CT-18: First Peek

April, 5th, 2012

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“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
–Albert Einstein

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We have been working on the CT-18 for over a year. I made a pledge a few months ago that we would never again make a plane without the ability to add depth skids. The ability to plane to an exact thickness is just an incredible experience.

 

Of course this can be accomplished by other means but the work involved is tedious and often wasteful. Furthermore, these skids are rounded to allow for tapered cuts–think louvers.

 

Many more details will come out after I get back from Italy, so kindly save your questions for later. That said, please meet the 2010 CT-18, a Dual Angle, Low Angle Smoother;

 

 

 

I would like to thank you all for the fun spirit demonstrated during the guessing phase. I think this is a great way to connect with each other, and I trust you all know that we were all having fun. I have said this before, but it is worth repeating, I take my work very serious and to balance my life, I use the blog to have fun. Oh, don’t forget, with the exception of Bob Metzger, you are all still losers… Oops…looks like I am still having fun…

 

It is also easy to see that my display stand clue was a prop for the top image. And speaking of images, if you would like a better look at the CT-18, we have hi-res wallpapers of the top image above available in the screen resolutions listed below. Simply click on the link and it should automatically download.

 

30″ iMac
1280 x 1024
1600 x 900
1600 x 1200
1680 x 1050
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1200
2560 x 1440

 

If your resolution is not here, drop us a line and we will make one for you.

 

As always, your comments are welcome.

 

–John

20 comments on this post:

  4. John,

    Simply gorgeous, I have many questions that I’m sure will be answered when you return.

    Enjoy the trip.

    -Rutager

  5. John,

    A true work of art!
    Have a creative time in Italy!
    hmmm, which area?
    Is there a Design show on the agenda?

    cheers,
    roger

    .

  6. Thanks Roger. Will be in Rome during Easter, then off to the Milan Furniture Fair with stops in Florence and Venice in between.

    From a designer’s perspective, Italy is the motherload of creative passion. Got any tips?

    –John

  8. Ahhhhh. CT-18. Wow. And wow. I’m looking forward to having some questions answered, but I’ll wait until you get back from Italy. Amazing job on the plane design, John. Congratulations. I hope that you’re pleased with your efforts. Once again, you’ve redefined hand planing. It must be fun to push the envelope so far and so fruitfully.

    I’m totally envious of your Italy trip. If you can’t get inspired about design in Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, then you’re probably dead. I hope that you’ll drop some pearls of wisdom here in your blog during your trip.

    Again: NICE PLANE!!!

    — Peter

  9. Hey I guessed correctly on half its function and that it was for a plane….you cheated by not telling me it was a close guess. This means I will just have to unsubscribe as a civil protest….

  11. John,

    Now that we have several “skidded” planes coming our way, can you suggest the range of pin gauges that would be useful for setting the height of the skids?

    Also any brands or vendors you might recommend?

    Thanks,
    Rutager

  12. Rutager: email Masood, he bought a very inexpensive set in Indianapolis. Since these are only going to be for setting depth skids, the least expensive will work fine.

    John

  13. Rutager,
    Wouldn’t it make sense to use your planer or jointer with a vernier caliper to make specific blocks to set the depth of the “skidded” planes rather than spending money on pin gauges? I am interested in knowing the logic of using pin gauges for this.
    Thanks for your consideration,
    Allan

  14. Rutager,

    I got a really cool and complete set of Pin Gages for $69 at http://www.wholesaletoolcompany.com.
    I checked them, they are more accurate than my calipers. More than good for woodworking.
    check their web site they have a dozen of sets from $22 to $169. And some comes in Walnut boxes too. well walnut looking…

    Masood

  15. Allan,

    First, pin gages are relatively inexpensive, and you can use them for other things, sanding, measuring holes, etc.

    More important, they are fast! If you want to plane strips say exactly to .250″, simply put the .255 pin gage under the front of the plane, and the .254″ under the rear and drop your skids. The difference is inconsequential. The final depth is reached with blade depth adjustments.

    Of course you can make wooden ones, but the speed of using pin gages just cannot be beat.

    Rutager may have better reasons, or Masood too.

    -John

  16. All,

    Funny story about how Masood got his pins: we were in John’s Tool Making Class last year and unknown to us, Masood had been wanting to get to a local tool company to pick up some pin gauges after John mentioned them to the class. Since class ran past the store’s hours, he couldn’t get there after class. When time came to drill pilot holes for screws, it turned out the school didn’t have the number sized bits needed, well Masood “generously” volunteered us to make the tool run to get the bits, so we get to the tool store and I end up filling the class order while Masood corners his own salesman and attempts to melt his credit card. He did pretty good. John, you’ll need to keep closer tabs on Masood this year.

    Allan,

    I just blindly follow John’s advice, he hasn’t led me astray yet. Besides the setting of the skids, I can see the pins being useful with the DJ-1 for offset drilling.

    Best,
    Rutager

  17. Amazing looking plane.
    I was thinking how would the next line of bench planes will look like, and expected the stainless and aluminum to be used. Love the tote!
    Stainless body with black can also look great with dark hardwood tote and mushroom. Sure the tote is not milled from one billet with the body, or is it? From one piece after waterjet cut?
    I just had a talk with my CT 17 explaining him that a big brother was born and coming soon, and he seems to like it as well.
    Wondering if possible to have a quick lock for the depth skids, like one leveler per side that will lock both screws. Or screws with knobs that will need no tools to adjust.
    Sure it is possible to use one skid as a fence for squaring edges, are the two holes down there at the fence for this reason? To add a block bringing the fence to the iron line?
    And again, the tote, wow! :0)

  20. Maybe you can take a look at this while you are there and let us know how it is done: google “Giuliano da Majano Gubbio Studiolo Panel” and choose the Images view of results. Wow.

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