Thread: Is this plane faulty ?

Forrest

Have a look at the following websites

http://www.supertool.com/

http://www.woodcentral.com/articles/...lanetune.shtml

Also, do a search on these forums for "Handplanes" - you'll find a lot of good advice.

To solve your immediate problems, disassemble the plane completely. Because it's a new plane, there should be a leaflet in the box that provides an illustration of the plane with all the various parts labelled. If there isn't, have a look at this website:

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/

where there are loads of section drawings of different planes.

Once you've taken it apart, carefully re-assemble it, lining up the blade and the other components. Use your eye and your instinct and you'll get close to the right set-up. Don't be discouraged. All new planes need fettling and tuning. Very few can be used straight out of the box.

Hope this helps.

Col

Very good advice from Driver, take it.

Also, it is unlikely that your blade is sharp. Do a search on this forum using the phrase "scary sharp". This will give you a good intro into sharpening your blade.

Then you can get serious about sharpening and do another search and turn up a truckload of threads.

A plane with a blunt blade is next to useless.

Craig

Don't be put off by your new plane, like Driver and Craig said, it can be tuned and sharpened.

Keep asking questions and searching the BB and you will get there.

No worries, I appreciate the comments and advice and will certainly take it on-board.... I suppose one thing thats got me a little concerned is the fact that I can't tighten both of the screws which hold the entire mechanism (the frong?) to the sole of the plane. As stated earlier the slot for the screw appears to be not centred and skewed sideways slightly. This means that there isnt enough room for the washer to fit between the side of the housing and the screw. I cant actually do the screw up tight enough to prevent it having some play.

I understand a new plane won't be set up properly out of the box ( I'm actually quite looking forward to setting one up and learning more about them ) , but I'm pretty sure I should be able to tighten to screws and not have the frog wobble around on me.

Anyway thanks for the replies, I 'll prob take it down to bunnings and show them and see how I go from there.

On a side note, I was round at my mothers the other day and noticed an old rusty plane in her garage, It had 'Pope' on the front, looked a little larger than the stanley #4 I have now.. apparently it was my Grandfather's. Just wondering if these are/were considered a decent brand and if I should look at attempting to restore it ? Can supply a pic if desired (yes I love taking pics with the new digital camera )

Thanks Again

Shane

Originally Posted by Forrest

On a side note, I was round at my mothers the other day and noticed an old rusty plane in her garage, It had 'Pope' on the front, looked a little larger than the stanley #4 I have now.. apparently it was my Grandfather's. Just wondering if these are/were considered a decent brand and if I should look at attempting to restore it ? Can supply a pic if desired (yes I love taking pics with the new digital camera )

Thanks Again

Shane

If it's wider it could be a 4 1/2 if it's longer a 5.

I'm by no means a plane expert but I believe that Pope were an Australian manufacturer of Stanley/Bailey type planes.

I guess it depends on how far gone it is. Check the sole for pitting.

Definitely post some pictures.


Craig

I suppose one thing thats got me a little concerned is the fact that I can't tighten both of the screws which hold the entire mechanism (the frong?) to the sole of the plane. As stated earlier the slot for the screw appears to be not centred and skewed sideways slightly. This means that there isnt enough room for the washer to fit between the side of the housing and the screw. I cant actually do the screw up tight enough to prevent it having some play.

If I were you I'd take it back and either get a replacement or get your money back. Go to a second hand tool market or look on eBay and you'll pick up an old #4 for around $30 that shouldn't have these kinds of problems. You'll find it much more enjoyable to use too.

It had 'Pope' on the front, looked a little larger than the stanley #4 I have now.. apparently it was my Grandfather's. Just wondering if these are/were considered a decent brand and if I should look at attempting to restore it ? Can supply a pic if desired (yes I love taking pics with the new digital camera )

Forrest,

This is indeed an Australian made unit, made I believe by the Simpson Pope people. I have a spoke shave made by the same company. Hand plane gurus would be able to shed more light on the subject but it seems that around the time of the second world war there was a lot of domestic brands around. There is a guy in Adelaide that you can get spares for these, but from what I can gather they are identical to the Stanley range.

regards,

Himzo.

Well I returned the Stanley plane to Bunnings. I'll search around for another one.
Forgot to grab the Pope plane from my mother's today, bugger... will grab it next time I'm there and take a few pics.

Anyway thanks again for the replies and advice.

Shane

Forrest, I picked up a solid pope #5 at some sunday markets for $50. Not a bargain but it only needed a clean and a small amount of fettling and it's as good as new.

From what I know, the Pope Falcons are cast from copies of the stanley moulds. Simply because during the war imports bascially stopped, or ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Thats all 6th hand info though.

Your new one might look bad but if it's all there with no cracks, the sole is reasonable flat and has no chips at the front of the mouth, then you can get it working pretty good.

Nothing wrong with a falcon pope.
Rescue it immediately!!!
stanly & record blades & stuff will fit.
the castings will be heavier than some others you will find.
looks like youve found your first real tool!

Come over to the dark side forest.... mwaha ha ha ha....