Axminster Rider Planes Any Owners Opinions?

[pollys13]

Because of budget constraints. I'm looking at getting a couple of Axminster Rider planes, defiantly a Rider No 92 shoulder plane, perhaps a block plane and perhaps another. I have a very nice Quangsheng Num 4 smoothing plane. Axminster describe the Rider range in terms of,

" Axminster Rider planes are aimed squarely at professional woodworkers, tradespeople, apprentices, enthusiastic hobbyists and home owners. Every one of them will appreciate these well-made, affordable hand tools. Tools made with care and attention to fine detail, setting them apart from the run of the mill. " Continues, " All planes undergo careful inspection in our workshop in Axminster prior to packaging.
precision machined, precision ground and polished to ensure accurate results.

Sole is flat and the sides are square to the sole. "

Are there any owners of Rider planes who can give a user opinion on the planes? Also what I would need to check and how? To ensure I bought a 100% good example. I might have to get a granite block from Axminster and find out how to lap the soles.
Thanks all,
Peter.

 

[pollys13]

Searched the forum for Axminster Rider planes got quite a few owner, user, positives.

 

[lurker]

A thickish bit of mrmdf will work as well as a granite block.

 

[pollys13]

A thickish bit of mrmdf will work as well as a granite block.

OK cheers.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A cast iron machine table is usually OK, or an offcut of 6mm or thicker glass. Whether the sides are 100% square doesn't really matter too much - the iron is adjustable laterally, so any difference can be taken up. If you reset your iron while using a shooting board you should check the work for square anyway.

 

[pollys13]

A cast iron machine table is usually OK, or an offcut of 6mm or thicker glass. Whether the sides are 100% square doesn't really matter too much - the iron is adjustable laterally, so any difference can be taken up. If you reset your iron while using a shooting board you should check the work for square anyway.

I had thought of using the cast iron table of the TS. Not sure about how to attach the abrasive paper to it and also prevent paper moving? If need to lap the plane soles.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Flooding it with white spirit is the usual way.

 

[pollys13]

Flooding it with white spirit is the usual way.

OK cheers.

 

[Brian18741]

Also a piece of thick plate glass is (display shelving, glass table tops eyc) good for a flat surface. Spray adhesive or double sided sticky tape on the sides of the sandpaper will secure it to the surface.

 

[ghettoblaster]

I would also have a look at the Quangsheng Planes from Workshop Heaven.

I have several and I have to say I am very pleased with them for the money! Up there with veritas and the likes for accuracy just not so polished.

With these you will not need to do any real setup, just a quick hone of the iron. One of mine was taking 0.015mm shavings out of the box with no sharpening.

Well worth considering!