Mr Davidson’s Grandfather’s Plane

[Windows]

I was walking past an architect’s office near the British Museum and noticed they had some hand tools in the window. I hadn’t seen a plane that looked exactly like this one before so thought I’d take a picture. Apologies for the reflections.

 

[AJB Temple]

Unusual. Adjustable guide peg at the front is not something I've ever seen before.

 

[Windows]

Here’s the other picture I took:

 

[toolsntat]

Of their type a very nicely executed example.
That is assuming it was knocked up by a user or their relative/friend who had access to a metal working establiment.
Some are worthy of a collecting niche all of their own
I like the nicker arrangement along with likely a depth stop on the other side and the missing fence.
Cheers, Andy

EDIT to say thanks for the second picture which shows it going the extra mile with the v shaped bed and reciprocal iron.
Worthy of any modern high end production plane today
And saying that I bet the fence had some wonderful contrivance to make it work...

 

[AndyT]

Yes, a nice example, worth copying. It wouldn't need any exotic machine tools to make it, though I expect some people would want a milling machine and bench drill, which could speed the job up a bit.

It looks to me as if the front has a pair of nickers, clamped together, which would score both sides of the groove/housing that was being cut. So it would be just as good across the grain as it would going with the grain.

 

[Windows]

I guess the architects, Rodic Davidson, treat their window displays as “exhibitions”. Here’s a page with links to the current and previous exhibitions.

Exhibitions Archive | Rodić Davidson

To view past exhibits and exhibitions featured at Rodić Davidson, please click here. Architecture is an art form, and we appreciate all aspects of art here.

rodicdavidson.co.uk

The photography on their page is a little more moody than it is informative, but you can see some of the other planes that were in the window.

 

[AndyT]

I see what you mean. Although the Record 072/3/4 (I can't see how wide it is in that side view) is missing its handle/blade clamp, it's still visually interesting, but not as interesting as the one you photographed. Either way, it's good to see old tools getting some appreciation in public.

 

[derekcohen]

VERY nice! That is a plough plane dedicated to a 1/8" groove or dado. What confused me at first was what looked like a solid, wide toe. This is made to look wider as it is aligned against the depth stop (on the other side). No fence? Runs agains a straight edge?

What a brilliant concept. I shall make one or two but add provision for a fence.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[spb]

No fence? Runs agains a straight edge?

I'd assumed that the two large holes in the upper body were for missing fence rails.

 

[Windows]

I’ve exchanged a couple of very pleasant emails with Mr Davidson, director of Rodic Davidson, and learned that this plane was created by his grandfather, that threaded steel dowels connect a second section (presumably the fence), and that he has more amazing tools created by his grandfather. He suggested that he might be able to pull more tools together for an exhibit. I’m sure he’s a busy fellow, but I hope he gets a chance to do so. Seems like there’d be a fair amount of interest on this forum at least.