Advice on replacing a snapped lever cap

[Bluekingfisher]

I bought a small shoulder plane from Axminster a couple of years ago while at the store on a shopping trip Photo below). It looked to be well enough made for the money (around £50 if memory serves).

I had no pressing need for it at the time, so after sitting in the tool box I thought I would try it out.

Unfortunately the lever cap snapped on its maiden trial, as can be seen in the photograph. The metal is a cheap & nasty porous "monkey metal" not even suitable for repair.

i suppose my first port of call should be Axminster, however I doubt spares will be avialable for such inexpensive tools. The plane body itself is quite respectable and worthy of salvage, as is the iron.

It looks as though the plane is based on a Stanley #92 ?? If so, do any of you hand palne afficianados know where I could source a spare lever cap from ?

failing that, the part itself does not look too complicated and could possible be fabricated from suitable stock with the aid of a hacksaw and a file. Would brass stock of suitable dimensions be a good option to make the part from? I ask as this would seem to be the simplest to cut and form with limited metal work tools.

Any advice/guidance is appreciated.

Thanks

David

 

[Bod]

If the plane is in current manufacture, then parts should be available.
If you have proof of purchase, then ask what can be done, it may have been from a bad batch, which is known about.
Other than that the style has been around for many years, so getting another cap-iron won't be difficult.

Bod

 

[Bluekingfisher]

As it happens I have just phoned Axminster and they do indeed sell the replacement part (£4.82 + VAT)

They were not aware of issues with the lever caps breaking, so perhaps just unfortunate this particular one was a 'bad un'. I was also assured if I was not happy with the replacement part I could return it. So for just over a fiver worth the risk.

David

 

[jim_hanna]

As it happens I have just phoned Axminster and they do indeed sell the replacement part (£4.82 + VAT)

They were not aware of issues with the lever caps breaking, so perhaps just unfortunate this particular one was a 'bad un'. I was also assured if I was not happy with the replacement part I could return it. So for just over a fiver worth the risk.

David

They certainly have been told in the past about the lever caps breaking.
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/own-brand-tools-not-such-a-bargain-after-all-t70889.html :roll:

Regards

Jim

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I recieved an email from Axminster to state the replacement part was on its way Jim, so perhaps it will arrive today??

Having received your replacement part, is it an upgrade i.e. better quality on the part which originaly came with the plane or is the metal of similar quality to the origininal?

The original part on mine snapped on almost first use with the cross section of the metal looking similar to that of a chocolate Crunchie or Wispa Bar'

A like for like replacement part will surely snap in no time at all. Such a shame as the rest of the plane is well machined.

David

 

[Tony Zaffuto]

If you have a another break, you may want to try a Stanley replacement part, as it appears the Axminster is a clone of the Stanley. Stanley still offers limited replacement parts for their tools. I bought one a few years ago, as the one that came with my #90 was horribly mis-machined (the replacement was correct).

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Tony - Thanks for the advice.

I found when I got home last night the replacement Axminster part had arrived. It was very late and I was in no mood to try it in the plane. So, other than the briefiest of looks (through the cellophane package) it looks at least to be of a better quality metal.

I'll hopefully have the chance to test it out this evening.

I shall report back with any findings .........+ or -

David

 

[Bluekingfisher]

The replacement lever cap arrived the other day, on further inspection it is coated in an epoxy the type paint so the type of metal from which it was made was difficult to establish.

I flattened of the base to remove the paint and ensure a better contact with top of the iron. It now looked as though the metal is another rough casting with pitting and poorly finished off. Perhaps the paint is an attempt at covering the faults and flaws in the metal?

Anyway, at least it fitted as it should. I tightened it as much as I dare and it held without snapping. Just to be sure I uutightened and tightened it a few times without overdoing it, still seemed ok. It held the iron in place for the small amount of test cuts I made. Whether or not it is a worthy replacement time will tell.

David

 

[John15]

I bought a Stanley Sweetheart shoulder plane from Axminster about a year ago. The casting had defects in a couple of places so I sent it back and got a replacement which appears to be OK.

John

 

[custard]

I tightened it as much as I dare

Shoulder planes shouldn't need much tightening if they've been properly made, screw it down until you're just at the point of clear metal to metal contact, then a quarter turn more is all it needs. Slacken off an eighth of a turn for blade adjustment. Any more than that and you're distorting the tool and it won't work at its best.

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Thanks gents, its not an every day tool for me, although nothing worse than going to use it only to find its defective. I'll keep the tightening force in mind too Custard.

Thanks again

David

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The lever cap looks like it is cast from pot metal (die cast zinc). This is low level construction, used when making cheap parts. It has poor reliability and cannot be repaired. It is a fracture waiting to happen (again).

Personally I would return to plane (if you still can), and purchase a vintage Stanley #93.

Regards from Perth

Derek