Thread: Can you recomend a new plane cutter ?

I don't think you can go past these: http://www.hocktools.com/default.html
Lee Valley also do them: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...182,43698&ap=1

I think there is an Australian maker too but the name eludes me... SOmeone will know. If I didn't dream it...

Why not get an Academy cutter from HNT Gordon and support Aussie business? A bit pricier but quality kit....

A bit pricier

A bit pricier? Try more than double!! But then postage might knock it back down a bit.

This is the problem, people say "buy Australian" but when you compare the prices overseas, it's hard to pass up the savings when you are on a budget.

Added to that the Hock blades are highly regarded, as are the Lee Valley blades.

try http://www.hansbrunnertools.gil.com.au/ for a used plane part.

also try www.toolexchange.com.au for good used parts

If you decide to go for a thicker blade, there are a couple of things you should check out first.
Make sure that the mouth of the plane is actually large enough to take the thicker blade without having to file it out to make room for it (the blade).
If this is OK then check also that the top end of the Y adjustment lever still engages the cap iron properly, and isn't left too short because of the extra thickness in the blade.
If you are careful in your blade selection, you can avoid these problems.
Plenty of others have discovered to their dismay, that the thicker blade could not be used on their planes without some major surgery.
If the original sized blade worked well for you, you should be happy with a standard blade again. These are a lot cheaper as well.
Happy blade hunting.
SG

Hi OP,

I had the same question and went for a Hock HSS cryo (and chip breaker to match) from these guys:

http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au/category49_1.htm

First time I used it, on spotted gum, it chipped. Could well be I was ham fisted.

After grinding it out and sharpening and honing, a few runs on clear grained hardwood turned in some lovely fine shavings.

Haven't had the occasion to use it further so I can't comment on longer term edge retention.

Edit: this was on a 'modern' 5 1/2.

I swear by the Academy blades and have used one since they were first released 6? years ago. They're a bugger to grind but they're the only ones that hold an edge for a reasonable length of time on eucalypt.

Well worth the money, far better than an A2 on our stuff, in my opinion. Buy once and cry once, I suppose.

Cheers,

eddie

Yeah, like the Bamix folk said 'the sweetness of low price is long outweighed by the bitterness of low quality', or words to that effect.

But Scribbly is spot on: you need to measure up your existing iron to see what replacements might fit.

Ditto SC: speak to the wreckers ;-}

Wot Eddie said

stuart from tool exchange has a cutter and some other bits to bring her up to working standard. thanks for the suggestions and i found out good plane cutters are pretty expensive