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What is the best way. To adjust the angle alignment of the blade in the Wood River block planes with the knuckle joint lever cap? Does one use hammer taps? Is there a way of adjusting the force that the lever cap closes with?

You never outgrow your need for milk or for good woodworking techniques.

Rob,
Really enjoyed your two posts on the first tools to buy in setting up a woodworking shop. Whenever someone says something which is nontraditional, people seem to come out of the woodwork to point out that they are nontraditional. Gina pointed out a survey which shows that the table saw is still number one. What would anyone expect? Sure it is the most common choice but that doesn't make it the best one. That is the problem with surveys. They are the last way of finding out "interesting" ideas - ideas which make you think.

I have thought about your choice of the thickness planer as number one and the bandsaw as number two. The first is a provocative idea. I need to think more about it. To me, the bandsaw is FAR more versatile and useful than a tablesaw. I am moving more toward handtools, so I am using my tablesaw less and less, but I can't get away from the use of my bandsaw.

To me, one cannot start a woodshop with one tool. One needs a bunch of them. Here is my recommend for the first bunch of tools that a person should acquire to start his own woodshop.
- circular saw
- jig saw
- router
- belt sander
- electric drill
- sandpaper, hammer, screwdrivers, Red Devil scraper, etc.
All of these can be bought at Sears or at Home Depot new for not much money, or can be bought used cheaply. With this set of tools, one can build wonderful furniture - very complex, sophisticated furniture with advanced joinery if that is what you want. You are just stuck with using dimensioned lumber from the local stores. BUT THAT AIN"T SO BAD if you are just starting out.

After you move past the use of this first set of tools, you should keep them as you buy your bandsaw, jointer, thickness planer, table saw, etc. They will come in handy. By the way, I would buy a jointer before buying a thickness planer. A thickness planer only reduces thickness, it doesn't flatten, unless you make an appropriate sled.

I enjoyed and profited from your posts. Thanks for making me think. Have fun.
Mel