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Thread: Problem with low angle block planes

  1. #1

    Problem with low angle block planes

    I'm having rouble setting up my 60 1/2 and 9 1/2 planes.im using the versions with the ribbed iron bottoms. Basically, I can't get the blade angle high enough to get the bevel through the mouth. Or, one in a while when I do, the blade protrudes fully through the mouth asking the plane useless. These are "new" used planes for me, my old one didn't have this problem, so might it be the blades? Everything else seems to be in order. Very frustrating as I've got four of these to restore and can't get them to work becsude the angle is too darn lw.

  2. #2
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    Sounds like the cap iron is too far forward.
    Bill D

  3. #3
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    Corey just a guess here, but you do know that block planes are supposed to have the blades installed with the bevel side "up". Bench planes are the opposite with a chipbreaker installed on the "back "side of the blade and the bevel"down".

  4. #4
    Remove the blade/chip-breaker/cap and loosen the screws that hold the frog in place and re-position it.

  5. #5
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    Bevel up on the low angle 60-1/2? Only the 60-1/2 is a low angle. The 9-1/2 is not, but the iron still goes in the same way.

    The cap only has one possible position. There were two different patterns for the grooves in the irons. Are these irons the original, or correct ones for your planes?

    The mouths are adjustable on these planes. They don't have adjustable frogs.

    Edited to add: Do your planes have the part that engages the grooves in the irons?
    Last edited by Tom M King; 12-09-2019 at 10:00 AM.

  6. #6
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    These block planes do not have chip breakers.

    Your blade is upside down. They should be inserted bevel up.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  7. #7
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    Corey, Welcome to the Creek. It sounds like everyone else has already answered what is the likely problem with your block planes.

    At one time anything with the blade bevel down was called a block plane. Times have changed a little.

    Here is an old post of mine on low angle block planes > https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?123401

    jtk
    Last edited by Jim Koepke; 12-09-2019 at 5:04 PM.
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  8. #8
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    At one time anything with the blade bevel down was called a block plane. Times have changed a little.
    That's not a correct statement Jim.
    Last edited by Stewie Simpson; 12-09-2019 at 6:05 PM.

  9. #9
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    And we’re off.....
    Sharp solves all manner of problems.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Koepke View Post

    At one time anything with the blade bevel down was called a block plane.

    jtk
    Quote Originally Posted by Stewie Simpson View Post
    That's not a correct statement Jim.
    You are right Stewie, my error. It should have been planes with their bevels up were often referred to as block planes. Whether or not that is a correct determinator of what is or isn't a block plane is a different matter.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  11. #11
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    Show and tell time: Happen to have 2 Stanley No. 60-1/2...one in the OEM box..
    Block Plane , OEM Box.JPGBlock plane, back in the box.JPG
    So..take it out of the box
    Block Plane, 60-12.JPG
    It's called Cordovan...anyway...take the cap iron off..
    Block Plane, correct set up.JPG
    And this is what it is supposed to look like...if it looks like..
    Block Plane, incorrect set up.JPG
    It is wrong. The notches engage 2 prawls...
    Block Plane, notches.JPG
    So you can adjust the depth of cut.
    Block Plane, sole.JPG
    When set up correctly....( at least the other one of mine is sharp)
    And that is how one of these block planes is set up....bevel goes up, slots/grooves go down.
    Simple?

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by steven c newman View Post
    Show and tell time: Happen to have 2 Stanley No. 60-1/2...one in the OEM box..
    Block Plane , OEM Box.JPGBlock plane, back in the box.JPG
    So..take it out of the box
    Block Plane, 60-12.JPG
    It's called Cordovan...anyway...take the cap iron off..
    Block Plane, correct set up.JPG
    And this is what it is supposed to look like...if it looks like..
    Block Plane, incorrect set up.JPG
    It is wrong. The notches engage 2 prawls...
    Block Plane, notches.JPG
    So you can adjust the depth of cut.
    Block Plane, sole.JPG
    When set up correctly....( at least the other one of mine is sharp)
    And that is how one of these block planes is set up....bevel goes up, slots/grooves go down.
    Simple?
    Excellent show and tell Bandit! Many of us with most of our life take too much for granted, having done this for decades, but a quick "show and tell" by you for the OP, succinctly answers his/her question.
    If the thunder don't get you, the lightning will.

  13. #13
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    I'm still using a pair of those Cordovan ones that I bought new. Later models have fewer, and larger grooves under the iron. The two types of irons are not interchangeable in the different year planes, even though they have the same model numbers.

    edited to add: the picture on this page shows the differences in the two types of iron slots, and adjuster engagement grooves:
    https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/...hc716slot.aspx
    Last edited by Tom M King; 12-10-2019 at 8:02 AM.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Kees View Post
    Corey just a guess here, but you do know that block planes are supposed to have the blades installed with the bevel side "up". Bench planes are the opposite with a chipbreaker installed on the "back "side of the blade and the bevel"down".
    Yes, aware of that distinction. Thanks.

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Derek Cohen View Post
    These block planes do not have chip breakers.

    Your blade is upside down. They should be inserted bevel up.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Correct. My iron is inserted bevel up. The seats for the blades are original and intact. Blades are either original or suitable replacements based on size and advancement corrugation.

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