#5 Stanley

[John Kain]

So, I finally got around to sharpening a newly acquired old school #5. It's circa pre 1920s. For whatever the reason, I can't get it to go smoothly. The blade is big time old, but I shapened it for more that an hour with the Veritas system that has been so successful for me. Even so, the plane won't plane well. It's honed well on the bottom, flat as can be according to my trusty flats.

Should I just order a new blade? Every other plane I have works like a champ. I was planning on giving this one to my uncle for a present after "brightening" it up a bit. What's going on? Any ideas?

[harry strasil]

did the blade get too hot when it was ground

[John Kain]

did the blade get too hot when it was ground

It's the MKII guide I'm using to sharpen.....not the power system. I have the right angle everytime, but the thing just won't plane well.

I should say that I really cannot get a fantastic edge on the metal....
I think I'm going to order a new blade, guessing that the previous owner got a substandard blade from an unknown source.........

Any ideas?

[Tyler Howell]

How about your set up??
Is the plane well fettled?
> 1/16" blade exposed?
Tight mouth?
Solid bedding of the frog on the plane?
Crowned blade?
Clean and smooth sole of the #5?
Lubed sole?
Square flat sole?
Blade is real important but only a part of the system.

[John Kain]

How about your set up??
Is the plane well fettled?
> 1/16" blade exposed?
Tight mouth?
Solid bedding of the frog on the plane?
Crowned blade?
Clean and smooth sole of the #5?
Lubed sole?
Square flat sole?

Set up is solid...

Sole is flat as a board. (a really flat board.......)
Blade has been adjusted over and over again.....no go.)
Mouth of cusp is fine.
Frog is perfect.
Blade is not crowned perfectly, but neither is my active #5 for smoothing
Lubed? Not an issue here.

[Tyler Howell]

So swap blades and see what happens!

[John Kain]

So swap blades and see what happens!

OK. That's a fantastic idea I should have thought of............but I didn't...

I feel a bit embarrassed reading your comment as it was so obvious. I'll give it a go and let you know.............

[Jim DeLaney]

Just one question: Bevel down?

[Mike Wenzloff]

Hah Jim, I was going to add that!

Also check to ensure the chip breaker isn't right on the edge...

Even a poor plane will cut. So I suspect it's user error of some sort, John.

btw, did you try the plane before jumping through the fettling hoops?

Mike

[Brian Hale]

Hey John,

Can you describe what you mean by "just won't plane well"? Chatter? Skipping?

Was the sole flattened with tension on the blade/lever cap? I flattened my 4 1/2 without a blade in it and the thing would either polish the wood or rip out chunks. Did it with the blade in and it's a much more usable tool.

Brian

[John Kain]

Hey guys, switched the blade. Works like a champ.

I have no idea whats with the old blade. Thanks for the help anyways.

[Corvin Alstot]

Hey guys, switched the blade. Works like a champ. I have no idea whats with the old blade. Thanks for the help anyways.

John/
I have a 604C with the same problem. The blade on mine was sharp but the blade had a crown in it that did not allow it to bed well to the frog. It would flex when planing and would not cut a consistant width shaving.
Sounds like you have a warped blade.