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

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Setting up a woodworking hand plane to get ridiculously smooth and thin shavings can be a bit of an artform. In this video I give you a comprehensive walk through on setting up a Bailey #3 Bench Plane and a Stanley #4 Smoothing Plane to get amazing results and a finish ready surface . I got the shavings as thin as .0005. Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see next week. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
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[@JonnyBuilds]

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

[@katzmosestools]

Mr. Katz-Moses to you sir ;-)

[@benheinrich4306]

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

[@castletransport]

There's something so unbelievably satisfying about hand planing. Thanks for showing us this, much appreciated

[@KomarProject]

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

[@urbannpa]

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

[@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

[@rishiramnarace9908]

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

[@freudeamfahrenm5]

Nice work!

[@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!

[@seapilot4042]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@duncanvlaar8017]

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

[@morrieshoob9299]

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

[@mauriceryton]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@johncollins5021]

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

[@MrJumpmaster55]

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

[@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.

[@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!!! 👍🏻💪🏻👍🏻

[@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.

[@blackfender100]

Thank you for sharing your skills and experience

[@bobd.]

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

[@avrumisolaimani8546]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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. 👍💪🤘

[@PhilC64]

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

[@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.

[@ivanilves]

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

[@teosinghsyiem9426]

just beautiful. lots of valuable info

[@andrewwhitehead7252]

Thanks Jonathan great video well explained 👍🏻

[@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

[@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!

[@daverthedude1]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@jameshowlet5597]

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

[@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

[@syedbaniamin]

Great, thank you for the adjustment.

[@ronaldkirchoff938]

Thanks Jonathan, great video with very useful tips!

[@bradr.3055]

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

[@cferingacraigferinga]

Thanks for the video, super helpful and well organized.

[@tedwards7404]

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

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

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

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha

[@billqqq]

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

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you my friend!

[@thomasstufe1676]

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

[@chipsterb4946]

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

[@arturosaunya385]

thanks for all the knowledge very useful 🙏🏽

[@bkipad]

Great instruction, thanks

[@amjadhani8929]

Very informative, thank you. I'm subscribing

[@dombenoit9413]

This was very helpfull.... Very good.

[@zacharyford7890]

Great tips! Thanks!

[@philippool4515]

Very informative video thank you!

[@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 !!!

[@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

[@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.

[@jbb5470]

Great video! Very helpful indeed. I am new to hand planes and have a couple. This information will be helpful in setting them up. Thank you

[@theatticwoodworker4594]

just brilliant thanks

[@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!

[@richhubert1260]

Jonathan excellent frecken video! Gives me hope that I can get my old one going!

[@justinphillips5702]

Very informative

[@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.

[@57Sauce]

Thank you for this.

[@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!

[@KateTaylor63]

Thank you so much! This is the exact format that I needed to learn this information

[@katzmosestools]

I appreciate you watching Kate!

[@josephabakersr3884]

Very nicely done Sir, TYVM ‼️😃😁😎

[@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 👍

[@kiyotomiyazaki1668]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

[@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.

[@jasons6472]

Great video.

[@redcomet1977]

you sir are a god-send :)

[@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!

[@robertbamford8266]

Enthusiasm! Thanks for the video.

[@mikeuk1954]

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

[@katzmosestools]

So true!

[@garymiceli7321]

thanks very helpful

[@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.

[@MrBill0523]

GREAT lesson!! Thank you! Bill

[@katzmosestools]

My absolute pleasure bud!

[@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

[@hannahswann747]

Thank you so, SO much! 🙏

[@marinusbeimers7293]

Thanks Jonathan for very informative video

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure bud!

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@JakeThompson]

Awesome video!! Thank you!! 👍👍

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@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.

[@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.

[@wm005]

Learned a lot. Excellent video...

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you my friend!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@TreeOfLifeWoodworking]

Great video!

[@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.

[@solidsnake9332]

Goldmine of info