Hi,
It is highly likely my question has been done here before. I'm a bit of a novice to furniture making, I've been doing a night school at the polytechnic down here in Christchurch, New Zealand, for about 12 months.
It's fair to say I'm hooked. I cannot believe what I can produce with the machinery available and some expert guidance. It's fair to say I have been spoilt by using huge saws and jointers and thicknessers.
Projects so far include a bedside table (beech), bookcase (white oak),outdoor table (macrocarpa).
I have now developed a curiosity with the question "How easy would it be to learn how to mill and joint boards by hand?"
I have just bought a second hand Stanley No.5 and read up on tuning it andsharpening (scary sharp).
I am intrigued by how much of what I have done at night school can be doneat home with hand tools without spending ten times as much time on it.
My question is "Am I on a hiding to nothing if I attempt to prepare andjoint some rough timber with this plane alone?" I won't be buying a Lie Nielsen until I'm sure I will use it!! Should I at least be getting a new blade (eg Ron Hock) for my Stanley plane. I don't want to put myself offjust because I haven't even got what you guys would call an entry level tool.
I am partly intrigued as to how possible it is for a novice to learn this. Also machines are really expensive here.
Any advice welcome.
Pete