Phil Mueller
01-22-2017, 10:20 AM
Just thought I'd share a few observations.
A friend asked if I would help him with a Stanley 62 he purchased a few years back to use as a shooting plane. Not exactly the highest rated of planes these days, but wanted to give it a go to see if all said was truly justified.
First, the sole is dead flat...certainly within any tolerance I'd be looking for in a longer plane. Second, the sides were exactly 90 degrees to the sole along the entire length as measured by my Starret guage. I have to admit I was both relieved and surprised.
I found the iron in reasonably good shape as well. The back needed a bit of flattening, but nothing out of the ordinary. The bevel also needed a bit of reshaping...just a bit out of square. The iron is A2 honed to 25 degree. Diamond stones were a bit slow, so pulled out the Norton water stones and had more luck.
The cap iron needed a few swipes to get a good mating to the iron, but again, nothing out of the ordinary.
I have to say, after a short amount of fettling, this plane works very well. I did not put it through any trials on face or edge planning, but certainly works well shooting.
I like the idea of using it for shooting, as adjustments are very, very, sloppy. But once dialed in, works great.
Again, just my experience for anyone looking to get an inexpensive plane.
352360
A friend asked if I would help him with a Stanley 62 he purchased a few years back to use as a shooting plane. Not exactly the highest rated of planes these days, but wanted to give it a go to see if all said was truly justified.
First, the sole is dead flat...certainly within any tolerance I'd be looking for in a longer plane. Second, the sides were exactly 90 degrees to the sole along the entire length as measured by my Starret guage. I have to admit I was both relieved and surprised.
I found the iron in reasonably good shape as well. The back needed a bit of flattening, but nothing out of the ordinary. The bevel also needed a bit of reshaping...just a bit out of square. The iron is A2 honed to 25 degree. Diamond stones were a bit slow, so pulled out the Norton water stones and had more luck.
The cap iron needed a few swipes to get a good mating to the iron, but again, nothing out of the ordinary.
I have to say, after a short amount of fettling, this plane works very well. I did not put it through any trials on face or edge planning, but certainly works well shooting.
I like the idea of using it for shooting, as adjustments are very, very, sloppy. But once dialed in, works great.
Again, just my experience for anyone looking to get an inexpensive plane.
352360