Hello All,
I recently bought an old stanley #4 bench plane and I was wondering about getting a replacement blade. I was told that a thick replacement blade would cut down on the chatter and produce a better quality cut. I have one question though. What is thick? I saw on lie-nielsens webpage that they sell .095″ thick blades for the stanley #4. Is this considered thick? Thanks for the help.
Replies
goggle Hock blades
Every thing else is a wanta be
The LN Stanley replacment blades are excellent. I have several in my old Stanley's.
The reason they do not make the blades thicker, is that if they did so, they wouldn't work well in the Stanley's without modifications (filing the mouth, etc.). The parts on the old Stanley's (e.g., the length of the main bolt that hold the blade assembly to the frog, etc) were not made to accomodate super thick blades.
I beleive Hock's replacment blades are a bit thicker, and they are excellent quality. So if you really want thick, check our Ron Hock's site.
Hock's and LN "Stanley replacement blades are the same thickness -- .095. The regular LN for a #4 is .125 (1/8th) and may or may not work in your plane without modification. Both companies are excellent.
You might also take a look at the "Samurai" brand replacement blades they sell in the Japan Woodworker catalog. I have one of these in an old Millerfalls plane and have been pleased with the edge it holds. As for the Hock brand and the LN brands these are very nice blades as well.
take care.
Troy
Most metal bench planes sold today have a blade at least 1/8" thick. Wooden planes typically have thicker blades, say, up to about 1/4".
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
(soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
The 0.94-0.95 blades sold by L-N, and Lee Valley are both thicker than the standard blade, which was 0.80-inches thick.
The blades from L-N, and Lee Valley will work in the older planes without having to mess with the throat of the plane, and/or adjust the frog back.
The .125-inch Hock blades normally require some reworking of the throat, and/or the frog location.
Thicker blades chatter less, resulting in a smoother cut. But, if your taking fine shavings off, I don't think it will be enough sitffer to make a difference you will be able ot detect.
Hello sk,
I must second the Hock nomination. I fitted an old Stanley No.3 with a Hock iron. With the Hock blade and a little bit of fetteling on the plane, I now have the sweetest lil No.3. I will fight to the death anyone who tries to take her away!
Bob, Tupper lake, NY
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