Bench Plane Sole To Side Angle

[Art Wong]

I am setting up an inexpensive Stanley #4 plane (remove grinding marks and flatten sole). After sanding the sides I noticed the angle between side and sole is not 90.

Obvious question is should the angle be exactly 90? I would think so but perhaps there are other considerations.

[Dave Parkis]

My opinion is that this is only important if you plan to use the plane for shooting. Personally, I would find a #4 too small for shooting so I wouldn't worry about it.

[Jim Belair]

I agree with Dave.

[Frederick Skelly]

I agree with Dave.

+2.

I use a #6 for shoothing work.

[Art Wong]

Thanks gents. This is my first plane and intended it to be general purpose including some shooting. What size would shooting be suitable.

Oops, I didn't see the previous post. Question answered.

[John Vernier]

My experience with older Stanleys is that they are rarely ground square. It just wasn't what the manufacturers were aiming for. I have a #8 which happens to be square, and it is excellent for shooting because of its mass, although it is a bit unwieldy.

[David Eisenhauer]

I believe the 5 and 6 are the most popular sizes for shooting purposes. I use a low angle type for good results on going across end grain as well.

[Jim Koepke]

Art,

Welcome to the Creek. Your profile doesn't indicate a location. Where do you call home?

What size would shooting be suitable.

Depending on what you are shooting any size from a block plane to a large jointer might be best for the job.

jtk

[Art Wong]

I'm a Canuck from Brampton, On. Thanks for reminding me to update the profile.

I might spend the time to bring the one side to 90 for smaller shooting situations.

[Pat Barry]

Most shooting work is for endgrain so a low angle plane would be a better choice for that. It is for me anyway.

[Paul Sidener]

A plane doesn't need to be a true 90*, even to use on a shooting board. It really just needs to be flat, and close to 90*. You can compensate with the blade angle adjuster to make the blade 90*. I shoot with a Lie Nielsen #7 or #5 low angle, and I still have to make sure the blade is 90*. I have an older Bedrock 604, one side is 90 and the other is a degree or two off. I would have to shoot left handed if it had to be 90, but I can get the blade 90.

Your plane should be fine for what ever you want use it for.

[Terry Beadle]

Another way to adjust for a non-perfect 90 degree side on a plane used for shooting is to use postit notes on the deck and bar of the
shooting board.

You can also use shavings or even tape.

For example, to adjust a end grain with the upper edge of the work piece more towards the 90 sought, add pieces of tape or post it notes to the
bottom of the work piece end away from the cutting area. That will raise the work piece with more of the end grain edge leaning towards
the shooting plane blade.

Visa ver sa for the other direction.

On the shooting board bar, you can do the same thing only it will affect the horizontal angle.

I hope I made this clear enough. There have been some posts in the past that have probably done a better job
explaining this technique. It does work and work well....cheap too!

Enjoy the shavings!

[Jim Koepke]

Another way to adjust for a non-perfect 90 degree side on a plane used for shooting is to use postit notes on the deck and bar of the
shooting board.

One of my shooting boards seems to move a bit with changes in the weather. It gets adjusted with a shaving here or a couple there all the time as needed.

jtk