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The Lie-Nielsen Bronze Shoulder Plane is based on a traditional
wood-filled English shoulder plane, such as the Spiers or Norris. These
were made in a number of sizes, the 1/2” being rather smaller
than usual, but very handy.
This plane is particularly useful as a trimming tool, to fit shoulders,
rabbets and dadoes. Therefore, these planes typically had very fine
mouths. Ours is made to take a maximum shaving of .005". Each tool is
tested before leaving the shop. If this mouth opening is too small for
your work, lightly file a 45° bevel on the corner of the bronze
casting immediately ahead of the blade bevel, allowing a larger chip to
clear, until the shaving size suits.
Geometry:
The blade sits in the body at 15°; it comes with at 25°
flat ground bevel, making the included cutting angle 40°.
Blade Sharpening:
The blade comes ready to use. Slight additional honing will increase
performance. A secondary bevel of up to 5 degrees helps achieve a razor
edge quickly. This also improves edge life in
hardwoods. For more information on
advanced sharpening we suggest David
Charlesworth’s DVD Hand
Tool Techniques Part 1: Plane Sharpening.
Blade Adjustment:
Tapping the heel of the plane with a wooden mallet or a block of wood
will usually loosen the wedge. Set the blade depth and tap the wedge
home snugly — but not too tight. The wedge has a tendency to
drive the blade a little deeper. With practice, you will soon be able
to set the blade quickly and accurately.
Materials:
We use Manganese Bronze for the bodies. These castings are fully
stress-relieved, a process that removes inherent stresses and ensures
that the tool will remain flat and true. The body is filled with
Cocobolo.
The blade is A-2 Tool Steel hardened to Rockwell 60-62, cryogenically
treated and double tempered. Our heat treating technique ensures that
the blade will take and hold a very fine edge for a long time. After
heat treating, the blade is fully surface ground on the top, back, and
cutting edge, giving a smooth, flat
surface that will take a mirror finish very quickly.
Maintenance:
The sole is lapped to .0015". Occasional hand lapping with
fine wet/dry sandpaper (320 grit or higher) on a flat surface like a
glass plate will help remove dings and keep it true. Occasionally wax
the wood parts — but not the bottom of the blade wedge. If
you wish, polish the bronze parts with any good brass polish, or enjoy
the patina that develops with age and use.
Guarantee:
Materials and workmanship are guaranteed for the life of your tool.
Call for repairs or replacement parts. We are available for advice if
you ever have a problem using your tool.
Proposition 65 Notice: Bronze and brass alloys contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
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