help tuning hand planes

Re: help tuning hand planes

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Is this a corner of the blade digging in? Many relieve the corners because of this. I do not, partly because I also use the LA Jack and Smoother on my shooting boards. Nevertheless, I do not experience this problem as I carefully allign the blades by feel rather than just sight. What do you do?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: help tuning hand planes

Mark in Chalfont PA

>Derek,

I line the blade by both sight and touch. This is a mystery to me. I even went out an purchased a book to help. I followed (or at least think I followed) the steps and still the same thing happens. I sharpened my small chariot plane the same way and it is fine. Maybe it's the mind that need sharpening...

Mark

Re: help tuning hand planes

Alan Hamilton

>Mark,

Being quite stupid, I need some more information. I have no clear idea what your plane is doing wrong.

Where does the gouge form? at the edge of the iron, or the middle? What kind of a gouge do you get? like a trench the width of the iron? a narrower gouge with a round bottom? or exactly what? How did you sharpen the iron, with a radius on the edge, straight across, or straight across with the corners rounded? How do you set the depth of the iron (believe it or not, this can matter a great deal)?

All of the above stuff--and lots more besides--can affect the way a plane works. Without a bit more information I would be guessing about what's wrong. But perhaps others can devine the answer without knowing more.

Alan

Re: help tuning hand planes

Mark in Chalfont, PA

>Alan,

Thanks for asking these good questions. I will get back to you with all the specifics you ask for to help me out.

I have been working late and apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I am still in need of help.

Thanks,

Mark