Tuning cheap adjust block plane( $ 15 )

I bought block plane here,
www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-6-25-in-Adjustable-Block-Plane/4777021

[@michael.schuler]

Thank you! When they were young, I made a demonstration for my sons: I made a razor sharp knife from an old file and then proceeded to shave my face with it. I explained to them: a man with skills can make a beautiful tool from junk; a man without skills can make junk out of a beautiful tool. Your demonstrations are a constant reminder that skill and understanding are the most valuable tools.

[@silvermediastudio]

I've heard it put this way, "humans over hardware." Couldn't be more true. Although a nice A2 tool steel blade would help!

[@NYWoodworker]

This proves that often it is not about the tool but about the user! Well done Young!

[@petergregory5286]

Second that! Good video, thanks.

[@mysticjbyrd]

It's a complete ripoff of an old stanley though.... I am not surprised it's a decent tool. after a lot of tuning I agree, there are a lot of tool snobs out there, but most ppl wouldn't know how to fix this thing.

[@escaflowne33055]

well this one has a better starting point...people have fixed the HF stuff to this level.

[@dreyn7780]

Yeah, we see the user selling their rusted broken destroyed tools each week at the second hand market. We know the reputation of woodworkers. They disrespect and destroy every tool they get their hands on. Then I pick them up for $5 if I can be bothered.

[@bloggermouth]

Until now I didn't think anyone could polish a turd. I am inspired to fix my block plane.

[@robinturner2300]

bloggermouth you can't polish a turd... But you CAN roll it in glitter

[@RussellStClair-cy1vu]

bloggermouth don't listen you Guild a turd that way it's a 24-karat turd

[@bloggermouth]

lol

[@dangernoodle8376]

The myth busters successfully polished a turd

[@vistritha]

bloggermouth me to

[@juleswebb1885]

Your arms and hands towards the end tell a lot about yourself..you are a true craftsman. Respect : )

[@YoungJe]

thank you so ,

[@Jkw211]

I was just thinking the same thing

[@rocknumber11]

not just a craftsman but an artist

[@dreyn7780]

Lubricant. Sorry but woodworkers have a terrible reputation for destroying everything they get their hands on as far as tools go. This video is no exception. LUBRICATE every surface and restore the scratches cause the designer know more than you do about their tools. You remove some friction by adding scratches and those scratches grab onto wax much better than a mirror finish.

[@tedrenard472]

Sir. I've watched a few of your videos making infill planes, and stand in admiration of your skill. Most of us will never even have a workshop or the tools to be able to attempt anything similar. However, most of us usually have one of those small cheap block planes languishing in the bottom of the box, and as you've shown, they are that poor that usually they're used to knock panel pins in with. In this video, you've taught me, and I'm sure many others, a lesson. Some knowledge, some skill, some effort and patience are what separates the true craftsman from the rest of us. More than inspiring me to have a fresh look at the sad old plane in the bottom of the box, you've forced me to have another look at myself. You've finally crossed the hurdle in being one of the few that can actually teach an old dog new trick. I salute you.

[@ScottTurnerformeindustrious]

Those transparent shavings are a thing of beauty, made possible by your attention to detail!

[@YoungJe]

thanks,

[@Guy_makes_thing]

@Rayden Adrien you fuckers show up everywere don't you.

[@GrahamOrm]

Enjoyed that. No music or verbals. Nice relaxing watch.

[@YoungJe]

thanks,

[@BAK87]

It's inspiring to see a man understand and improve the workings of a tool. It's becoming a rare thing in today's consumer society. Well done, much respect!

[@nickduncan7540]

I am impressed!! I'm very impressed!!! You truly are a master craftsman! You use the tools you have on hand. With determination, and knowledge. You create masterpieces in the shop! I would love to have you give step by step instructions on lapping and tools to use. Where to get them on the cheep. And verbally tell us what's going on. Be my teacher is what. I doubt I'm alone!!

