Tuning Record smoothing plane

[sam63]

Hi everyone,

I know this topic has been covered in many occasion, however, as a beginner, I still have concernes about the steps. I have been told that the following is the steps that I have to follow:

1.) Checking sole for flatness
2.) Checking the front of the throat opening if it is true
3.) Disassembling the plane and scraping the paint underneath the frog and handles
4.) Filing down any high points underneath the frog
5.) Checking the chip braker if it fits on the plane iron
6.) Sharpening the plane the iron accoring the Scary Sharp method.

Could anyone please tell me how important to follow all of these steps to get a plane tuned? It sounds like a bit too much and a daunting task for a beginner like myself.

Thanks for all the comments.
Sam

[DPB]

Sam, next month's issue of THE TRITON WOODWORKER , http://www.tritonwoodworkers.org.au, will have a fully illustrated guest article on this very subject. But if you are not patient, do a Google search on "tuning handplanes" and you will find out heaps on the subject.

Or search this forum's expert on the subject of hand planes, derekcohen. :)

[Ben from Vic.]

Sam63,

If your the book type, there is a wealth of information in The Handplane Book by Garrett Hack.
It's reasonably popular, and relatively easy to find (about $50).

Ben

[Ben from Vic.]

It looks like this....

[Zsteve]

Yes do it, it is worth it, and as with any filing or honing, "take off the minimum amount of material for the desired technical effect".

Carefull when filing the mouth as you do not want to widen it. Take your time, Don't rush it, do it properly and you won't regret it.



Regards
Stephen.

[craigb]

If you don't want to tune your plane and you're wealthy, you could always buy a Lie Nielson or Clifton plane. They're ready to go "out of the box". Cost muchos dollars though.

[DaveInOz]

try this site tune a plane (http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/plane_tune.shtml)

[joez]

Heres another link for you :http://www.yesterdaystools.com/tuninga1.htm.

Its pretty detailed and includes photos that help you along the way. I printed a copy of this out and used it when I tuned my first $20 no4, came up a treat.


Joe

[sam63]

Thanks everyone. Some of the web sites are quite informative. I suppose there is no easy way out if you want a properly working plane.

Cheers,
Sam

[DarrylF]

Another option for you is the August 2003 issue of Fine Woodworking magazine - the one currently in Aussie newsagents. It has a great article on block planes and a pretty universal article on tuning a plane.