I'm going to check and flatten the sole on my block and #4 tonight then move on to sharpening the irons. I'll be using 60/100/150/220, etc sandpaper on my jointer bed to do the work.
The big question is do I flatten with the plane disassembled or assembled with the iron retracted? I've seen and read both methods and I don't know which is correct. It would seem to make sense to flatten the sole with the iron and cap in place because that's how it's used and it needs to be flat in use not taken apart bu I don't really know.
Is there a consensus on which way or does it even matter?
-Dan