No.4 plane thicker iron

[Craigus]

I've got an old Stanley No.4 plane, and I've bought a 2 inch Quangsheng plane iron and cap iron as the originals were a bit knackered and heard a thicker iron can be a good improvement.

I should probably have thought a bit more about it before I got them, but I've put them in and had a little play, but the plane mouth seems too narrow for the iron to protude from. Do I have to file the mouth, or can I adjust something else to accomodate the thicker iron and cap?

Thanks

 

[RogerP]

I had to file the mouth on mine.

 

[fluffflinger]

File the mouth, it's not too much work to get it sorted. Trust me you will not, I repeat, not regret it one bit. I have a No4 with the same set up and it's stunning.

This might help;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEseXH8yzU

 

[lanemaux]

Just before you begin filing , is your frog adjusted all the way back? Filing may not be needed. There should be 2 machine screws through 2 slots in the frog attaching it to the main body. Give these a loosen an pull back. If there is a third screw nearby at 90 degrees to the first 2 , that is an adjusment screw and is used instead of just pulling backward. Worth a try , you can always file later if it does not work out.