I recently picked up a very old spokeshave at an auction (basically similar to LV's "contour plane", but shaped more like their "low angle spokeshave"). What a treat - it works beautifully! It was quite sharp and adjusted well when I got it, and it already helped me smooth the inside of a curve on my bed project. What more can I ask for $5? Anyway, the body is partly cracked, and although I might be able to glue/screw it back together, I don't really consider that a permanent solution. It's not cracked all the way through, and I can sort of hold it together while I'm using it for now, but I don't want to have to always worry about that either. So I'm thinking it would be possible to fashion a new wooden body, and use the old blade. However, the blade is held in place with square "tangs" that friction-fit into square holes in the body. How would I drill a small (maybe 1/8"? I haven't measured) square hole? Or would a (smaller) round hole work?
-OR- Am I being way too cheap with this old mostly-broken spokeshave, and I should just get one of LV's "contour planes" for $13, or if I'm carving a body anyway, one of LV's spokeshave hardware kits for $30? Their spiffy new spokeshaves (low angle or the $75 one) sure look nice, but I'd rather save my plane money for something else that says LV or LN... So, how do I drill a square hole, or would it not be worth my time? Any advice? Thanks, Andy