I started this thread for a number of reasons, no one of which individually could possibly justify the time spent, but collectively I thought it may be of interest.
The first reason and the "trigger" was to show that plagiarism is alive and well in QLD. Actually this thread cannot hold a candle to that other bloke who shall be nameless from the western Suburbs of Brisbane (That's just to protect the innocent and keep me out of the copyright court.) and was able to devote far more time and produce not one but two planes for show and tell. I think he might be related to the Demtel guy ("I know you want more") Tim Shaw.
The second reason is that I need a little practice at inserting brass plates for my plane builds in the Plane Challenge (BTW, if you are still on the fence it is not too late to get in, Entry has to be submitted by the 26 March 2021). Lastly, I have had the plane for a long time and always regarded it as something of a dog. It has cracks down the length of the sole, it was disgustingly dirty and had a mouth larger enough to be in "Jaws." In fact it was pretty close to a ginormous scrub plane and would comfortably take off a 1/16th shaving. I think it once belonged to SWMBO's grandfather.
The plane is made by Hernshaw Bros if the blade is original. Apparently they made tools in Sheffield between 1850 and the 1950s. This plane might be quite early as I saw from my brief research that they made infill planes as well as a wide variety of other cutting tools. This is the plane on a length of compressed fibre for sanding the sole. The cracks on the sole are self explanatory, the left hand abutment (is that the correct term?) has sheared off and lastly that great gaping mouth. I forgot to take pix before sanding the body, but it looked the same colour as the wedge all over.
Attachment 483478Attachment 483479Attachment 483480Attachment 483481Attachment 483484
The plane is the same length as a No.7 and this is the stamp on the blade.
Attachment 483482
The front of the plane has the name "carpenter," maybe "T. Carpenter" and I wonder if that was a model designation. Elsewhere the initials V.B. can be seen.
Attachment 483483
The solution for the mouth was to place a brass insert to take up the space ahead of the blade edge. It was epoxied into place and held with brass screws, the heads of which were filed off. I had countersunk them enough to file off the slotted part once the glue was set
Attachment 483485
I set the plate a little too low but I had reckoned on flattening the sole anyway and I just had to do a little more work to contact all the brass plate. I got close enough for all practical purposes.
Attachment 483486Attachment 483487Attachment 483488Attachment 483489
Then it was on to file the mouth, clean up the rest of the plane and give it a go.
Regards
Paul