Lever caps and adjuster

What kind of plane are the parts for?

Steve Elliott

>

Re: What kind of plane are the parts for?

Richard March

>A smoothing plane. I plan on building a A6 and/or A13 Norris style.

Re: Lever caps and adjuster *LINK*

Steve knight

>here you go.


stjames

Adjuster Sources

Steve Elliott

>Adjusters are available from Tony Murland. (Look in the Parts/Accessories section.) The screw threads are 28 tpi, which is coarser than many of the adjusters used on planes currently being produced, but finer than the adjusters Norris used originally.

One issue to keep in mind is that the chipbreaker screw will need to fit the banjo ring of the adjuster quite closely or there will be backlash. If you buy an adjuster it would be a good idea to ask if they can supply a chipbreaker screw that fits it.

You might also be able to buy one from Ray Iles, who is manufacturing a Norris-style plane with an adjuster that uses a 36 tpi thread.

Although the St. James Bay site doesn't mention it, they sell bronze castings of lever caps at a reasonable price. The rough casting was $12.50 a few years ago.

Re: Lever caps and adjuster

Russ Allen- Chicago

>Here's a picture of what both Steves are talking about. It's a scan from the St. James catalog.

Request a catalog- there is a lot more stuff in there than on their web site.

Russ Allen - Chicago

who has one more seat open for our July 31st Shepherd tool infill class! http://www.galootapalooza.org/

Re: Lever caps and adjuster *LINK*

William Duffield on the Cohansey

>Ben and Doug sell Norris style adjusters.

The Shepherd Tool Company

While you are there, you might ask them if they will sell lever caps and screws individually, since they manufacture them for their completed planes and whole plane kits. I haven't asked them such a question, but I would be surprised by a "no" answer.

If you have the equipment to mill dovetails, you might also consider milling a lever cap from bar stock instead of casting it. My impression (but I'm just an infill groupie, so what do I know) is that many modern infill makers have taken that approach. Raw materials for milling your own can be obtained from MSC, McMaster-Carr, ENCO and the like.

Re: Lever caps and adjuster

Jim Yehle in Salt Lake

>I got a nice adjuster and lever cap casting from Bristol Design. (No web site, but email Charles Stirling at tools@bristol-design.co.uk works.) They also offer hand-forged carving tools & chisels; I really like a paring chisel of theirs. The adjuster's knob doesn't have traditional knurlings, which is really my only complaint. Their prices are reasonable, but you need to pay for shipping from England.

Vlad Spehar will sell you Stephen Thomas' adjuster for $155, which is pretty steep, but I'm guessing that the workmanship is exceptional. It uses an innovative attachment method, pivoting on the head of a cap screw sunk deep into the infill, rather than a plate.

Spehar Toolworks

Good luck, and have fun!

Jim