie to this entire field, and I’m already obsessed.

[@JonnyBuilds]

Great info! You're the high school shop teacher I never had...

[@katzmosestools]

Mr. Katz-Moses to you sir ;-)

[@denisdionne6143]

Thank you so much, I was that guy that couldn't get the plane to work at all. Since using your sharpening techniques and the plane setup, I love using the plane.

[@KomarProject]

Brother your so right. Nothing better then getting those silkies. Makes me want to go play on my tool wall. Great job dude

[@garyprasad6354]

Thank you. Great simple instructions for a newbie and would be tradies. God bless.

[@caseydurrans521]

Great video! I had no idea I was missing a chip breaker on my plane. I could never figure out why my plane sucked so bad even with a super sharp blade. Thanks!

[@mytubebobbie06h]

Same!

[@nualln]

I mean this in the nicest way, but how do you not have a million subscribers? I hope your channel grows quickly since you have some of the best, most concise, quality woodworking content on KZbin. Keep the videos coming!

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks bud. That means a lot

[@johnpaquette5694]

I couldn't agree more. I actually finished restoring an old stanley no. 5 plane just a few hours ago and you're approach to creeping up on the wood and squaring the blade is really helpful. I was getting pretty decent shavings but I'm going to dial it in now. Just subscribed!

[@rustythecat2163]

Tip to correct a shaving looking like an accordion by adjusting the the chip breaking backward a very slight amount is priceless! Been using hand planes successfully for many years but did not know cause of that type shaving. Thanks, Johnathon.

[@stevenriviere1496]

Jonathan, your video made a heck of a difference in my two Stanley hand planes. I’ve got a #5 that was my great grandfather’s and a #4 that was my stepdad’s grandfather’s...neither have been used in decades. Between your scary sharp video and this plane tuneup video both are making wispy shavings. Can’t thank you enough!

[@MegaSchew]

lord! thank you! I am new to wood working and bought myself a block plane but had little clue on how to get the thing to work correct. Thank you so much for this video.

[@morrieshoob9299]

I am very knew to the plane and found this video about the best I have seen for a beginner.

[@MoichiAnaiNin]

Excellent video with lots of tips I haven't seen on other channels yet. (distance of the chipbreaker, mouth opening, final adjustment for fine shavings) I've just started setting up some used wooden planes, and the details you mentioned also apply to them. Thanks a lot.

[@rextored]

I'm so so grateful to you. A million thanks! It's the first time I've been able to set up a hand plane to actually work; even when I hadn't sharpened the blade yet (just out of the box) I managed to get shavings and plane down some pieces to fit together. I had not taken this cheap Stanley plane out of the box because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it work as it happened to me once before with a cheaper one. I'll get to sharpening the blade now. 👍💪🤘

[@alexander_konig_coaching]

I found an old hand planer from my dad’s shop and I went through all of your videos… omg how helpful!! Great instructions! Now I have a a beautiful hand planer and can have those fine shavings! It really makes woodworking more enjoyable! Thanks again!!! 👍🏻💪🏻👍🏻

[@gthiesfeld]

This video came at a perfect time. I just picked up a used hand plane last week. I've watched several videos, but this one really brought it all together for me.

[@jenmassano2161]

I just bought my first last week and searched on how to adjust it. Went through 3 videos before this one and this one seem to be the best.

[@GeorgeSA5]

Thanks. I learnt a few things here that I didn't about adjusting a hand plane. You've inspired me to take out my hand planes and give them a try.

[@thijs199]

was having some serious issues. but after fiddling around, and after sharpening on a glass plate. I figured out I'd taken that advice of ''a hairs width'' a little bit to seriously, it's more like a 10th of a mm. Now taking that full width shaving is like a dream. Thanks man

[@thijs199]

oh I see now that that is about a hairs width. a thick hair then

[@MrJumpmaster55]

Been looking for this tutorial for a while. Better explained than Rob Cosman.

[@Whatthensayyou]

By 2:51 you already taught me something I never really understood before in a super simple way to understand! I had always stayed away from planes because of their price and not knowing how to set them up.. I am adding a smoothing plane to my cart now!!!! Thanks man!!!

[@katzmosestools]

You got it bud! Let me know how it goes

[@mytubebobbie06h]

This was a great tutorial video. It clarified a whole lot for me as a novice and an aspiring woodworker to be. I appreciate your content.