[@ryanbaptiste249]

I bought a plane just like this recently, I worked on the sole and the blade and it's still rubbish so I was going to bin it! Now I realise how much more TLC it needs… thanks for this video!

[@dreyn7780]

Oh, so you’re the guy who’s been making all those THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF rusty broken tools each day being sold second hand. So, mysterious guy digs in your rubbish bin and gets them out and goes and sells them to cash converters.

[@GrahamOrm]

I use my block plane on site almost daily. I love it. Thought I'd lost it a while back and was distraught, but had just misplaced it. Great little tool once you get them singing.

[@MarkShepard]

I came looking for answers because my cheap Stanley block plane is totally unusable and I spent an hour attempting to figure out how to adjust it before I gave up and invested in this video... which is brilliant! I love the absence of tawk! of course adding all the equipment and time needed to make it useable puts the price tag a lot higher... and now at least I understand why investing in a higher quality tool is WORTH it. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to make this!!

[@PiefacePete46]

Add me to the list of people who have been inspired to look more closely at their cutting tools, to see what we can do to improve them. Thank you so much, I really enjoy your videos. Liked & subscribed.

[@YoungJe]

thank you,

[@trygveblstad6917]

Thank you, wonderful to see you master the craft and letting me enrich myself in just a few minutes. Most grateful Young Ji

[@zacharykuhn9332]

I love taking something/anything and making it functional. Your videos are inspiring. I would like to thank you for sharing your talents with us. It is appreciated and it means a lot to me.

[@YoungJe]

Thanks for the comment,

[@eddieespinosa8743]

Give this man a medal , that was a great job he did, turned a butter knife into a carving knife, good job

[@YoungJe]

thanks~

[@dreyn7780]

Wrong! He improved 50% and destroyed the other 50%. And forgot lubricant. So, the tool is worse than before he started and it’s set up to get massive RUST and broken components and it will get sold next week at the second hand market. We all know this is true cause there at the second hand market ARE ALL THE WOODWORKERS TOOLS. YOU NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. Who IS making all those BROKEN RUSTY TOOLS offered for sale EVERY DAY?

[@lucianonarno1408]

Wow! I wasn’t expecting such a good outcome, those shavings were really thin and uniform!!!!

[@NMranchhand]

Very relaxing and satisfying to watch a job well done. Thank you. I think I will go give my planes some love this afternoon. My block plane is always in my pocket when I’m in the shop.

[@olleybear]

First time I ever bought plane was this exact one from lowes. Dont know a thing about them and am so frustrated with it. This video really helps me understand why I am frustrated with it and that its not me but the cheap built tool. Thanks for the information and posting this video to teach us.

[@wiseoldfool]

The sound of the tuned-up plane making those fine shavings is very satisfying!

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Just goes to show, if you look after your tools they will look after the wood. Spending time "upgrading" cheap tools they can work just as good as the more expensive ones. My toolbox has many cheapies and reconditioned tools. Great video 👍🏼😊

[@YoungJe]

Thank you for the comment

[@alfredomarquez9777]

I bought an IDENTICAL "FOOTPRINT" brand (supossedly made in Mississauga Ontario, Canada); but that looks EXACTLY the same... and has EXACTLY ALL THE SAME, BAD FINISHED points you made us aware in your excellent video... Not a single difference at all! THANKS SO MUCH !. I am going to carefully follow all your steps as soon as I get the proper stones and a truly flat surface! Mine cost me about 35 US Dollars several years ago at a Sears store.

[@my520graj]

I'm using one of those, and I think they are not so bad, compare price to quality, of course they need some attention. And if you drop one of those or hit the nail there will be no tears. Thank you for another intresting video.

[@tonyrowan3192]

my520graj I think with the block plane being so short the tension issue is not significant. With a No. 4 and upwards,I think it would become more important.

[@dreyn7780]

Price means nothing in 2020. It’s no indication of anything anymore. Middlemen have manipulated price, so it means something TO THEM and not to you.

