[Q] Spokeshave setting; just checking

[Fromey]

I tried using a spokeshave for the first time this weekend. I was surprised to find none of my woodworking books stated if a spokeshave is bevel up or down. The best I could find was the picture in Aldren Watson's "Hand tools" which showed the blade as bevel down. I've just checked a Lie Neilsen video about setting up and sharpening and it appears to be bevel down as well (although not clearly stated).

Thus, I'm just checking the collective wisdom here. Spokeshaves are bevel down, right?

P.S. I've managed to get it to work in both bevel up and down and there's not much difference between the two.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

Yep, bevel down.

Pete

 

[DTR]

Metal spokeshaves are bevel down, wooden spokeshaves are bevel up.

(there's probably exceptions to both of those statements)

 

[Fromey]

Thank you!

 

[bugbear]

Metal spokeshaves are bevel down, wooden spokeshaves are bevel up.

(there's probably exceptions to both of those statements)

There are some metal spokeshaves that work like the old wooden design - bevel up; notably the much discusssed (at launch) Veritas Low Angle which I own and adore.

IIRC Rapier also did a Alumnium bodied woodie-a-like.

(googly... confirmed)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61395683@N02/5643385770/

I don't recall ever seeing a wooden bevel down model.

To the OP - (modern) spokeshaves are sometimes described as ultra short bodied planes, and are indeed bevel down.

BTW, the round soled variants are notably trickier to use than the flat soled ones.

BugBear

 

[Fromey]

I have a classic Record spokeshave that I picked up for only £5. Indeed, I've found it tricky to use, so am wondering if it is a rounded one (I've not looked closely at the sole, but now that I think about it, I suspect it has a slight curve to it).

 

[Racers]

Hi, Fromley

The best spokeshaves are the old wooden low angle ones, I made one from a Hock blade, it works much better than my Preston's which are better then the Stanley/Record ones.
Wooden ones can be re-mouthed with hardwood or brass and grub screws fitted to solve loose blade problems.

Pete