Thread: Hi there.

Welcome to the forum.

I have the low angle jack plane from Vertias and I seem to be using this for almost everything. I am trying to fix up an old stanley jack plane so that I can use this as the first plane with recycled timber. Just in case I missed a nail from the metal detector.

Hi Christos,

Thanks for the reply.

Can you expand on the "find myself picking it up for everything" statement.

I am looking at either the jack or smoother but am leaning towards the jack as i already have a couple of regular # 4 smoothers.

I have read somewhere that these planes are hard to set up ?....not sure what that means I believe the only adjustments to be the blade angle / depth and mouth width....surely can't be that hard.

Most of my work will be doors, frames and windows, etc.

What kind of blade did you get with your plane A-2 or O-1...I think the O-1 blades would be easier for me to sharpen with my basic system.....but I have heared that the A-2's are better with Aussie hard woods.

I have currently got some seasoned spotted gum, F27....which I will use for the door frames and threshold pieces on the southend side....hard as buggery and consistently tears out....Is driving me batty as i am not a big fan of sanders.

Cheers, W.

This statement meaning I use the jack plane as a jack plane from rough cut timber to using this as a smoother when doing the final passes.

I have the A-2 blade set at 25 degrees, picked this up from ebay. For the setup the blade had been backed out from the previous day. I hold the plane upside down resting on the bench while looking down. Trying not to see too much of the open mouth. I more the blade up and when I start to see a shadow I stop. This is the first cut and I see what if any shavings I am getting. Then adjust forward until I am happy with the shavings. I have gotten some very very fine shavings to some almost 1 mill shavings. I have seen Rob Cosman do this setup and so I find that if also works for me.

I only turn in one direction to avoid any play in the blade.

Hi Christos,

Well, I went out and bought one yesterday....jack plane from Carbatek..the exchange rate is for US goods is worth looking at as our exchange rate is the best that I have ever known.

Used it straight out of the box, did some jarrah....(with the grain) and some routed joints (end grain). It is a big plane (compared to what i have been using)...but it did what i expecten with ease....cannot wait till i properly sharpen the iron and get used to it.

Thanks for the good advise

W.

G'day Deansyorath and welcome to the party!! Nothing like a good hand tool to liven your interest!!