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[manno]

Hey all. Thought id share an update on where im at re giving some shaping a bit of a go. While im still quite a ways off actually putting steel to willow i have been picking up the odd tool here and there. One a little more "odd" than the rest......

Those with any experience using these types of tools feel free to let me know what you think and what else i might need.

Some of the basics. A good sturdy drawknife. A couple of old planes (yet to shape the soles), a small steel spoke shave and a much larger beech type. All pretty old but with plenty of life left in them.



I got an old combi machine that has a nice spindle moulder on it that i could use for shaping the shoulders/toe. I also managed to find a 240V fixed base router and cast iron router lift and plate that i could use too. Will give both a run and see which leaves the best finish. Ideally id love a big twin spindle unit like a Wadkin... maybe one day...





Old and bloody hard to find 240V porter cable router with benchdog router lift.



Small bandsaw and a big old cast iron lathe that i can use for binding handles.



I also came across a nice solid cast iron workbench that i had to have. Weighs a tonne!





So thats a few of the very basic tools and machines that ive managed to get so far, none of its flash and some needs a bit of work, but over all im fairly happy. I love the idea of one day, shipping a part-made that ive shaped back across to the UK to be used!



Oh yeah, and then theres this......... 



Cheers. Manny.

[JB]

Looks a good set up!! You must have a good sized workshop!

[manno]

Looks a good set up!! You must have a good sized workshop!

Thanks JB. Its getting there. The workshop is the issue though. Renting at the moment so i cant really set up until we have our own place. Unfortunately.

[Northern monkey]

I used to live hundred yards from The Wadkin factory.

You've got the beginnings of a decent little bat making business.

I started with probably the hardest bit, by trying to build a press
When I started 4yrs ago, I had a nice double size garage with power and lighting
I'm now down to a small shed, so the press takes up all the room,(I'm gonna dismantle it)
I do enjoy working outside when the weathers decent, so I'm looking into making a shave horse and seeing if that works for cleft shaping.
Only thing is I've covered most of the garden in dust.
I've no intention of selling bats, it's purely to test out shapes and pressing etc for my own curiosity

Good luck with it all and look forward to seeing pictures of your workshop

[manno]

Thanks Northern monkey. Jealous! Id kill to have a workshop filled with big old wadkin pattern making machines. Wadkin PK slider, twin spindle EQ, huge 28" surface planer..... its the dream.   

Good to see you making the most of the space youve got now, and it makes me rethink the prospect of having to wait until i have my own purpose built space. Maybe something makeshift until then. And you jumped right in with a press. Thats unreal! Id love to play around with that side of things. Maybe one day. There was actually a complete, working press for sale on gumtree here in Aus a while back that i had my eye on but thought i may be biting off more than i could chew. For now id be happy just to try and shape something that id be happy to use. I like your shave horse idea too, id never heard of them until id seen a few drawknife resto vids. Obviously an american thing but im sure they could be easily adapted to use on bats.

[Northern monkey]

I've got a coupla ideas regarding cheaper easier presses
Maybe using a pillar drill turned on its side?

The shave horse really appeals .
I was shaping a cleft on Friday outside,just holding it between my feet , with the handle against my chest, but I've now got a bruised chest, so not my brightest idea.

I'd love a workshop like Julian millichamps.

I'm also very lucky to work for the uk,s largest hair and beauty furniture manufacturers so I do have access to whatever woodworking machinery I need and I also have a coupla mates who have carpentry business
But, I like just grabbing a part made and sitting on the patio and whittling away at it

[manno]

Some great connections there mate. And i like your idea for a press. If i ever look at going that path ill likely have to come up with something diy. The secondhand press i saw was not cheap. 

[tom line]

Hey @manno
Excuse the nativity but what's in the box of the last photo?
At first I thought it was a festool sander but on a second glance I don't think so
Thanks.

[Gurujames]

It's a cooler for the beers

[manno]

Hey Tom, no its not the festool. Thats burried somewhere in the garage. Gurujames - logical assumption. But no, its not that either.

[edge]

Guessing you're not showing the inside of the box because it's a bloody mess inside.

[manno]

The mother in laws severed head? 

[jblowe]

I like just grabbing a part made and sitting on the patio and whittling away at it

Makes a change from clogs and spoons

[Northern monkey]

Don't give me ideas!ha

[Northern monkey]

Gotta be a nice sander in the box???