Thread: Problems with my Bailey #4 smoother...

First question I'd ask is are you sure that they weren't already there? It's hard to imagine cracks showing up immediately like that, they usually develop over time. I doubt you removed enough metal with sandpaper to cause that kind of damage, unless you were at it for a very long time.

Looking into the mouth and towards the back of the plane you should get an idea of how thick the casting is at the sole. It's hard to imagine it tearing. The cracks are more likely to be stress fractures caused through long term use. Perhaps your clean up has uncovered them?

Thanks for that.

I don't have the plane with me at my office (!) but I will have a look within the next few days when I get to my shed.

All I know is: when I lapped this sole, it was flat, esp around the mouth. Now there are two fractures, and they are slightly raised. They look fresh. In any case, do you think it will still be usable, esp given that it is behind the blade, not in front?

Well in that case, it could be on the way out. I'd say the fractures are caused by the pressure on the frog when you plane and you might find that they get worse the more you use it. You can probably get it repaired if you want, I've heard of it being done but have not seen the results, except one at a market that was a bit ordinary.

I guess #4s are common enough and so if it has sentimental value, stick it on the shelf and pick up another one at the markets for $30

silentC

As a newbie I've started looking at some markets ... not sure how many there are on the NSW South Coast (your loc?). I've looked in Sydney and decent older no4 Baileys that I've seen tend to be almost 3 times that much.

The blokes selling them usually assume I'm a 'collector' and try to steer me towards something else when I baulk at their old Stanley prices.

Other Sydneysiders, what markets have you found to be a good source of planes, saws, vices, clamps etc?

Cheers

Tim

That's the problem with cities, too many opportunists

We have a market down here once a month at Candelo. Pickings are slim but I bought a #4 for $30 and a #3 for $25.

I believe there is/was one at North Rocks on Sundays.

Thanks for your responses to my questions. I went home and had another look at my plane and I feel like A RIGHT ROYAL IDIOT. I don't know much about planes (as the following will reveal), but in my eagerness to rebuild and use my plane, I set the frog too far back.

As a result, the blade was resting on the mouth, hence the pressure which caused the cracks. What a numbskull.

I moved the frog forward so there is only about 1/2 mm gap in the front of the mouth, and the blade is firmly resting on the frog. I lightly lapped the bottom of the plane to flatten out the metal raised by the cracking, and set to work reusing the plane. The cracks are still visible, but no longer looking fresh and 'agitated' as they were before, and the plane is producing those lovely tissue-like fluffy shavings, and leaving behind a gleaming surface.

Lesson learned, but what a way to learn it! Thankfully I think it will all be okay, despite the visible flaws which my experimenting left behind.

Later,
Green 'Blockhead' Woodchips

Originally Posted by Green Woodchips

Lesson learned, but what a way to learn it! Thankfully I think it will all be okay, despite the visible flaws which my experimenting left behind.

These visible flaws are there to remind us of a lapse in concentration. I have a theory that every new plane rapidly accumulates a set number of indelible marks which reflect the learning curve of the user. The blood stained chisel reminds me to be careful of the edge, the chunk out of my #4 reminds me of when my son used it and the rough side makes me recall a poor attempt at squaring with the sole. Technically, these are known as "Doh!" moments.

You are very wise Oh master Groggy. Very profound words made me feel all Budhist.

GW

Your #4 sounds like a Type 11 (1910 - 1918), in which case it is to be prized. The Type 11 and the Type 12 - only difference is the high knob. The Type 11 has a low knob - are considered the best users of the Stanley bench plane range. One reason is the full frog - no cutouts - which gives the blade better support. Look after it. It cannot be replaced by a common #4.

Regards from Perth

Derek

You know you have one final option......before sending it to the scrap heap.......if the sole plays up again..........thats to attach a wooden sole to re-enforce........ saves on buying another, a working tool with sentimental value.......I did this with one of mine when I first started and it works fine.......I attached about 1/2 inch thick piece of hardwood, whose width and length was greater than the soles, with tapped deeply countersunk bolts and aruldyt.......then when set with flush bit in router cut the timber flush to the edge of sole......chisel out mouth slightly going in from top........true sole .......work mouth slowly to fine gap etc......end up with a sort of corrigated transitional plane. .........in a way it feels nicer to use because you've got wood on wood

hey, don't laugh, it worked....... :mad:

Originally Posted by apricotripper

hey, don't laugh, it worked....... :mad:

HA HAH HA HAH, I'm sorry, no really I am, I just can't help myself.

Originally Posted by outback

HA HAH HA HAH, I'm sorry, no really I am, I just can't help myself.

No, your not......your only protending to be sorry.... .....I know......it'll take me weeks to get over this...... you.....you....YOOOOU cheeky bast* ...bugger !!!!!!!!!...... sniff sniff