I’ve now flattened the sole using 100 micron and sharpened again and seems to work OK on 1/2 inch basswood.
Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions but I think it’s time to leave the subject now.
I’ve planed off the original rebate and replaned it, the new one hardly discernible. The bed it waxed and the blade sharpened to within an inch of its life. Still gives a thunk! Is there an expert I could visit to solve the problem?
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. The plane Is a #4 which might not be heavy/long enough. The wood is 1/2 inch pine. The plane is sharpened up to 1000 grit which might not be enough?
time to call in the mitre saw? 😥
I have made a couple of shooting boards from instructions on YouTube but instead of a satisfying swoosh it results in an unsatisfying thunk on all but the thinnest wood. The plane is very sharp and works perfectly in “normal” use. Any ideas as to what might be going wrong?