There are those who may look at me with some incredulity for even posting this. I don't blame them for doing so at all. I still am having a hard time believing the good fortune. . .
The other day I walked in to HF to look at a lathe center. I knew it would be a cheapo, but for a wooden shopbuilt lathe it would be fine. While I was there I stopped and browsed. Walking up and down the aisles I thought the normal thoughts, "Wow, a vise for 17.99! Oh, all thread for the screw. Hmph."
But, looking at the small selection of hand planes, I thought "Well, I am in the market for a No.3, for $9.99, why not?" I figured that if it didn't work I could at least say that it was only $10 lost, and I had the feeling that that was the way things would go.
I checked out, got in my truck and drove home. I went to a carving class I take. I got a w. butcher 1/2" mortice chisel in trade from my instructor, and bought a Record 050C from him. I didn't get home until very late. So, this afternoon, while I was waiting for a phone call, I decided to try the new tools out. I started with the Record. Perfect dados, decent rebates. I was tickled pink. Then, I though about the HF no33 I bought. What the heck, why not?
My first impression on pulling it out of the box was that it was pretty solid for a knockoff plane. Then, I looked at the adjustors, and thought that they looked pretty good, and much easier to adjust laterally than a standard lever. The totes were surprisingly comfortable, and actual wood. The mouth was larger than I would like, but not horribly so. The bed and body were a single piece casting, relatively well done. The iron was HSS, and relatively sharp. I decided I was impressed already.
Then, I took it to a piece of pine, did a few adjustments, and switched to a piece of scrap maple. WOW! An even, thin and fluffy shaving on the first pass! I thought it must have been a fluke. Another pass, another decent shaving. I took four passes, and left a very passable surface.
I stood in the basement looking at the plane for a few minutes, and decided to come up and post.
I have never been impressed with HF, but this really was an eye opener. It may have been a fluke, but I hope not. I haven't even sharpened the blade or done any lapping or tuning. I adjusted the depth of cut, the lateral adjustment, and tightened the tote screw.
This plane may not be the best plane I own. My No. 4 leaves a better surface, and is slightly more comfortable. But, for an out of the box condition, this is indeed worth it. The only real kvetches I have are the adjusters. They are a bit difficult to turn when they are tight to the blade one way or the other. I think a slight bevel on the edges of the screws will take care of that, but I will have to test it out.
I will post a bit more after sharpening the blade and doing a bit more with it, but really, for $10, some of you might want to check it out.