block plane on feathers?

[Prarie Bowyer]

Anyone ever tried to use a block plane to trim up feathers?

I had an idea for a quiet way to clean up feather quill bases using a blaock plane and feathers clamped in a jig?

[Sasquatch]

I havent done that but I foresee the feather pulling up and out of jig.  Try a fine metal file  

[Prarie Bowyer]

or sanding block.  But I'm going to try the block plane first.  A sharp blade and ultra fine cut should work I think.

[twisted hickory]

let us know how it works
Greg

[ksnow]

There was an article a while back in PA magazine where a guy used a spokeshave with a block jig of sorts to trim the vanes down.

Kyle

[stickbender]

     If you try this, you might want to turn your plane blade over, with the bevel up, as it will not be so prone to grab the quill, and have the most minimal blade exposure as possible, and still be able to cut.   And be sure the blade is "SCARY SHARP" !!   But how are you going to clamp the feather, and not plane the clamp?   If you have a block plane, you could put side rails on a jig, but that is a lot of trouble, when you could just use a sanding block.   Just my most humble opinion, but by all means try it, and let us know the results, could be something new to do, or...... not to do.  We learn by trying, and by looking at others mistakes, as the old poster used to say,...... "Behold the turtle, he makes no progress, till he sticks his neck out.

                                                  Wayne

[Dan K]

Belt sander works great.

[tipi stuff]

I'm with Dan. Belt sander is the way to go.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Take 2 pieces of 16 guage steel plate.
Put your feather in between. Clamp into a vise.
Then carefully, with the plane set for SMALL shavings, go slowly across the feather. It works.
I will take pics of my rig tommorow.
BE SURE THE EDGES OF THE STEEL ARE SMOOTH!!!! otherwise the blade will catch on them and it rips up feather, steel, and blade.

[Youngboyer2(billyf)]

I just use a razor blade... I guess I'm behind

[Slackbunny]

I just use a razor blade... I guess I'm behind

Same.

[bhenders]

Take 2 pieces of 16 guage steel plate.
Put your feather in between. Clamp into a vise.

Source for steel plate:  HomeDepot, Lowes... etc... Door kicks work well for this.  Just cut them in half or however long you want the clamp.  For a hinge - duct tape works well.  Then two small plastic clamps on the sides to securely clamp the feather in the holder.  Then I use a small sander to sand them down.

Edit:  If the feathers keep slipping in the jig, just rub a little wax on the plates to help hold the feathers in place.

[Outbackbob48]

Just strip your feathers, no cutting, sanding or planing, just strip an glue on burn to shape.

[Prarie Bowyer]

Ok.  It works.

Yes I use the scary sharp method and I set my plan to take a whisper shaving. 

The controll on the razor blade was alwayse an issue for me.

Stripping caused a mess for me.  the feathers dried all wiggly and wobbly.

Belt sander is out because the dust to breath is not good and the noise.  Most of my bow/ arrow work is done between 9:30 and 12:00 at night with either close neighbors or in the case of arrows a child and spouse sleeping just over my head.

the motifating factor here was precision, mess and sound controll.

it works.. mostly.

[swamp monkey]

I have  jig made of two pieces of wood that I use to sandwich the feather.  After doing all I care to with a razor or exacto I use a sanding block.  Simple and works well for me. 

Interesting that the block plane worked for you.  I love to see folks experiment.