KK 4 1/2 Refinished and Fitting a LN .140 blade

[Johnny Kleso]

I spent today putting together my latest refinishing job, a nice 4 1/2 Keen Kutter (Bedrock)

I was also taking pics for my website rebuild this fall..

Here's soe of the images
http://stanleyplanes.home.comcast.net/photos/content/bin/images/large/kk4.5_4.jpg

I had to lenghten a blade screw which I am making some soon..
http://stanleyplanes.home.comcast.net/photos/content/bin/images/large/kk4.5_6.jpg

The lever cap screws I see that the newer ones are about 1/8" longer than the old one and seen to work just fine..

I had plans to make some of these but Stanley sells them for $1.00
http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/leverscrew.html

http://stanleyplanes.home.comcast.net/photos/content/bin/images/large/kk4.5_8.jpg


You can see all the images I took today here

http://stanleyplanes.home.comcast.net/photos/
Enjoy

[Joel Goodman]

Thanks for the link and the lever cap screw information as to the length -- I was looking for one a little longer than the original (type 15) -- and there was your post!

[Matt Z Wilson]

Hey Johnny,

can you tell me the dimensions on the mouth of that plane? I'm going to try something similiar, and due to budgetary issues for the project want to know if I can fit a .120 blade in my stanley before I pull the trigger. thanks

[Johnny Kleso]

Hi Matt,

I just came in for filing the mouth open more for the .140 LN blade..

.100 is about max on most planes execpt a Bedrock type frog, anything bigger and it needs to be filed I would say..

The best file is a 6" Flat (double cut) a Mill is a single cut which would work but cuts slower...

I was thinking I would not need to file the mouth of the Keen Kutter (Bedrock) but what happens is the frog is moved back so far that if you don't have a 25* bevel ground the blade it hits the back of the mouth before it can get to cutting depth, also the depth adjuster is out of threads its so deep...

So you don't need to file a Bedrock planes mouth to fit a .140 LN for LN blade but you have two issues.
1) the blade hits the back of the mouth almost when ground at 25*
2) The depth adjuster is only 3/4 of the way screwed on to the stud

So if you use a blade over .100 you would need to file the mouth no matter what model plane..
You should file all mouths anyway IMHO to remove the paint/japanning for chip clearance..

You only need to file .015 to .040 depending on blade choice..

You would want a .009-.012 (3-4 sheets of paper) gap for a smoother
For a Jack you would want .012 + depending on how big a cut you want to take..

[steve swantee]

Hello Johnny, were there any issues with the yoke not protruding through the frog enough to catch the chipbreaker with such a thick iron?

[Johnny Kleso]

Yoke works fine even when depth adjuster is 1/4 of the way off the threaded stud BUT there is more slop in between the yoke and cap iron slot..

Since the cap iron is up farther from the yoke and the yoke is tapered you get more slop when changing directions with depth adjuster..

This dosent bother me much but I know I have read several threads about people doing all kinds of things to get zero slop..

[Johnny Kleso]

Steve,

I checked the backlash today and believe it or not its 3 full turns :)

Its 1 1/2 turns on the two stock planes I tested...

Suprising the yoke stays engaged with adjusting wheel 1/3 of the way off the threaded stud..

So if your a backlash hater you will not like this option :)

I hade bought a few LN bronze yokes and I'll try swapping it on the KK to see if it helps.. A yoke was $5.00 about 4 years ago..

Here is a photo of what the adjuster looks like in working position..

http://stanleytools.home.comcast.net/k-1.jpg

I also need to file the mouth open more as it is still not a clear shot down the frogs face, part of the sole is sticking out because the frog is back to far..

[steve swantee]

Thanks for the info Johnny. I,ve got the LN .125 iron & improved chipbreaker in my Stanley No.4 Type 7, and my adjuster appears to be in about the same position as yours, and I also have about 3 full turns of backlash. However I think that the improved performance more than makes up for it. I never thought of using a LN yoke, are they a direct fit? Would like to see a picture and hear how it worked out for you if you decide to refit with the LN yoke.

Steve

[Johnny Kleso]

I know they fit but I have not tried them..

Its raining here today so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to check it out.. My shop is the driveway after I roll out the lawn equipment and heavy metal..