Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
measuring for new plane blades
woodenLeg
>A friend of mine called and said" I have some new (to me) hand planes. No blades and can't find names or numbers. I'm going over there this weekend and I was wondering how do you measure a plane for ordering the proper blade and where I might look for them? Any help?
Thanks , Dave
A pic is worth a thousand words...
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond, CA
>If'in you we can't see 'um...
Scott always told he had a hollow leg to fill up come dinner time not a woodwen one...
;^)
Re: measuring for new plane blades
Jack Guzman from Maine
>If you measure from side to side in the mouth opening at the sole you should get the width you need.As far as any other dimensions,it will depend on the style of plane.(thickness,length,taper,slots,etc.)Post pictures and you'll get better answers.---Jack
it doesn't sound like you want to make them
Gary B. in Central NY
>So, if it's a stanley/bailey type plane, just get the model (#4,5, etc) and order the appropriate blade from lee valley, hock, etc. good luck
Re: measuring for new plane blades
Bill Houghton, retired fun in Sebastopol, CA
>Keep in mind that bench type planes usually have some side clearance, so the opening for a 2" iron will be a bit larger, though not enough in my experience for you to confuse it with a 2-3/8" iron's opening - though I believe (no direct experience) that there are some subtle sizes, like 2-1/8" in some infill planes.
Rabbeting planes are pretty easy - the width of the body = width of iron, with the "neck" of the iron again having some side clearance.
It would be surprising...
Jim Reed @ Tallahassee
>if only the blades were missing. Other mia parts are wedges, chip breakers, lever caps, adjuster screws...the list goes on. As said, please post pictures. We are all just briming with free advice.