Thread: Fettling a Stanley 10 1/2

Originally Posted by Polie

I had a good weekend and picked up a Stanley Bailey 10 1/2 for $25.

As with all secondhand planes it could do with a good ol tune up.

The blade width is approx 54mm and the plane body width is approx 52.5mm. To planet nice clean rabbits I would have thought the blade and body should be exactly the same width.

1. Do I need to narrow the blade (I an sure Stanley would have made it 52.5mm if that is what was required)? or
2. Do I shift the blade flush with the side I am taking shavings off? or
3. Do you use the plane with the blade sticking out (and if yes, how?).

Thanks,
Chris

I use a combination of 2 and 3. I get the blade on the side I am using it poking just proud of the side by a gnat's d1ck, barely enough to feel but enough to catch a small steel ruler's edge when you run it down the side. The rest of the blade just pokes out the edge.You could make it stick about .8mm on each side, but I prefer to wiggle it about a bit.

Due to the repair work on my 10 1/2 there is not much space left to shift the blade back and forth to the blade sticks out more than a gnats anything.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Chris