Reverse adjustment plane.

[Mr T]

It's always interesting to see the tools students bring along to my classes. On this weekend's beginners course an interesting old plane which I have not come across before turned up. I have never seen a plane before where the adjustment wheel works the opposite way to usual. To increase the cut the wheel is turned anti clockwise.

There is no branding on it but I would day it is pretty old with a swat rosewood knob and unusual seating of the frog.

Has anyone seen one before.

 

[matt_southward]

Looks like my Stanley #6 type 6 from around 1888 or so which I recently bought off eBay. I agree that the reverse thread takes quite some getting used to! Also is the adjustment wheel of a smaller diameter? This takes getting used too as well. I would say it's almost certainly a Stanley as they were still in patent around that time - exactly which date I don't know.

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Sargent and Millers Falls planes both have wheels that adjust the 'wrong' way. So that is not uncommon, though a nuisance, when you have used planes for a lifetime and instinctively want to turn the wheel the 'right' way. I had a Sargent VBM jack which I had to sell on, because it was a pain to use, because of that.


Mike.

 

[matt_southward]

Interesting - so maybe not Stanley then. I can't remember, but thought they changed to the opposite thread around 1890ish (could be way off on that date though) so maybe it is one of those copies from just after the patents expired. Which incidentally would be stamped on the lateral adjustment lever and inside the adjustment wheel. If there are no such markings it must be a later copy I guess. It is a very close match design wise to my Stanley though, if it's a copy it looks exact!

 

[Mr T]

No, I wouldn't be able to handle the opposite adjustment either. It's actually a No 5. There is nothing stamped on the wheel or lateral adjuster. There is an "S" on the underside of the cap iron.

The adjustment wheel flange is worn very thin making for a lot of back lash.

Chris

 

[matt_southward]

I'm not sure the type matters relative to the plane size ie you can have a type 6 No 5 or 6 - the general fitments on the two would be the same, the type number was the iterative model change number. The early Stanley's had an S under the lever cap so either it is a Stanley or the lever cap got pinched off one. I don't mind the opposite adjustment too much, but the small wheel is a bit of a pain I think

 

[Setch]

I have a lovely old Sargent Jack plane which works the 'wrong' way. I find it easy to use, possibly because I'm a lefty.

 

[Bod]

Stanley type #6 1888-1892.
http://www.hyperkitten.com/tools/stanle ... y.php#Type 6

Bod

 

[matt_southward]

I think the body is a type 6 Stanley - but what about the lack of patent stamps? A later frog perhaps, or did they make some without the patent markings?

 

[Vann]

Stanley type #6 1888-1892.
http://www.hyperkitten.com/tools/stanle ... y.php#Type 6

I disagree. Type 6 was the first to have the left-hand thread on the depth adjuster. This one has a right-hand thread.
But it's not type 5 either as that didn't have the disc at the bottom of the lateral. The "S" on the lever-cap suggests type 7, but there's no corresponding "S" on the base or frog. Also, the large "No.5" on the front looks all wrong for a Stanley ('though I could be wrong on this).

No patent dates on the lateral or brass wheel - that's also wrong for a Stanley of this vintage.

My guess is it's a competitor, or a clone (if there's a difference?)

Cheers, Vann.

 

[G S Haydon]

We have a Stanley #8 that works in the same way and looks just like this. In time I suppose you could get used to it but the small adjustment wheel is not nice at all.

 

[Mr T]

Today the same student brought this plane to the class. It's an infill plane with AEW Woodcock stamped on the iron. The infill looks like mahogany. After a quick sharpen it worked well. I offered him £10 for it but he wasn't interested!

It's interesting that the blade looked like it had been sharpened Paul Sellers/Jacob style with a curved bevel. I had a go at measuring the bevel where the curve met the edge and it appeared to be about 40 to 45 degrees. This is one of my reservations about this method ie that the angle will become progressively steeper as the sharpener seeks a burr.

Hope this doesn't launch another vituperative sharpening thread!

Chris

 

[AndyT]

I see that the Woodcock woodscrew has a left hand thread! Very appropriate.