Chinese Hollow & Round
Alan Hamilton
>Y'all,
I have been looking for some hollows and rounds for a while. That I now live in a used tool Sahara, and having taken the pledge to never again buy used tools sight-unseen, left me with few alternatives. Soooo...
I ordered a pair of a Chinese hollow and round from Woodcraft--thinking that if they're unusable I can always cut up the pretty rosewood for pulls or sommat. They arrived, and I think there will be small need to cut them up.
They aren't the largest or heaviest planes ever made, they're only about 6"x4"x1". But they look like they'll work out.
The bodies are nicely shaped and finished. They fit very well in even my slightly over-sized paws; and they have a silky-smooth feel that's so nice. Their mouthes are well formed, with perfectly flat beds. The irons and wedges fit just-right snug; and with the irons in place the mouthes are very fine (rather than too wide--the usual trouble). The mouthes even have copper wear-plates set into their front lips.
The irons aren't the heaviest steel I have seen. A first impression was that they are too thin. But upon reflection, perhaps they aren't too thin. These planes aren't made for big, tough use; they are made for lesser work, and perhaps the irons are just right. I'll soon find out (if I ever get out of this &%$&@#ing wheelchair).
The back of the irons look almost like they came straight from the forge. They have the "hammered" look to them. It appears I will have a lot of fun getting them flat and shiney. Hmmm...maybe it's time to dig out my Makita wet grinder.
If anyone is interested I'll report further when I get to sink them into some wood.
Alan (who sees the orthopod Tuesday. Hope, hope.)