But combination planes, these days, are always old – i.e. second-hand. When you
get them you hope that the skates are parallel, but if so are seldom level and
often at a ‘wrong’ angle to the line of the fence.

I have bought several (after some work on them) excellent combi
planes of all types, by all the main makes – 44s, 45s, 50, and a couple of old
55s over the years but all have needed some fettling (principally on the
skates) to work properly.

From the evident lack of wear they were made like that -
previous owners expected them to work straight from the box.

It’s all very well getting a bargain from the internet, but
tools, old or new, always needed fettling to work and I hope that you’ll devote
some blog space to showing how to get these planes in a fit state to work.

All best from Wales