I Might Bail Out On Bailey Planes
Jan 3rd, 2010 by Doug Berch
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Doug Berch
Musician and Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer Maker
Have a look at the HNT Gordon website. He makes beautiful wooden planes with a high angle. Especially useful for our cranky Australian hardwoods. I have one of his shoulder planes and a smoother and I love them.
I think there may be a jointer for sale in his bargain plane section.
Hi Doug,
You had me running to the shop to measure my #7. I suppose everyone has their own definition of ‘flat’ but when I put a straight edge on mine, whether parallel to the bed or across it, in any direction, it says “flat” to me. I remember lapping it when I got it but that was long ago so I don’t remember the details.
Mine’s a Type #16 so it’s WWII vintage. It’s true that more recent Stanleys are of lesser stock but I’m surprised they would go out of flat after you’ve taken the time to get them that way. Wish I had a magic solution but I just haven’t had the problem and can dial mine down to take mighty thin shavings, though I rarely want anything that fine from it.
I’m with you on the wooden plane approach, particularly if you’re willing to make them. I have a vintage 24″ try plane that’s a joy to use but its mouth is a bit large from wear/flattening. The feel of wood on wood is just so much nicer than metal on wood. A Krenov-style try plane, perhaps?
Cheers — Larry
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve heard good things about HNT Gordon planes. I use some Mujingfang planes that look similar and like them a lot. Might have to check it out!
Hi Larry,
Thanks for checking. My #7 is a type 11 and the #8 is a sweetheart era. Should be fairly substantial, though not as substantial as a type 16 or 17.
Not sure what the problem with my #7 and #8 might be. I might try lapping them one more time….They go a bit concave when I take the blade out and put it back in. Years ago I flattened a bunch of #3, 4 and 5′s and they are all fine.
I’m thinking a Krenov style high angle jointer is the solution.
All the best,
Doug
Doug… Planes the size of the 7 and 8 are subject to some minor movement as the seasons change. Not to mention the stress of the cap and frog on the casting. They’re just too big to maintain a perfectly flat sole.
If you prefer age, find a good old infill fore or jointer. Spiers made nice planes of massive sizes.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the info. I wondered if that was the case. My long metal planes work well enough for somethings but that fluctuation is enough to put a hump in a fretboard. Not the end of the world because I can always go back with a small plane to even things out.
A Spiers would be wonderful but I don’t have the first born and side order of fries to trade for one!
I think I’ll be going with a wooden jointer. I true up my wooden planes somewhat often but it always goes quickly.
All the best,
Doug