And all this time I thought it's purpose was to fill a non-existant niche in the Tool Companies' marketing departments!
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Thanks Andrey, thoughtful response!
The 5 1/2 serves as a good point of contention in the absence of a BLO vs. whatever finish thread or sharpening thread.
[person 1] I love my 5 1/2. It's my most used plane
[person 2] Funny how before year x, no professional woodworker ever owned a 5 1/2
[person 1] You're calling me unprofessional?
.... and on and on .... and on and on .... it's heaven and hell as the late RJD said.
But would Ronnie have preferred a #5 1/2 to a #5 because of the heavier metal?
:)
Or one just can find my previous post. It gives knowledge, rather than someone's opinion. :)
Yes Andrey, your previous post is a good post.
The starting title of this thread is, "What was the purpose of the #5-1/2."
The purpose of the #5-1/2 plane is to remove a controlled shaving from a piece of wood, nothing more, nothing less.
Mine gets used in proportion to the shelf it is sitting on. If it is on a low shelf, less use. If it is on a higher shelf, it gets used more.
There isn't a 'magic bullet' among the plane sizes.
Some folks can find a plane of a size or weight they prefer for their style of work. That doesn't mean it is the right combination for everyone else.
jtk
Had to tune mine back up...gaposis between the iron and chipbreaker ( was packed full..) the chipbreaker needed work, iron needed sharpened...took about..1/2 an hour..
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Stanley #5-1/2, Type 17....a Stanley #4 sitting behind it. I do not camber the iron on the Jumbo Jack..have a couple #5s for that sort of thing.
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May use this to clean up a panel, now that it is out of the clamps..
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have yard chores to do, at the moment....maybe later?