[@mmmkayok]

I have several hand planes that are in need of love. I haven't even sharpen the blades yet but I adjusted how the chipper is and the Frog just off of this video and with the blades being terrible i've got a thousand times more usability out of the Plains I can't wait until I actually start with sharpening the blades to see the results I'm going to get. This video made me not afraid of trying to touch my antiques because I had no idea what to do with the blades. I could not get them to work before.

[@todd4654]

This series of videos with both the hand planes and chisels being explained is absolutely fantastic. I really enjoy your channel and keep this stuff coming. I’m new to fine woodworking and am a little overwhelmed at all the different tools and which ones I need and in what order. It’s easy to spend a lot of money and not have what you really need. Explaining how to care for them as well as how to properly use them has been great for me to see. Thanks for your work and please give us more of this

[@322doug]

I have no idea what i was doing wrong, but going thru this along with you, when i was done.... fantastic shavings from my crappy craftsman 14"....Thank you!

[@FinnJenkins]

Great video. Thank you. I got a bunch of nice hand planes and have no idea what to do with them. Now I do! Thanks

[@avrumisolaimani8546]

i’m 15 and i learned how to sharpen and adjust a hand plane from you thank you!!😁😁😁

[@randystekly6518]

Great video and oh so helpful. I was struggling with one of my planes and your information on adjusting the frog and also tuning the chip breaker got me over the hump. Now to dial it in even more. Thanks again!

[@rishiramnarace9908]

I just finished trying what you explained and got the same results. I thought the old plane was junk. thank you.

[@thomasstufe1676]

Great video. I never got hand planes to work properly and gave up at some point. I will try again now.

[@friendlypiranha774]

I wish you had taught me this 45 years ago. Thank you. I now understand it. Please, how about a similar video focussing on Japanese hand planes? Thanks a million.

[@psiclops521]

Yeah, nothing like planing wood. Great feeling. I tuned up this 1970s Craftsman No. 4 for smoothing. Bought it off craigslist for $35. I'll match it to any plane you have. No bells or whistles like that Veritas you were showing off. Not even an adjustment screw for the mouth so I had to loosen the frog and then move it by hand and then tighten down. That puppy shaves with the best of them. You don't have to spend a lot on a plane, just practice your sharpening and tune the plane properly like the man said.

[@Caasi67]

My previous system for making adjustments to the lateral blade position was to basically just guess which way to move the lever and then swear a bunch and start all over. The rule of thumb to just go towards the side that's cutting too deep is much better! One of those super simple things that instantly makes you a better woodworker.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha so true

[@DonsWoodies]

I've watched a LOT of these videos and I do know how to setup a plane. Best I've ever done is .00045" thin. BUT, I did not know about the accordion effect is caused by the chipbreaker being too close. It does make sense. That's why I watch videos by various people even if I think I've heard it all. There is always something else to learn. Thank you for putting this together.

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure bud!

[@rjtumble]

"Go until you get wood" is generally good advice, thanks. :)

[@katzmosestools]

Full of innuendo on this one

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Also I am curious about the hair width . Are you talking about a Red hair or one of those curly black ones.

[@brianmartin4259]

Thank you for a video that actually shows all the parts of adjusting a plan. The way you did it, makes it possible to set my plains up correctly.

[@katzmosestools]

I can't wait to see what you create bud

[@johncollins5021]

One of the best and easiest methods of setting up a hand plane. Thanks

[@urbannpa]

Thanks That was by far the most informative setup video....Now I have to sharpen it.

[@poncho6784]

Super helpful video and great teaching skills. Can’t wait to break out my Stanley and save myself what would have been a lot of sanding time! Thanks!

[@ArchangelArchangel-tq3xo]

Hey Jonathon I just want to thank for a great video I have had some old Stanley hand planes that I never used because I didn’t know how to set them up After your video I am all smile as I was using a Stanley 3 for the first time the right way Also used your video on how to sharpen I can not believe how silky smooth I just got on a piece of pine Great video Thank you sir !!!

[@WolfRidgeWoodworking]

What perfect timing! I've had a contractor grade block plane (will upgrade soon) for a little while and never used it. I recently purchased a couple of used Stanley Bailey planes from eBay. A newer no 4 and an older no 5 (appears to be recently restored). I was in the garage just yesterday messing around on a scrap piece of wood. I had no idea what I was doing and I think that I was petting the cat backwards. ha ha . Now I'm ready to properly adjust the planes and use them correctly. Thank you! - Ed

[@katzmosestools]

That's great bud!

