I took a straightedge to 4 of my stanley planes last night because I figured that after several years of using them I should probably find out of they;re straight…..
I checked the 8, 7, 5, 4, and 3 and found that the straightedge allowed a bit of light under it at the middle of each plane along the length of the sole.
It appeared that all of them are “sprung”. I know that the mouth is supposed to be even with the toe and heel, but I have used the 7 quite a bit for edge jointing boards, one at a time, NOT match planed, and although this geometry indicates that the edges should drop a bit at both ends, and not mate well in those areas, this has not been a problem once I learned the trick of pressing on the front of the plane at the beginning of the stroke and ending with pressure on the heel.
Any thoughts on this? I’m not looking to enter the flat sole society or anything, but since all of these are differing vintages up to WWII, it seemed odd that they all shared the same geometry.
I was relieved to find that none exhibited any sign of twist.
HB
Replies
With enough time and thought you will be able to prove to yourself that all of the successful work you've done with them was just a figment of your imagination.
Edited 10/15/2007 4:58 pm ET by TaunTonMacoute
A theoretical astrophysicist friend once told me that if theory and reality do not match it is probably reality that is to blame.
Atlanta, GA
Galoot-Tools
Same with mine, and then I realised that watching the flat sole society was fun, I didn't have to be a member.
I figured that after several years of using them I should probably find out of they;re straight.....
HB,
Sometimes we ask too many questions. How's that go....If it ain't broke.....?
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