LV Breakers ?

Re: LV Breakers ?

Jerry Nicholson

>I assume you are talking about chip breakers. When I queried LV about Hock or Clifton chip breakers they told me that they did not carry them. Woodcraft Supply has the Hock chip breakers for about $21. I have a couple of them and think they are great. Japan Woodworker has the Clifton 2 piece chip breakers. They are about $5 more expensive than the Hock breakers and don't come with the blade fastening bolt. The hole is threaded differently from a Stanley bolt but a really big Craftsman screwdriver will force the bolt into place.

Jerry

Re: LV Breakers ?

Chris Hedges

>Hi.First things first - Im new to this place so I apoligize if I break any unwritten rules. So on to the business - Although I tremendously enjoy LV planes, I have to admit that I am cconstantly dissapointed by their chip breakers. Finally got the time to call LV and talk to them about the problems I was having and was informed that no aftermarket chipbreakers existed nor were there any plans to develop one. Too bad cause I think these great planes could be even greater! Oddly enough, I had made a similiar call to LV a couple of months ago and seemed to get someone on the phone that claimed that their toothed blade coudl actualy be used as a chipbreaker. Sorry I cant remember item number. Hope that helps but Im sure it wasnt the answer you were look ing for.

Re: LV Breakers ?

mikew

>Hi Chris...hard to break rules where none really exist!

I'm unsure what the problem is about the LV chip breakers. If you want, please explain further. The rest below is my own observation as pertain to my LV planes I have or have had.

As thick as the LV plane irons are, a chip breaker only really comes into play when the plane is set for a rank cut. That is because a thin chip simply doesn't need broken.

So, if the chip breaker is fitted properly to the iron, that is it meets across the plane iron's back fully and tightly, it is filling half of its intended function--the other providing adjustment capabilities. All mine (except one) function as intended in both fit and adjustment.

On my #6, I did need to hone the end to make it seat fully and tightly when the bolt was snugged, but the others fit well (even though I did hone them to a knife edge too, just took less work).

Anyway, welcome. Mike

Re: LV Breakers ?

ThomD

>I think what I will do is make an O1 blade for the smoother that has holes in it to fit the adjuster, and just toss the regular blade and breaker. I have to see if I can find the right size drill to get a super fit for the adjuster since one of the great things about that plane is the zero backlash feature.

Re: LV Breakers ?

Chris Hedges

>Id say the biggest problem is that shavings (or chips? same thing?) tend to ride up between the breaker and back of blade. I gleen from your comments that I need to hone chipbreaker so that when tightly seated it makes full contact with blade.

I suppose that I feel some frustration in the fact that a tool which costs a good amount of money for a guy on a teaching salary needs 'tuning'. I understand that the time/money involved in making precise tools makes the price itself out of the range of most people, but the chipbreaker is one of those things that can be improved by the company and not the consumer.

Re: LV Breakers ?

Paul Kierstead

>Id say the biggest problem is that shavings (or chips? same thing?) tend to ride up between the breaker and back of blade.

That should definitely not happen with a LV plane. It is either defective or something is drastically out of adjustment.

Re: LV Breakers ?

mikew

>Hi Chris,

"Id say the biggest problem is that shavings (or chips? same thing?) tend to ride up between the breaker and back of blade. I gleen from your comments that I need to hone chipbreaker so that when tightly seated it makes full contact with blade."

If the shavings are getting stuck/jammed between the two, then, yup, need to hone or get a replacement. They will simply send you one and pay for the return on the original--if they even ask for it back. Good company.

"I suppose that I feel some frustration in the fact that a tool which costs a good amount of money for a guy on a teaching salary needs 'tuning'. I understand that the time/money involved in making precise tools makes the price itself out of the range of most people, but the chipbreaker is one of those things that can be improved by the company and not the consumer."

Two things. First, they cost a "lot" of money regardless of what one does for a living--try my income. I'll guarantee it's less than yours currently.

Second, the chipbreaker *is* something you can improve, unless you simply ask for a replacement. I've had to do the same on every maker's plane at one time or another. So unless the blade is bent (do check it across its width), then the chipbreaker is at fault (whether it is bent or malformed). This can either be the fault of the chipbreaker (most likely) or an issue of use. Make sure the screw is well tightened that attaches it to the blade.

In the scheme of things--regardless of one's income--it is not a big deal to fix or request a replacement.

Take care, Mike