[@mikepears8063]

I watched your sharpening video as well. I wanted to first say thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I am at that stage now where I agree I am trying to get my hand plane working and I am going crazy trying to get it done. I have a few cutting boards I am trying to get done before the holidays and was seriously struggling to get my plane configured correctly.

[@duncanvlaar8017]

Just feeling the love for woodworking... you tell your tale with such enthousiasm and passion, makes me wanna work with wood too!

[@mauriceryton]

Great information, just spent time tonight setting up my planes. All are now cutting beautifully. Thank you.

[@ivanilves]

Loved this video! Helped me a lot to fine tune my inexpensive Faithful No 5 jack plane. THANK YOU!!!

[@tedwards7404]

Thank you so much for this video!!!! It makes more sense than any other video.

[@jettkeyser9909]

The best I have seen...Very useful...If something was omitted I cannot think of it...Great teaching/gift

[@katzmosestools]

I truly appreciate it bud

[@paintballbob21]

He probably doesn't need any more publicity, but hybrid woodworking is something that Marc Spagnuolo also espouses. He's worth watching as well. I'm glad these "basic" videos are here because setting up and using a hand plane is hugely intimidating for me. Thanks for publishing.

[@ynotjf]

Wow, .0005” is an impressively thin shaving! I thought I was doing well in the .002” range but now I have a new level of precision to shoot for. Thanks for the video.

[@aumann0452]

I don't think his that was a precise measurement. I mean there are these Japanese planing competitions and the winners often get something about 4-6 Microns. That's as thick as a blood cell. And they measure it with kinda big micronmeters, if he got 5 microns in a few minutes than that's really something to be proud of.

[@laurentiustanea7840]

@@aumann0452 0.0005" is 0.0127 mm which is about 10 microns :)

[@aumann0452]

@@laurentiustanea7840 my bad im used to metric I thought he said milimeters

[@waynemorrison9905]

Great to see that you are giving an answer to a 14 year old future maker , because it sure helped this 70 year old learner.

[@PaulK813]

Wow! Fantastic video. Thank you for this easy to follow guide. I just did this and your sharpening method and pulled a .0025" shaving off a cheap plane that is now cutting beautifully.

[@katzmosestools]

That's awesome bud! Great work!

[@SmallWorkshopGuy]

Rob Cosman gives credit for the "Ruler Trick" to David Charlesworth. I do like the fact that Cosman calls it the best woodworking sharpening tip of the last 100 years (now that is what I call "giving credit!"). Keep these videos coming and looking forward to many cool videos from your new wood workers space (or whatever you call it).

[@AertPietersz]

Came here to say this. David Charlesworth is brilliant and he should get all the credit for his innovations.

[@billqqq]

Great job explaining how all the components relate to the intended use. Very nicely done!

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you my friend!

[@BrassGrain]

very clean explanation, It would be nice to have a follow up video with other types of planes with different mouth adjustment like the Veritas or even wooden planes where you need to manual adjust the blade, to cover all cases.

[@PhilC64]

Another big thumbs up on another well done video! Finally have my No.5 Bailey dialed in and doing what it should.

[@jameshowlet5597]

Very cool! Now I feel ready to set my hand plane =) Thanks for all the useful information!!!

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

I have my #4 dialed in so cherry that it actually adds thickness to the surface I am working.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha

[@chipsterb4946]

Really helpful! Wouldn’t have thought about what you call “backlash” in the adjustments.

[@blackfender100]

Thank you for sharing your skills and experience

[@dkbuilds]

Hey Jonathan! New subscriber here and loving your content. A very quick technical critique is that to measure something as thin as a shaving with a caliper, the only real way to do it is to stack up 10+ shavings, measure the thickness, then divide by ten. Just one shaving is within the uncertainty of the calipers so you can't really get a real measurement. Years of teaching physics lab courses and grading lab reports won't let me keep this comment to myself!!

[@katzmosestools]

Good half life trick Sherlock Ohms ;-)

[@aaronfenwick7704]

Definitely some helpful information here. I had a project I was working on and had the opportunity to play with some of my dads old planes. People kept asking why I didn’t just use a power plane. I tried explaining the joy of getting those beautiful bacon strip shavings. Not everyone gets it though.

[@katzmosestools]

Bacon strip hahahaha

[@cferingacraigferinga]

Thanks for the video, super helpful and well organized.

[@ChristianBrink]

I was a little confused about the grain direction, I couldn't tell what relative face you wanted to plane so it kind of looked like it was the opposite direction. I love this video, especially that you covered backlash! Thanks again for another great video

[@BradsWorkbench]

Carl Brink the best way I tell the difference is the plane one way, then the opposite. You can immediately tell which is the right way to go

[@OlDoubleNickelWoodshop]

When hand planing in most cases. You don't look at the grain on the top where you will be running your plan, instead you look at the side to check your grain direction. I hope this helps.

