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Our Low Angle Skew Block Plane is adapted from the Stanley #140, which was discontinued many years ago. Its skewed blade and removable side made it more versatile than standard block planes.
We have altered the design by lowering the blade angle, and adding a fence and a captive nut blade adjuster to increase ease of use and versatility.
Two holes are provided in the fence for attaching a wood strip to extend the fence, if desired. When not rabbeting, keep the stainless steel side on the plane to protect the acute angle of the frog.
Geometry: The blade sits in the body at 12°; and it comes with a 25° flat ground bevel, making the included cutting angle 37°. The skew angle is 18°.
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: Hold the tool in one hand with your fingers supporting the sole, and your thumb on the cap iron just in front of the screw. Loosen the spinwheel, and with your thumb still holding the blade and cap, adjust the blade. Tighten the spinwheel. Do not overtighten (you should be able to adjust the blade after loosening the spinwheel about 1/4 turn). Because of the unsupported right side, there is some flex inherent in that thin metal edge when the cap is tensioned on the blade. This will produce a slightly tapered shaving which normally will not present a problem, but if on occasion it does, adjust the blade slightly out of parallel with the sole to produce a shaving of uniform (not tapered) thickness.
Materials: Materials: We use Manganese Bronze or Ductile iron for the bodies, fence and cap iron; stainless steel for the plate, pins and adjuster nut; brass for the spinwheel and screws. The castings are fully stress relieved, a process that removes inherent stresses and ensures that the tool will remain flat and true.
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. After heat treating, the blade is fully surface ground on the top, back, and cutting edge for a long time, giving a smooth, flat surface that will take a mirror finish very quickly. The 1/8" thickness provides solid chatter-free cutting.
Nicker Circular A-2 nicker protrudes by .010” and can be rotated to expose the edge as needed. Retract by rotating so flat is at the bottom. Occasionally hone on a fine waterstone as needed.
Maintenance: The body casting is ground flat to .0015". Occasional hand lapping with fine wet/dry sandpaper (320 grit or higher) on a flat surface will help remove dings and keep it true. The cap iron can be polished with any good brass polish, or allowed to patina with age and use. Occasionally, the tool should be disassembled, cleaned, and moving parts oiled. The blade should be kept lightly oiled to prevent rust, especially when the tool is not in use. In our shop, We recommend Camellia Oil a vegetable oil based product. It is non-toxic, odor -free and easy to use. Also, in our shop, we use a fine abrasive handblock to remove any light surface oxide from tool bodie and blades. Camellia Oil and the abrasive handblock are available from us.
Guarantee Materials 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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