[@goodgirl99us]

Time and attention to detail, pride in their work. Truly the mark of a Trade craftsman.

[@kennyc388]

Best video by far regarding a makeover of the crappy Lowe's Kobalt block plane. Nice job, Asian guy !!

[@BradsWorkbench]

I’ve been looking at those. I knew it would require a lot of work but I really like how heavy it feels

[@scottmartin7717]

They are quite heavy

[@jimbo2629]

I have bought and used a very cheap block plane. Also a not quite so cheap one. They are now ok, but the blades will never be good enough. Flattening the sole is the most important bit for me. The throat on one of them is ridiculously wide open, but it doesn’t make that much difference. I will buy a decent blade for one of them one day. Another great video.

[@joegrimes6485]

Very nice job on tuning what is normally a piece of junk . Your observation of every detail is refreshing.

[@magicrobharv]

I liked the way you used the feeler gauge to check to see if the sole of the plane was level. Great video.

[@luchvk]

This is an inspirational video for me. I have a limited budget. So, it's nice to see that good performance can be achieved even if using an inexpensive, but decent, tool. It just takes some work to get it. I've started on mine and am already am getting better performance than before I started working on it. I don't have a belt sander. So flattening the bottom took time and effort. It took maybe a couple of hours of hand sanding with 100 grit sandpaper. That being said, I'm now able to get strips of wood when planing. They're thicker than in the video but I do still have more work to do. Thanks for making this video! It's much appreciated.

[@jamesblumensheid353]

I've been doing woodworking for over 50 years. I was taught at a very young age to never sit a plane on its bottom. Only when in use do you lay it on its bottom. Always lay it on its side!

[@wiseoldfool]

Can of worms! Laying it on its side can move the iron. Check out Stumpy Nubbs, Rob Cosman, Jonathan Katz-Moses, Paul Sellars and many more. There's a good reason people of young age are taught this, but it is not necessarily relevant to more experienced woodworkers. No disrespect intended, James.

[@chris_thornborrow]

Humbling. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us this.

[@dreyn7780]

How NOT to lubricate tools and cause RUST and BREAKAGES, and to end up for sale at the Sunday market.

[@DD-lc9jv]

My favorite part was when you explained what you were doing and why you were doing it. Just the absolute greatest ever! You should make a video describing how to talk without taking I bet ya could do it!

[@oxonian4518]

Congrats! You have got your own Veritas-like plane block plane.Tks for sharing!

[@ramonching7772]

It's analogous to an average joe. With proper nurturing, it can be transformed into a fine man. Very inspiring.

[@keza41]

Love watching a bloke that knows what he is doing. Thanks.

[@fishbonealice]

Did this with similar cheap plane. Took a few hours but now it works perfectly. In use I’d defy anyone to tell it in use from a plane costing ten times as much. Holds an edge well too

[@wiseoldfool]

Good work. I recently got a very cheap block plane, no adjustable mouth. All I've done so far is sharpen the iron. Still more work to do, but it has already been put to good use. At least when you buy a plane this cheap you can expect to have to work on it. If you had to do all that work on a plane costing 10 times this, you would not be happy!

[@sapelesteve]

Amazing work! You turned a non-working plane into a great tool to have around the shop....Way to go..............

[@YoungJe]

thanks

[@elivojnovich4116]

I came across this video just passing time and actually have that same Kobalt plane and when I saw what you could actually do with it....well, there go my evening......I'll be heading down to my shop room to start my own work on tuning it up as close to what you did (hopefully) and if I get even in the ball park....that little blue hunk of import might just become my newest favorite toy in the shop.....

