Thread: The Ultimate Jack?

I'm curious. Do expect chipping only at the front of the mouth, or do you otherwise not care if it chips behind the mouth where it is unlikely to affect the cut?

Hi George

Chipping behond the mouth is not uncommon in low angle cast iron planes (such as block planes and, for example, it is well known in the Stanley #62, which I own) and generally occurs as a stress fracture because the sole is thin and the bed is relatively unsupported. Chipping in planes with common angle beds is less common because of the additional support there, plus the blade itself is protecting the back of the mouth. Even if there is somne chip out there it will not affect performance.

Chip out at the front of the mouth is another matter altogether for smoothers .... although in a jack or scrub used for coarse shavings, that is with a wide mouth, there is likely to be less issues created. In this jack I simply wanted to guard against the mouth chipping owing to the reputation of the Mesquite. The mouth is already wide .. because the plane is destined for coarse work.

I should mention that the Mesquite was a gift from the USA. It is not Australian. Using it to build a plane was a way to commemorate that gift. I would otherwise have used whatever local hardwood I had on hand, probably Jarrah as I have a large stock of old roofing timbers that are well seasoned (!).

Regards from Perth

Derek