Category Archives: 5-Tools

Birthing a Hira-Kanna(common plane)

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Greg Merritt

This blog has been quiet as of late, which usually indicates that not much is happening in my wood shop.  In this instance though, that is not the case.  I’ve been in the shop almost everyday trying to get my head … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Kanna Blade Identification-Can you Help?

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I’m asking for your help.  I was recently asked about the blade in one of my kanna.  That question made me realize that I know nothing about the Japanese plane blades that I own.  I’m hoping that some of you … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Chisel Setup

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Greg Merritt

My Japanese chisels are middle of the road, decent user-grade chisels.  As such, they are factory produced and marketed for the western buyer.  They are a laminated construction and the steel is good, but the fit and finish is a … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Training

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Greg Merritt

The best way I know to learn a new skill is through repetition, lots of repetition.  My ultimate goal is to transition over to using the Japanese plane (kanna) exclusively in my woodworking.  However there are several challenges that must … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna, Thoughts-Views | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

The Saga of the Kanna Continues

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Greg Merritt

OK…you are probably getting sick of the kanna posts.  Sorry, but you will have to bare with me a little while longer. Emboldened by my mediocre success with my first dai making experiment, I decided to tackle making a dai … Continue reading →

Posted in Kanna | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Kanna in Action

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Greg Merritt

In my last post on my about my dai making experiment I talked about how the shavings leaped from the plane.  I tried to explain that to a non-woodworker at my day job and they just couldn’t picture it.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Kanna | Tagged | 12 Comments

Chisel Tray-Part 4-Complete

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Two and a half days of 90+deg in the shop is close enough to three days cure time for me.  The instructions on the can say to rub the entire surface with chalk before actually using the chalkboard.  So I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chisel Tray | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Chisel Tray-Part 3

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Still plugging away.  Next up on the chisel tray was adding the sliding lid.  This is a simple, but effective design for putting a lid on a box.  There’s no hardware involved either.  Just a few bits of wood and … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Chisel Tray | Tagged | 9 Comments

The Great Kanna Experiment-Part 2

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Greg Merritt

After my Cheerios and coffee this morning I headed out to the shop to try my hand at making dai #2.  This dai will have the blade bedded at 45deg.  My goal is to find the best blade angle for … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

The Great Kanna Experiment-Part 1

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I’m not gonna sugar coat it, I have struggled with the Japanese common plane.  Getting it to cut is easy.  Getting it to cut consistently and predictably, that’s a whole other thing all together.  The learning curve is steep and … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna | Tagged , , | 14 Comments