[@TimothyHall13]

the lack of real tuning leads to great frustration. ty for showing this

[@jerrystark6766]

Nice video and tool upgrade. For what its worth, I purchased several Stanley block planes (low and high angle) years ago and had to go through a similar process to shape them up. The initial tune-up effort was well worth it, and both planes have given me years of good service -- as I am sure your newly-upgraded Cobalt plane will, as well. I still love my Lie-Nielsen block planes, but I realize, too, that they can cost up to ten times as much (or more) as the Cobalt plane you have so nicely refitted. Well done! Best regards!

[@YoungJe]

Effort is always worth it, thank you~

[@kathleenbasieiwcz4636]

Loved the video. Not music, and very informative. Love you arms. Now I know how to fix mine.

[@barrykery1175]

Very nice. I see from watching your video I still need to do more work on mine. Mine was so bad that the blade's cutting edge was not square to the side of the blade. It was way off. Once I trued the blade and sharpened it, my shavings were still thicker on one side than the other side. I used a micrometer to check my shavings. One side was .010" think and the other side was .016" of an inch. My board was only 3/4" wide. I had to take mine all apart and use a die grinder to actually grind down the planer's body where the blade rested. The best use for mine is to just cut away wood on some really bad spots that you can feel by hand that are high. I would never use this tool for build professional furniture. I'll have to go back and do even more work on it too see how much I can improve on it. Thanks for the informative video. Barry

[@mark64tanner]

Thank you. Nice to see without a lot of funds that if you have time and patience you can achieve very good results. Very good to watch.

[@YoungJe]

thanks~

[@AlCatrraz]

LOVED IT! I saw a $15 plane converted to $50+ plane - and I also learned how to use the $15 one I just bought !!!! BEST

[@RonMack07]

Just watched your video for the second time, I just wanted to note that someone's been paying attention either to lack of sales or some of these type reviews I bought one today and it only took me about 10 minutes to flatten the bottom and the lever cap using 120 then 500 by hand, it sure seems to me that either they tightened up the tolerances or mine was produced shortly after re calibrating the machinery, thanks for your tips savings purchasing this over a Lie Nielsen or such can go to materials or needed tools.

[@SuperSoldierStan]

Thank you brother , i just bought this same plane at lowes, thank you for showing the flaws and step by step fixes and refining

[@Volcker1929]

Great video, very nice work. I would not have guessed that you would be able to get such thin shavings from that basic inexpensive plane.

[@michaelhove7950]

i think i just came.... The quality of the finished product is AWESOME. Now I need a sandwich and a nap. Well done.

[@ThinkB4UAct]

Thank you Young Je for doing this video on. This cheap planer I have one similar therefore I have my work cut out.i look forward to challenge, again thank you

[@danielbarker5101]

I was going to give up on my cheap plane but this is motivation to see what I can actually get mine to do. Love the video!

[@dreyn7780]

You too! I’ve NEVER SEEN rusty broken tools offered for sale, like, EVER! You guys know what you’re doing. The most used tool in your shop is THE OIL CAN. I know! You are f ing smart!

[@mikehancock9062]

Impressive work. Your patience and skill is a gift. Thank you for sharing.

[@juskojj]

i got the same one as a gift and haven't used it much and haven't been frustrated with it! now after watching this i know what to look for and do to improve it! once i know how a tool is supposed to perform and seeing the fixes and understanding why, i can duplicate and remember :) excellent job btw!

[@pywac]

Nice job! Couldn't believe the size of the burs left from the punch that punched the plates. The shoe was quite distorted. You almost remade the whole plane. File in one direction and your files will last longer.

[@tomrecane6366]

Thanks for the video. I am going thru the same process. I think it's helpful to think of these planes as a "kit" of roughly made parts. The buyer has to complete it to get a nice working plane. For $15 it's kind of a steal.

[@NathanNostaw]

So much work to make it decent. I have had to spend many hours on my stanley plane too, though nothing compared to all the poor parts of this block plane. I just had a Groz block plane arrive for use in our school workshop, much the same junk as this one you worked on. I doubt I have the time to invest to make it half decent though. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@AlbertoGonzalez-cu4mi]

This is a very good job, I like it a lot because everybody could afford this kind of tool and now we know what to do to get the most for it. I will try it with my planes.

