Got a mortise float!

Brent Dowell

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Reno NV
And dang, is it nice. It's sharp. Surprisingly so.

Now I just need to figure out how to sharpen it. If there's one thing I've learned using edge tools on this rock maple I've got, It's that everything needs sharpening, often.

Should be fun to play with!

mortisefloat.jpg
 
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Cool. :thumb: I had to look up "mortise float" to be sure what it was used for, but it looks like one of those "don't need it often but it's very handy when I do" kind of tools.
 
Yeah, I'm making a tusk tenon joint, and since it will be exposed and structural, this will let me really clean it up nicely.

28.jpg
 
The iwasaki carving files have a similar cutting action
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/iwasaki-carving-files.aspx
Also sold as "japanese mill toothed files" by LV
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=63451&cat=1,42524

The main difference between these and what Brent has is that his is narrower and more heavily made which makes it a bit easier to get a flat/true surface.

Often used by plane makers as well, which have a narrow "side" float for getting into the cheeks and a wider float (more like what Brent has) for the bed of the plane.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=69096&cat=1,42524

Lie Neilsen probably has the best selection.
https://www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/4081/floats

As to sharpening - here ya go :) You can't really sharpen the iwasaki (luckily they aren't to expensive). I'd be tempted to do alternate teeth from the other side just to offset for any wiggle in my file work (but I ain't Larry Williams either...).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGqDnXVA4c
 
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