Online Plane Making Classes with Scott Meek

Please use this list as a general guideline, not as set in stone requirement. If you have a different option you feel does the same thing as another tool listed, by all means ask me about it. If you have any questions regarding the list or a lack of some of the tools, again, ask me about it. There are usually ways around a missing tool. If you would like a printable version of this list, click here.

• Band saw, table saw, or hand saw
• Drill (drill press preferable)
• Crosscut Saw (hand, chop saw, etc.)
• Router (For routing a notch for the cap iron on the blade. Can be done with mortice chisels also, if need be)
• Block plane
• Hammer/mallet
• Bastard mill file
• Clamps
• Square
• Straight edge
• Protractor
• Screwdriver
• Chisels (1/2", 1 1/4" is helpful also if you have it)
• A way to sharpen the blade
• Sandpaper
• ⅜ Drill bit
• A way to mill stock (hand planes or planer and jointer)
• A coarse rasp (Or other way to fine tune the shape of your plane)

These tools are helpful, but not required:

• ⅜” Plug cutter
• Spindle sander
• Spokeshaves
• Fine cut rasp
• Card scraper
• Winding sticks
• Plane makers floats
• Marking gauge

Justin Leib, aka The Half-Blind Woodworker, wrote this fine review of the class here on his website! Al Flinck wrote this review of the class on his blog here.

As an avid woodworker I have admired the wood body planes made by Scott Meek for some time. Recently I had the opportunity to take a class in their making, led by Scott, and I jumped at the chance. What a treat. Scott shares his experiences freely, guiding you through the process and options, and away from the things that you otherwise only learn when it goes wrong. While new to me, the online format gave me access to a top toolmaker and instructor without the cost and inconvenience of travel. In the end I had a nice smoothing plane, the knowledge and confidence to make others, and a tremendous sense of satisfaction that comes from making my own fine tools. And I also have a few new friends who share my passion for woodworking. -Barry Chatwin

Scott has clearly built many fine hand planes and access to that experience through live instruction is worth the price of admission. It's really inspiring to arrive at the end of the class with a fine hand plane of your own and enough knowledge to build many more. -Trevor Angell

I would highly recommend Scott's Online Classes. Not only do you get access to Scott's accumulated experience and wisdom, but you get it in the comfort of your own shop! -James Finley Highly recommend this class.  This is a class that will teach you not just how to make a wooden hand plane, but how to make the first of many wooden planes.  Scott gives the students the tools to learn the craft, then demonstrates the methods in an interactive video class in a way that makes the instructions come alive in a series of "Ah HA!" moments.  If you've ever wanted to make your own wooden plane but don't know where to start, this is the class for you. -Josh O'Quin  

I will walk you through making a smoothing plane, 8-11" long, approximately 3" wide, and with a 2" wide blade. It will have a bed angle of 50°. The plane will be made using a laminated method popularized by James Krenov. You will be able to take the lessons learned in this class and make many different planes to meet your needs.    

These classes will be live, using the Hangout feature of Google+. The live portion of the class will consist of approximately half observation/demonstration and half following along working on your plane. Because of this, you will need to have a way to watch the live session in your shop. A laptop or tablet are your best options. Between each session (of which there are four), there will be homework to accomplish. Any documents, images, or diagrams relative to the class are shared via a Google Drive folder that you will have access to when signed up for the class.

I've listed multiple options for the wood size choice in order to make it easy to find something that will work. You only need one of the listed sizes, not all of them. As always, if you have any questions about the materials, please contact me.

• Quarter sawn hardwood (Beech, White Oak, Maple, Red Oak, Birch, or similar) in one of the following dimensions:
  • 4/4 nominal (minimum ¾” finished thicknes) 3 ½” x 66”
  • 6/4 nominal (minimum 1 ⅛” finished thickness) 3 ½” x 42”
  • 10/4 nominal (minimum 2 ¼” finished thickness) 3 ½” x 24”
  • 16/4 nominal (minimum 3 ¼” finished thickness) 3 ½” x 12”

• 2" plane blade with chipbreaker. (Hock Krenov blade preferred) http://hocktools.com/PI.htm I recommend the 2" x 4½ #PLI200 I do sell these blades as a package with the class with free shipping!
• PVA Glue (Titebond 1, 2, or 3)

The class consists of four sessions that last between 1 1/2 to 3 hours. In between the classes there is homework to accomplish which will be between 1 and 4 hours (approximately).

I've limited the classes to four people.

Taking this class online has a few benefits.

• You won't have to travel anywhere to take it (saving money on the associated costs that travel would entail)
• You get to use your own shop and tools that you are already familiar with
• It keeps the class cost down. Because so much of the work on your plane happens during homework, it cuts down the time that you are paying me to stand there and watch. It also means I'm not charging extra for the travel time I had to get to wherever the class is happening.

The current schedule is below and is also available in a calender form here.

• February 2013 class (#4)
  • Session #1, Feb 18, 8pm-9:45pm EST
  • Session #2, Feb 20, 8pm-10pm EST
  • Session #3, Feb 22, 8pm-10:30pm EST
  • Session #4, Feb 23, 3pm-5:30pm EST
• March 2013 class (#5)
  • Session #1, March 11, 6:30pm-8:15pm EST
  • Session #2, March 13, 6:30pm-8:30pm EST
  • Session #3, March 15, 6:30pm-9pm EST
  • Session #4, March 16, 3pm-5:30pm EST
• Tuesday Nights in March
  • Session #1, March 5, 9pm-10:45pm EST
  • Session #2, March 12, 9pm-11pm EST
  • Session #3, March 19, 9pm-11:30pm EST
  • Session #4, March 26, 9pm-11:30pm EST
• April  Monday/Wednesday class (#6)
  • Session #1, April 15, 6pm-7:45pm EST
  • Session #2, April 17, 6pm-8pm EST
  • Session #3, April 22, 6pm-8:30pm EST
  • Session #4, April 24, 6pm-8:30pm EST
• April/May 2013 class (#7)
  • Session #1, April 30, 6pm-7:45pm EST
  • Session #2, May2, 6pm-8pm EST
  • Session #3, May 4, 3pm-5:30pm EST
  • Session #4, May 5, 3pm-5:30pm EST
• May 2013 class (#8)
  • Session #1, May 20, 8:30pm-10:15pm EST
  • Session #2, May 22, 8:30pm-10:30pm EST
  • Session #3, May 25, 3pm-5:30pm EST
  • Session #4, May 27, 8:30pm-11pm EST
• Thursday Nights in May (#9)
  • Session #1, May 9, 9pm-10:45pm EST
  • Session #2, May 16, 9pm-11pm EST
  • Session #3, May 23, 9pm-11:30pm EST
  • Session #4, May 30, 9pm-11:30pm EST
• Wednesday Mornings in June class (#10)
  • Session #1, June 5, 9am-10:45am EST
  • Session #2, June 12, 9am-11am EST
  • Session #3, June 19, 9am-11:30am EST
  • Session #4, June 26, 9am-11:30am EST

   

The class is $135.00. The blade from Hock Tools that I recommend is $56. (If you order the blade from me when you order the class, you will get free shipping). Wood prices and options vary with what is available to you.

Yes I do. Rates for these private classes are as follows: 1 person- $350, 2-3 people- $175 each, 4-6 people- $100 each. Use the contact form if you would like to inquire about a private group class.