[@johnhealy2092]

Was just doing the same thing today with a cheap rolson block vice , thought I done a good job till I seen this ,I will do it again ,great video

[@YoungJe]

good luck

[@Obi1kenobi10]

Incredible! I now know what I have to do to get my junk planes up to snuff!! Very informative!

[@robertclark3258]

Thank you! I have the Stanley version of this Chinese plane and had given up on it. Now I think I'll try to salvage it.

[@dreyn7780]

Woodworkers are EXPERTS at destroying their tools and getting rid of them onto the WISE people.

[@woodylakkham4169]

Thank you so much master. After fine tuning this "cheap" Kobalt is sharper, smoother and sadly far better than my Stanley block of the same size. They look very identical except for the coloring and the price. By the way I will probably have to do more tuning on mine. Inspiring video.

[@TonyWadkins]

great job! I have 3 of these Lowes Kobalt planes in various states of disrepair and will give them a tuneup for a second life!

[@tonyy5482]

Advice I have seen previously recommends having the blade in the plane and under normal working tension, with edge retracted, when flattening the base of a plane. However this certainly seemed to work ;)

[@GrahamOrm]

I think that's probably more relevant with a bigger plane where there's more of it to twist.

[@xmassimolaix]

Actually, I flattened my block plane without tightening the screws and when I did that produced a small but noticeable concavity on the sole... i.e. I had to do it all over again ;)

[@kennyc388]

That is a myth. No difference if the blade is in or out. None.

[@supraender]

Thank you for this video. I just bought the other plane from the same company. I knew it would need work and this video helps a lot since you used the same brand. Thank you!

[@unclesam1707]

You made it so simple and professionally modified, mine I’m still trying to modify it as well

[@paulwindler3040]

Its been 35 years since my late Master Frank Casey said to me, " Its the Master that can make the tools dance. " Something i have never forgotten all those years ago when i was a 16 year old 1st Year Apprentice Cabinetmaker.

[@saltylures]

The hands of a working man. Much respect 👍👍

[@ianvicedomini2648]

Absolutely outstanding job from an amazing craftsman.. when's your next video mate.. so satisfying to watch.

[@erichayes5217]

Nicely done. I've done this myself with cheap planes a couple times just for fun. But the difference between an expensive plane and a cheap one is not just the fit and finish. It's the quality of the materials used to make it. Most importantly the iron. You can shine it up and sharpen it as much as you want but if it won't hold an edge and its dull after just one use its kinda pointless. Speaking from experience.

[@wgenfair]

Man, this is the best video i got. Congrats.

[@patrickkeefe8231]

@Young Je I thought I was bad fixing cheap stuff out of the box, but I don't think I can carry your bags when it comes to this. Nice work. That is a $500 block plane now.

[@hernancoronel]

Now I want to get one of those... and you should put a sponsored link in case people get inspired and buy it!

[@LegoMan-cz4mn]

If you do this type of thing more often, I would reccommend sticking 3 or 4 different types of sandpaper to a glass plate to get a perfect flat face

[@Iamdragonman]

Your skill and knowledge are a wonder to behhold!!!! A true craftsman.

[@johndoe1765]

I HAVE THE SAME PLANE ,AND THANKS FOR THE HELP IN TUNING THE THING GREAT VIDEO .

[@dwightbrown2808]

Buy a Lie-Nielsen Block plane for $165.00. You will never need another block plane and it works right out of the box. It is worth every penny. I never had a plane that worked well until I had one of those. Your time and patience are worth a lot, at least mine are. The thing is cheap at three times the price.

[@javierumx]

Incredible, dedication to the details, thanks for share and inspire, regards from Mexico

[@YoungJe]

thank you~

[@tonybp965]

Whoa...what a huge difference.

