Bill Carter Handmade Planemaker.

Bill & Sarah would like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and all their kind words praising Bill's planes and the work that he does.

 Updated Monday 14/5/09  About Bill

New Updated Sunday 28/6/09.  Latest Project.

New Updated Sunday 28/6/09  For Sale  

 Updated Monday 17/6/08  Last Project 1

Updated Wednesday 16/7/08 Last Project 2

Updated Tuesday 28/10/08  Last Project 3

       Updated Friday 29/5/09  Technique's   7) Adjusting a Carter Plane Using Hide Mallets.                    6) Marking and Cutting the Dovetails on the Base. 5) Sharpening an iron.  4) Cutting the Bevel at      the Bottom of the Bed.  3) Forming the Double Dovetail.  2)  Making the Tongue and Groove Joint.      1) Colouring metal.

     Updated Thursday 11/6/09 News/Events.  Photo's at West Dean College Sussex.                                    

 Updated Sunday 3/8/08  Miscellaneous,

Email bill.sarahcarter@hotmail.co.uk

Tel 0116-2762513

 Welcome to Bill & Sarah's site. 

New 18/6/09

A large Box Tree in Leicestershire, A Mini Adventure.

Today I went with 2 of my mates Richard and Matthew to see this large Boxwood tree, I last saw it 10 years ago.  I measured girth it was 46", it is not as big as I remembered and it has probably lost a large section, ie. a branch from this part of the tree.  Recently 2 branches have been cut off higher up as it was beginning to tilt.  I bought the 2 branches, they are massive. (see below).

They measure 46" in length, pity it is green and not seasoned, they weigh a ton.

One of the pieces I have sawn into 7" lengths, this is my second cut, notice to lovely colour of this tree, no black in it.

Having sawn most of it into 7" lengths, I then ran a saw cut down the length on the North growing side of each billet, which is the shortest distance from the heart to the bark.  Boxwood trees always grow like this and the South side you always get slightly darker wood, this is the bit I love to use in my planes.  I'm hoping these saw cuts will prevent shakes when each piece dries out.

The second log I sawn a similar length off each end leaving 30" which was the straighest bit.  I was hoping to leave it in the round, but decided I dare not take the risk because of the stresses involved when drying out.

I finished up sawing this piece in half, because of no machinery I did it all by hand with a hand saw, this took my most part of the day and I was completly shattered.  I should sleep alright tonight, as long as nothing aches.

I went on to strip all the bark off with a draw knife, but forgot to take pictures.  The sap on the South side of the tree was really coming out.  The heart wood appeared to be dryish this does show up on the end grain pictures.  I won't be buying any more Boxwood as I think this will last me out, but I hope I'm wrong.

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New  29/5/09