[@katzmosestools]

@@OlDoubleNickelWoodshop yes I regretted not making that clearer. When I was talking about grain direction I was talking about the face exactly 90 degrees to the left (my left your right) in the video

[@OlDoubleNickelWoodshop]

@@katzmosestools I thought you did a fine job on it. Your work is brilliant.

[@liorgoldenberg3770]

Thanks Jonathan! So helpful. I set up my #4 Stanley and followed the sharpening video- did the paper test- crazy sharp. I still can't get my hand plane to do ANYTHING... Would love some tips- When I push through the wood- it just gets clogged with fibers (NOT shavings) and gets stuck. I then have to take it apart, take out the chip-breaker, clean it, and start over. HELP!

[@tiger6912]

Nice plug for Matt Estlea

[@Canalcoholic]

Matt would probably be the first person to credit Paul Sellers for everything that he knows about setting up planes.

[@bradr.3055]

Very cool video, extremely well done and great info. Thank You!

[@aam50]

Thanks - that;s a brilliant overview of how to set up a plane - I learned a lot and will go and reset all my planes using the tips provided. Thanks for sharing!

[@kellyb7321]

Thank you for this and the sharpening video. I just got my first block plane and it didn't come with any instructions. So once I got it put together and fiddled with it a bit it still wasn't working very well. Then I learned that the blade isn't really usable out of the box and needs to be sharpened. Also there was no explanation about the knobs and how the settings are supposed to work. Turns out I got a cheap plane and even with the mouth adjusted all the way towards the blade the opening is still too big compared to what you said here. So I guess you get what you pay for and I need to invest in some sharpening tools and a higher quality plane. You're absolutely right about this being so frustrating!

[@MrJKellerLewis]

Great video as always! Very informative. I've been subscribed for a long time now. It's funny, when I search a "how to video" I always come across one of yours

[@katzmosestools]

Hahaha we've put out a lot of videos by now. I think I put put almost 90 last year alone. That's more than most I think. Except maybe Stumpy Nubs

[@freudeamfahrenm5]

Nice work!

[@daverthedude1]

Nice Video Katz. I am new to hand planes so find this sort of lesson very helpful.

[@MCarberry89]

Could you explain for to use HVLP spray system and the total boat coating and how to use what coat you would use.

[@gregroberts875]

Great Video!!! Thanks so much!! Can you do one on the Japanese hand plane?

[@achnamara]

Interesting video, thanks. I always find that rubbing s candle on the bottom makes planing so much easier. One tool I don't seem to be able to set up is the spokeshave. So similar to the hand plane but I've never managed to get the results I get from my plane.

[@katzmosestools]

Agreed. I'll have to put a video together on that one. Great tip with the wax.

[@seapilot4042]

Learned something here today. Always amazed how much engineering is put into a simple tool. Cheers

[@TheWoodStroker]

Good advice. I have heard in Japan they have a contest to see whom can get the thinnest shavings from a plane.

[@teosinghsyiem9426]

just beautiful. lots of valuable info

[@ga5743]

Very good explanation Katz. 2 things I didn't hear you mention was bevel up or bevel down. Very confusing when you are just starting out. Another thing from my experience is getting a 21 1/2 inch "no name" jointer plane with a reverse thread to adjust the depth of cut....that was "fun" trying to adjust it without that knowledge. Keep up the good work.

[@katzmosestools]

I spent 30 seconds talking about it and how to tell which way was up. Its right before I adjust the chip breakers. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@andrewwhitehead7252]

Thanks Jonathan great video well explained 👍🏻

[@588158]

you are a great teacher; I learned a lot! i would love to see a video on how to sharpen or retooth a dovetail saw.

[@BradsWorkbench]

Totally agree! I relish any chance I get to use my planes. I’d love to see your set up on a scrub plane and dimensioning with one

[@katzmosestools]

Hahaha I'm usually not a scrub plane guy. I've got machines that'll do that. James Wright has some awesome scrub plane videos

[@BradsWorkbench]

I agree but I’ve only got a 6” jointer so my scrub plane still gets used quite a bit. Plus it’s fun. I’ll look at his channel more in depth. I’ve seen his how to make a scrub plane but that’s about it

[@syedbaniamin]

Great, thank you for the adjustment.

