HELP: old planes, new blades/chip breakers

Dec 22, 2010 4 Replies

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Zz Yzx 15 years ago

I've been restoring a few old Stanley planes for use. I've been fitting out most of them with Hock blades and Clifton chip breakers. Most have come out as excellent users.

I have a Sweetheart vintage No. 3 that I've brought to near-perfection. Except for ONE detail:

When I use the Hock iron and the Clifton chip breaker, I can't adjust the blade to zero cut; it still protrudes 1/16" or so from the sole.

AN obvious solution is to grind the Hock blade back enough, but I don't have the equipment.

Any alternatives?

Thanks a heap.

-Zz

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Father Haskell 15 years ago

60 grit alox paper. Eclipse guide. Lots of elbow grease.

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Jeff Gorman 15 years ago

"Zz Yzx" wrote

Yes, this is a well-known problem when using blades thicker than the Stanley/Record standard. You need either to extend the reach of the yoke - by brazing or silver soldering an extension or soldering tabs to the cap iron above and below the yoke aperture. These need to fit inside the slot in the blade.

Both are tricky jobs, but altering the blade will not solve the problem.

I think that somewhere in UKWorkshop forum's archive you might find pics illustrating these jobs. I wrote a piece in the British Good Woodworking mag in Autumn 2006, Issue 180.

Jeff

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Larry Jaques 15 years ago

True, but 1/16" goes pretty quickly on a coarse, 2x6" diamond honing plate, and you'll only have to do it once every other generation. Your grandkids will need to replace the blade, but your kids won't. ;)

-- Remember, in an emergency, dial 1911.

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RicodJour 15 years ago

There's nothing like a little British understatement - in the US we have Fine Woodworking. ;)

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