[@MOSTAFA131160]

Very helpful video, you made a new plain completely different and priceless now, thank you 🙏

[@ericwilliams538]

Maybe if Kobalt cared enough about their customers. They would put out products as good as what this plane was, after all the hard work you put into it.

[@goosecouple]

This video deserves million views.

[@mujisukur5423]

a tool to sharpen his knife what my brother ... greetings from indonesia ... a very amazing work

[@vincesmith9138]

Great video,l knew there was potential in my cheap block plane,now I've been inspired to get it sorted. Thanks

[@twoshedsjackson6478]

It goes to show that the true difference between top brands and cheap copies is in the finish detail. You buy the expensive one and they SHOULD have done all this for you ( but not always).

[@jonq8714]

I've got a lot of work to do on mine... This was incredibly helpful.

[@afidram]

That was awesome - great education on hand planes in general. Nice work!

[@YoungJe]

thank you,

[@Edgunsuk]

Makes me want to go out and buy a plane ....and im a blacksmith lol , excellent video and skills !!

[@iamfuturetrunks]

This reminded me of some of those Japanese people who put up youtube videos buying dirt cheap knifes from stores and then really sharpen them up and get them to cut very well.

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

Those shavings appear to be at the cellular level. Excellent job.

[@MintStiles]

I mean, this is amazing to watch, and I am sure what the designers of the plane originally envisioned. But that’s probably like 20 hrs? Just pay the 150 bucks and get a really good one out of the factory, the blades are also much better. I suppose it all comes down to what your time is worth.

[@bearwhocares9539]

20 hours!! 😂😂hell nah. He had that sweet ass sander. Maybe 2 hrs all together tops.

[@jeffharp8256]

I own this plane and always wanted to make it preform better. Great Video! Thank you!

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

my Veritas low angle block plane with pmv11 blade is KING. For 179 euros, yes. Nice job on 'the turd' not bad at all. My compliments.

[@safelinefleet6633]

A bad worker quarrels with his tools - a good one sets it right! Good job...!!

[@joebrown1382]

No wonder my Stanley block plane is crap. I need to do this. Thanks

[@patrickinottawa27]

And once you do the tuning, and it could take a few evenings, you'll be amazed and what your Stanley can do. All planes regardless of manufacturer or price need some degree of fine tuning. The more you pay, the less you have to do. My first plane was a $35 no name piece of junk from Home Depot. Took me a week, to get everything fixed up, but now even ten years later, I still use it. I get nice shavings off of Maple or Red Oak. The blade, I did with 800 and 4000 water stones. I used the green buffing compound (9000 grit) with a buffing wheel to make it look pretty. I don't find I have to sharpen it that often. I'm actually looking at buying the contractor grade Stanley Bailey #5.

[@robertclark3258]

Me too!

[@silvermediastudio]

Many Japanese block planes come unfinished. It's for the end user to fettle and tune them up to their specific liking. I have one of the newer Stanley Sweetheart low angle block planes, did a tune-up middle of last year. Took about six hours total I'd say, first time I've really gone that in-depth. It's a beauty.

[@thrash99er]

Incredible! I was looking for a good method of refitting this Kobalt! Now I have a great guide thank you.

[@watermain48]

Nicely done. I tried to do what you did to mine and it now much better. Thanks for sharing.

[@johngorman7344]

What a revelation. It goes to show that even with budget tools a man with skill, knowledge and experience can succeed in creating a tool which fuctions extremely well. I wonder what you can do with a more expensive one? The mind boggles. I will need to pay more attention to how I treat my own tools and prepare to accept the blame for my erratic workmanship myself.

[@bomaite1]

You need to flatten the sole with the blade in and under tension. The steel deforms slightly with stress. Replace the blade, back it off a little, and flatten again.

[@thunderbird4426]

Bravo, u r great. U can use a cheap tool and make it do what u wanna do. Its not about the brand. Thanks for the video. I salute u.

[@YoungJe]

thank you,