[@ktfk1228]

Great videos! I just picked up my first hand plane and I'd love to see some videos on troubleshooting some hand plane issues and techniques.

[@dennisoshea4906]

Great info for someone getting started in hand planes Setting up is very important but if you can't sharpen correctly is pretty useless Also putting a little paraffin wax on the sole makes a huge difference also

[@nmssis]

i'm a newbie n when I get these kinda wispy shaves....very therapeutic indeed.

[@shaulbenmaor]

Really liked this video, i'm working with hand planes for some time now, and I got some important insights! Thanks for the video.

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure bud!

[@steveborch6820]

Wow. Very informative video. Thanks. Didn’t realize how important the direction the plane should go with the wood fibers and the right side-left side trick is great. And yes, there’s nothing like creating the thin shavings lol. Awesome !!

[@juancornetto8243]

Hey Moses! That Walker bloke sent me here to see how to get the second thinnest shavings on youtube! You didn't disappoint ;) Say hi to your mom :)

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha deal

[@arturosaunya385]

thanks for all the knowledge very useful 🙏🏽

[@clivemcnally5236]

Only one thing that you did that made me flinch . When I was an apprentice an old carpenter told me never lay a plane down on its blade and I've never forgotten those words of wisdom

[@katzmosestools]

I completely disagree with that mentality. If you lay it on its side you can knock it out of alignment. I always set it down carefully. There's no world where a workbench (if you're gentle with your plane) will do any damage to A2 tool steel.

[@clivemcnally5236]

@@katzmosestools I don't think its how you lay it down , its just that you took great care sharpening it then proceed to put it on onto the blade and any grit and dust that may still be on the bench. The carpenter in question used to put a strip of 1/4" to lay the toe of the plane on to keep the edge sharp that little bit longer

[@marrazzowoodworkingdiy8118]

Hi Jonathan. Thanks for the tips. I'm relatively new to woodworking although not carpentry. I do not own any hand planes but would like to start learning and using them more. Could you please set me in the right direction as far as where to start? What plane(s) do you recommend for a first purchase? Thanks for the video and I hope you have time to answer.

[@katzmosestools]

Block plane, #4 bench plane and a #62 low angle, in that order, should get you just about everything you need to get started. You can buy them new or on Ebay and restore them

[@davidlambeth9810]

Great video! I am new to woodworking, so these videos are very helpful. How can I avoid rolling the plane? I often get a slope on my thin surfaces.

[@bobd.]

Sharpening and tuning a router plane would be a good topic.

[@simpleman4196]

Here is a tip for you that not many people know. Your cap iron is your screw driver for the screw in the chip breaker and plane blade. Try it out it's a perfect fit and will never slip

[@jeffkeisling3558]

Johathan - thanks for the great vid. The Frog....should it be flush to the opening, or pushed back so the plane blade is resting on the opening of the sole/base? Thanks

[@ronaldkirchoff938]

Thanks Jonathan, great video with very useful tips!

[@billcoleman2009]

V helpful! How about a vid on getting an old style chip breaker flush with the blade under tension? I have a cheap plane that lines up everything fine until I tighten the breaker to the blade, then a 1 mil gap appears on one side - no idea how to fix it!!

[@katzmosestools]

You have to sharpen the chip breaker flat basically

[@billcoleman2009]

@@katzmosestools thanks, it works - kinda ~~~ i think it may be the cheapo iron/breaker assembly. Flat becomes curved under tension :-/ I've somewhat solved the issue with a slight camber on the breaker, but i guess sometimes you gotta spend the money to get quality metal (or go vintage).

[@mikeuk1954]

Nice. 👍Your right it's so satisfying when your plane cuts as expected.

[@katzmosestools]

So true!

[@scottsimpey2965]

Great video Johnathan. Very informative. I have never really known how close or far the chip breaker was supposed to be from the edge of the blade so I have always set it about 1/8” from the edge but then tend to get tear out. Glad to finally know where it should be set 👍

[@kenchenbear]

Do you have a plan for the bench top mini bench?

[@Tavnott]

@Jonathan Katz-Moses I bought a habd plane few years ago and gave up on figuring out how to use it. Thanks to to you I discovered that the chip breaker (learned what the parts are from your videos) was backwards... I don't know if i did it trying to figure out how to use it or if it came from the store that way.. lol... Anyhow.. Thanks for the lesson... Just a suggestion: More close ups of the parts when you're talking about them. Would be easier to understand if you point them out.

[@amjadhani8929]

Very informative, thank you. I'm subscribing