Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 16, 2011 09:28pm | #1

   Dennis,

   With the iron bedded at common pitch (45*) a 30 degree bevel will give you15degrees of clearance behind the edge (more if it is bedded at a higher angle).  That's sufficient, and a 30 degree bevel is stronger (less likely to chip or curl) than a 20 degree bevel. If you are planing clear softwood it might not make much difference, but hitting a knot, or planing really hard wood is tough on a 20 degree edge.

   What you want to avoid is a too- steep angle on the bevel that provides insufficient clearance behind the edge.  You know you have this when the tool refuses to cut as soon as it is the least bit dull, at which point the iron is riding on the ever-so-slightly rounded over area behind the edge rather than the edge itself.

   Ray 

1. 
   dennisyurcik | Mar 17, 2011 08:19am | #2

   Thanks, Ray. I'll check the bed to see if its at 45 degrees. I should have double-checked that first since its a wooden plane and not a standard Stanley plane. If so, I'll try a 30 degree bevel on the iron and see how that works. I'm planning to use it on cherry and soft maple mostly, not really hard woods, but not pine either.