Cutting a dai is an invaluable skill and will drastically improve your plane shavings as you’ll be able to fine tune every aspect of blade fit and position. Learn from master carpenter and blacksmith Jim Blauvelt as he presents a condensed version of his Cutting a Dai and Tuning Master Class: how to layout and cut a dai for a Japanese plane as well as tuning and adjustment techniques to take your planing to the next level.
Topics Covered
Selecting dai material, grain direction and considerations.
Layout and cutting of a dai to a blade set.
Tuning considerations for super thin shavings.
Advanced blade adjustments and tapping out.
Provided Materials
Practice Dai - Students will be provided with pre-milled (non-kashi) dai blocks for practice of the layout and cutting techniques.
Prerequisites
Prior experience with Japanese handplanes would be very helpful to get the most out of this experience. However all festival attendees are welcome. If you are a beginner, you may consider Our Introduction and Setup of the Japanese Hand Plane workshop prior to the festival.
Required Tools
The following tools are required to get the most out of your experience. A loner may be available but not guaranteed. A curated kit of premium Japanese tools will be available for purchase at checkout.
Your sharpening and basic kanna adjustment supplies
3mm Chisel (Oire Nomi)
6mm Chisel (Oire Nomi)
20mm or larger Chisel
300mm Sashigane / Square
Small Dai Saw
24mm Japanese Chisel (Brand new, unused, Tataki/Timber or Oire/Bench preferred)
Japanese Hammer
Optional Tools
Uncut, new kashi dai blank
Your unfitted blade set 48-70mm
Crane Neck Chisel
Slick (Usu Nomi)
Included in Friday Registration for the Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival
This special workshop is part of the Maine Japanese Woodworking Festival. Click below to learn more and register for the festival:
For recommended tools for this class and your woodworking career: