How to Tune Up a Relatively Cheap Plane

[Mike]

Hi Everyone

For those among us who are relatively new to using hand tools, I will be posting some decent 'how to' messages using media embedding.

Here's my first. It's from Fine Woodworking in the States and describes how to get the best performance from your common or ordinary block plane.


YouTube - How To Use and Tune Up a Hand Plane


This next one is by an Aussie bloke who tells you how to turn a cheap hand plane, in this case a No.7 Try plane by Record, into a good performer.


YouTube - Scott Horsburgh's How to turn a cheap hand plane into a magical tool.


John Welsford has talked about this and he swears he can get the same performance out of an 'el cheapo' as I get from my rather costly Lie-Nielsens. Judging by what I see in these clips, I think that is quite possible. However, I would suggest that my blades will hold a fine edge for considerably longer. Whether that's worth the premium price I paid is not something I can really comment on. I have very few cheap planes and they perform their task well enough. Still, there is something about the Lie-Nielsens that is very special to me. Perhaps it's in the way they feel in my hand.


Hope you all enjoy the clips. No doubt the experts among you will have something to say on this subject, so let's hear what the tradesmen here think.


Best wishes

[Philip]

l liked this alot some good tips, here is my tip. yes, we would all like to buy qauilty planes but for a good range from rebate to no7 plane the cost is high. the main problem with cheaper planes is the blade, most can not hold a edge. so if you grind the blade to a less acute angle leaving more steel at the edge . if you read my threads you will see l brought a no8 plane for a tenner this wouldnt hold a edge just crumbled after small mount of work, l changed the angle slightly and it shaves like a dream and stays sharp regards phil:cool_shades[1]:

[Mike]

I agree, Phil, that it's possible to fine tune cheaper planes. The cutting edge seems key to achieving good results, just as you say.

Any idea what angle you ended up using to improve the blade performance? I guess it was originally set at 25 degrees, was it?

Yes, I enjoyed these clips too. And, once you are on YouTube, you get a few others on the same subject presented to you. Some are complete rubbish, in my opinion, so I try to pick out those I think are little gems with some good, practical, ideas on 'em.

Let's face it, sharpening ain't rocket science but it does need doing regularly if you seek to have a fine finish to your work. And a tool with a lovely sharp edge on it is so much easier to use anyway. So, it's worth the effort. JW tells me he has 'sharpening days' when he does nothing but sharpening up his tools. Well worth that effort, in my opinion.

I don't own enough tools to have sharpening days. Most of my saws are the disposable type, so I have a big supply at hand. My chisels are all high quality but need constant sharpening to deliver the kind of performance I like.

The Lie-Nielsen blades are fantastic, beefy and with amazing stay sharp edges due to the material used to make 'em. I've never had a Lie-Nielsen chatter or let me down even once. And they need sharpening far less often than my cheaper planes. But you would expect that when paying the premium price. Noting that prices have risen quite sharply of late, I look at them as something of an investment in that I am confident they will always retain their value and will be snapped up if I offered 'em for sale. Not that I intend to do that but my heirs may wish to do it when I pop me clogs! There's a few grand tied up in tools, as you would know.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the clips. The board is so quiet lately I am beginning to wonder if it's all worth the effort. Nice to know the 'old faithfuls' are still out there. Perhaps we should just shut down registration completely and keep it a private site for the likes of you, me, and the old guard who keep coming back and joining in. What say you? ;)

Kind regards

[Philip]

the angle would be something like a 22 degree, but started as you state 25 degree , its not much but makes all the difference. regs phil

[Mike]

That last one had me thinking, Phil. Do you suggest a 'less acute' angle? If so, wouldn't that mean a greater angle than 25 degrees? I agree that more steel at the blade tip is desirable? I sharpen my blades initially at the recommended 25 degrees. Then, I put a 27 degree angle at the very edge of the cutting blade. Until recently, I did this by feel rather than with any measuring device.

I bought a Veritas honing guide on special a while back and that does the whole job for me. You simply set it to 25 degrees, then when you want the final edge, you rotate a knob at the pivot point, which is elliptical, and that lifts the blade a couple of degrees to achieve the 27 degree tip. Not a cheap bit of kit but very accurate and built to last. I do recommend it to anyone who is not really skilled with such things as sharpening - like me, of course.

Regards