Medium chair-maker plane with tote, Stanley #2 bench plane for size comparision

 

After thinking about it as I wrote last night's post, I decided to go ahead and cut another 1/2 inch off the length of the plane. This would allow the front edge of the tote's foot to fall in line with the rear edge of the bed. The shortened body would also make it easier to fit the curves of the sole into tighter radiuses when scooping out a seat saddle. This morning, I tapped the tote back out of it's sliding dove-tailed channel. Then I cross-cut a 1/2 inch off the heel of the stock at a 20 degree angle. I reshaped the curves at the rear of the sole, then reset the tote in it's dove-tailed slot. The plane is exactly 7-5/8 inches in length, identical to the Stanley #2 bench plane as shown in the picture above. I have added a piece of 1/8th inch thick scrap to represent the plane iron, and the trial wedge to give you a clearer idea of what the finished plane will look like. I have not yet set a strike button in the nose of the plane, but I haven't forgotten it. And naturally the camera has picked up every sanding scratch on the prototype. Bother!!!

Have a good night. STB