HP 8 Mini Block Plane

[@csimet]

I just received one and got it on black Friday sale... less than half price. It is impressively well made and packaged. I've been looking for a small plane for trim work and this one fits the need very well. The (re)movable side fences are super useful and a great option, even if not always needed. I picked up the honing guide/kit for it as well, with the money saved. I too got it to replace my Stanley low angle block plane.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi csimet, good choice. The HP-8 is one of those tools that is always a pleasure to pick up and use.

[@bloke875]

I have been using this plane for over 18 months now, never failed to give less than perfect results. When encountering opposite grain you can also pull instead of pushing the plane. I do that with my chopsticks from time to time. Btw I now have their full set of functionally elegant hand planes, my indulgence despite the cost.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi Peter, They are some nice looking planes. Enjoy

[@sneezingfrog]

Purchased one a few weeks ago. For planing Kumiko strips, it's frankly hard to envision a more pleasant and easy to use solution; very pleased with mine. A hint for anyone using it for this purpose: common 1/8" crosscut blade kerf is, typically, not actually 0.125"; rather, it's typically 0.110", and for the best fit you want the strips to be that width as well. You can purchase individual calibrated gage blocks from Mitutoyu surprisingly inexpensively, and then you've got easily repeatable, absolutely perfect setup every time.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Thanks for sharing that information Allen. Happy New Year.

[@bobrobinson4557]

Great review. Just unboxed one and wow. Excellence all the way. A terrific tool, I agree.

[@norm5785]

I just ordered one. I think it will work well for my needs. Thank you for sharing your awesome review of this hand plane. From Henrico County Virginia, stay safe

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi Norm, I'm sure you will love it. I still do. Beyond being an effective tool, is is also a pleasure to use and easy on the eyeballs. Enjoy and have a great day.

[@jeanlucvassort6411]

Hye, just received mine today, took it from the box, took a piece of pine wood 15 mm large, adjusted the blade and .... perfect silky shaving straight away !!! just out of box !! excellent. I had a look on the sole, it is true that this sole is not perfect polished (nail scratch feeling) but when i see the silky shaving it's amazing. No issue all. This mini plane is a beauty and works very well. The mini thickness shaving i achieved is about 0,05 mm, perfect. Now it's time to learn to get full experience of this beauty and the thickness control possibilities.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Cheers Jean. It certainly is a beautiful tool to use.

[@DozeyDragoN]

I also love the HP-8! ❤ Like the apron also, do you have the small or the large one? How tall are you? Best Regards, Jan 🪚

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi Jan, I think the apron might be one size fits all. I certainly can’t see any sizes written on it. I’m 182 cm tall. Take care, Darren

[@1960fusion]

Just ordered on this morning!

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Nice, enjoy using it.

[@mlkm18]

Surely this is another good plane from BridgeCity, I am about to place order for my seventh plane from them. I am interested in the yellow thickness block you have, may I ask where can I get a set?

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi, MA Morris. I make a series of videos called "3D prints in the workshop". These blocks made an appearance in episode 6 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/e57CmHuim9uZfbc) and can be downloaded here (www.thingiverse.com/a513055/designs)

[@gilzr473]

Thanks for sharing.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

My pleasure. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@rhodarrieta5771]

Hi Darren. Was wondering if the price you quoted was USD or AUD? Being in WA things from overseas is always a bit on the dearer side. Cheers mate.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi Rhod, yeah I know what you mean. I was talking AUD. They had a special offer on it at the time.

[@chunkymurps]

I received mine in the mail yesterday and while i was waiting for it to arrive i watched a couple of video reviews about it and on one of them someone said they contacted Bridge City about the instructions where they said not to polish or lap the plane iron and were told that that only applied to the previous model and the instructions hadn't been updated to reflect that information. Also, was that $79AUS or US plus postage?

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Thanks Chuckymurps. As the plane worked so well out of the box, I assumed that the instructions were accurate. I will have to get in touch with Bridge City and see which side of the line mine falls.

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Hi again Chunkymurps. I contacted Bridge City Tool Works and asked about honing the back of the blade. This was their reply. "Honing the back can be done, it's really more of a personal preference. Personally, I take a really thin ruler or feeler gauge and set the side with the holes on top of the ruler and use that to just hone the very front of the backside. " I hope this helps.

[@elation.e]

LMFAO I SEARCHED UP “HP 8” TO WATCH HARRY POTTER DEATHLY HALLOWS THE REVENGE BUT THIS CAME UP- 🤣

[@DarrensWorkshop]

You might be onto something. I wonder if I should draw a lightning bolt on my head and wear robes?

[@elation.e]

@@DarrensWorkshop maybe you should 🤔

[@joytekb]

Little carpenter jewelry

[@DarrensWorkshop]

Yep, Shiny and interesting to look at.

[@kirilvasilev1081]

Dear Bill Gates, if You wonder what present I want - here You are, or even Bridge City HP-12 Dual Angle Smoothing Plane!