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A follow up spokeshave question for Bob Smalser *LINK*

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A follow up spokeshave question for Bob Smalser *LINK*

#1

A follow up spokeshave question for Bob Smalser *LINK*

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Bob, in your recent very helpful post on spokeshave tune up (link below), you say, "One important point often overlooked....after the shave is assembled and adjusted, tighten the cap iron slotted screw a bit to press the blade firmly against the casting before you tighten the knurled screw to apply a lot of cap iron pressure directly above the blade cutting edge. All the cap iron does is support the cutting edge....that slotted screw holds the cap iron-blade assembly against the casting."

This was news to me - I've always treated that central slotted screw as the pivot point for the cap iron. I will try your suggested approach, but I'm curious: does it also apply to the simpler iron shaves, like the 51, which is what I use? It would seem harder on those, since you set the iron by fussing around before tightening down the cap.


Bob's previous post on spokeshaves

Re: A follow up spokeshave question for Bob Smalser *LINK*

#2

Re: A follow up spokeshave question for Bob Smalse

Angelo in Cornwall, NY

>Bill, I think by keeping that screw tight, it actually makes it easier to adjust. I also use a 51, and with the "pivot" screw tight, fine adjusting the cutter is easier, as there is a friction fit. It may also be that by keeping the pivot tight, you actually cause the cap to flex when you tighten the thumbscrew, with a larger bearing surface on the blade. Just a guess on the latter part tho.

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