I have a new stanley block plane (9 1/2). I bought it cause I heard stanley was a good brand (didn't know there was a caveat of it being BEFORE WWII) and I didn't trust myself to buy a used one on Ebay. Had no idea what I was doing when I bought it. Didn't know the difference between a jointer, smoother, block, etc. I go into all of this so I don't get chastised for buying a new stanley plane!
Anyway, I have tuned it up. The sole looks to be perfectly flat (although, I haven't checked it on my bandsaw table....something I will do tonight). The blade is sharpened and with a microbevel. It is an impressive little tool and I have used it a lot already to help fit the little things that just didn't fit just right.
However, it isn't perfect. Or more than likely, I haven't got the hang of using it properly. Questions:
1) When I plane an edge (say 3/4" oak), after a number of strokes where I have the plane sitting flat to the side, a bevel occurs. Initially, I figured it was the iron was a little skewed (in relation to the bed of the plane,) and it was. But sometimes I still get that bevel when I don't think there is a skew on the iron. Is there a way to make sure, other than sight, that the iron is parallel with the mouth?
2) Could the sole of the plane NOT be flat?
3) Is it technique? Could I be doing something wrong?
4) Is there a way to 'tighten' the lever that holds the iron to the bed? Too many times, while I am in the middle of working with it, I accidentally hit the lever and have to stop and readjust the iron and carefully push the lever to the right to hold the iron back in place. Maybe it's just part of it, but it can be frustrating.