Note: The No. 100-1/2 Convex Sole Block Plane is temporarily out of production and unavailable until further notice.
This small block plane is perfect for all sorts of hollowing jobs like chair seats, moldings and model making. The sole of the plane is 1-1/4" wide x 3-1/2" long. Overall length, including the squirrel-tail handle, is 4-7/8". The sole has a convex radius of 3" in the width and 27" in the length.
Ductile Iron body, Bronze cap.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the instructions for this tool.
Our Convex Sole Block Plane is a miniature workhorse that will do a great job of hollowing chair seats and shaping other concave work. Plane is 4-7/8" long and 1-1/4" wide.
The sole has a radius of 3" from side to side, and 27" from front to back. Blade is 7/8" wide and 1/8" thick. It has a radius of 7/8", and sits in the body at 20°, bevel up. The radius on the mouth is 1-3/16". The smaller blade radius of .900" means that the corners of the blade will not protrude from the mouth when set for a medium or fine shaving.
The blade comes ready to use. Additional honing will improve performance.
For Honing: One method is to plane a groove in softwood with the blade set for a coarse cut. Charge the resulting groove with honing compound and hone the blade by pulling backwards through the groove.
Another method is to shape a groove in a spare or broken waterstone with a 7/8" dowel wrapped with coarse (60-100 grit) sandpaper. Hone the blade by pulling through the groove.
For Grinding: Re-grind as necessary, following the original bevel angle and radius as closely as possible. Marking the bevel with a felt marker will help you see what you are doing.
Slightly loosen the pressure of the cap and advance or retract the blade. Tighten the thumbscrew. Do not overtighten. You should be able to adjust the blade after loosening the spinwheel about a quarter turn.
We use Ductile Iron 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 cap is Manganese Bronze.
The blade is A2 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. The 1/8" thickness provides solid, chatter-free cutting.
The body casting is ground flat and true (to .0015"). Occasional hand lapping with fine wet/dry sandpaper (400 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. We recommend Jojoba Oil, a plant based oil product that 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 bodies and blades. Jojoba Oil and abrasive handblocks are available from us.
Find everything you need for tool care.
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.
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.
