Plane Retrofits Improve Design and Comfort

DSC_0016 A couple of years ago I noticed that two of the Veritas planes have fence or and depth stop slip because I can’t apply enough thumb and finger pressure to cinch the knurled mechanisms tight to the shaft/s. My hands and fingers are extremely strong and the problem wasn’t me so much as a design issue. I approached veritas with what I encountered and see that the problem still exists in the router plane and the small plow plane they manufacture. I can’t risk fence and depth slippage in either tool and had hoped the problems could be reconciled. I thought it might help if I showed you what I did.

 

DSC_0002 DSC_0003 DSC_0004 My suggestion in the past was some type of grip to fit over the clamp screw that would enable a tighter grip. I can’t manufacture that but innovators could. Instead I cut a channel across the end of the securing lock nut about 3mm deep. DSC_0008 DSC_0010 DSC_0011 You can see I used a channeled piece of wood to guide the saw squarely across the end so that it didn’t skip around. Then I cut two channels into the walls of nut either side of the centre using the same hacksaw. The kerf is two blade kerfs wide. The side channels guide the key in and the channel across the end that connects the two channels is where I can apply more solid pressure. I used a 3-square file to relieve the edges. DSC_0014 This channel matches the thickness of some brass plate I had. In the brass plate I used to make the key I removed a section from the center of the plate to match the brass tightener and shaped the end. Turning this turnscrew even mildly ensures the security of the assembly perfectly and resolves the design flaw.

DSC_0016

Stanley too has a minor flaw in that on their #4 planes they have no set screw to the fore part of the tote. This means that the tote can slip and the screw often loosens as a result. I add a piece of silicone shelf liner between the tote and the cast iron sole, which totally resolves the screw from coming loose
DSC_0022 DSC_0023 .

12 Comments

  1. The trick with the shelf liner is really neat. I think I have to try that. I have a No 4 at home that has the same problem.
    Thanks for the solution
    Brgds
    Jonas

    1. Paul, try a small fiber washer just under the brass nut to take up the slack, works really well. BTW thanks for sharing your insights and knowledge. You are an inspiration.

  2. The problem with the Veritas small router plane is well known as the cutter rotates if you push the plane hard at an angle while the Lie-Nielsen’s (with a square shank) does not have that problem. However, this is the first time I heard of a tightening problem with the large Veritas plane (square shank cutters), a problem I never experience. My large router plane from Veritas has worked fine without any concerns all these years.

    Simon

    1. I’ve seen the main problem has been pulling the blade downwards and further out from the plane. Especially was this so in hardwoods such as oak. You may not have a problem if you have strong hands, but many woodworkers not working with their hands and or with smaller hands do have this problem. Now it’s solved. The same is true of the depth stop on the plow plane and the fence on the same. I’m working on one for this too.

      1. Thanks, Paul, for clarifying that. I also heard people complain about the fence on the plow plane, though I have had problem with that either. I did rough up the posts a little bit with coarse sandpaper. I am sure your modified knob approach will work for the plow planes for those who have experienced that problem. Thanks for sharing your solution.

        Simon

    2. Re twisting cutter. I resolved this by filing a flat on the round cutter bar and now there is no twisting from task.

  3. “I can’t manufacture that but innovators could.”
    Instead Paul, you innovated an elegant solution that is easily repeatable (manufacture-able) by anyone with the materials and tools they have at hand. Particularly innovative to me was using a piece of wood with a kerf in it as a guide, something which I would not have considered.

  4. I’ve had this problem on an inerited #4 plane, and couldn’t figue out why. Thanks for the tip.

  5. I too have a loose handle on my #4…. drives me bananas. I’ve tried everything to fix it…. except shelf liner. Huzzah!

  6. Paul …….. Thanks for the tip I have the same problem with a couple of my #4’s so this will get fixed very shortly. Another great tip on the knurled knob, I don’t have either one of those tools but have been considering them in the future.

    I do how ever have Veritas small router where the blade does twist and I did grind a falt in it after I tried roughing up with course sandpaper which did not help. Mr. Robin Lee also mentioned a few weeks ago on one of the Wood Working forums they were coming out with collar stops for the small router which I am anxiously waiting for.

    Have you tried talking to Mr. Robin Lee he seems very responsive when questions are asked on the Forum when something about Lee Valley come up.

    Steve

  7. Paul, I heard a presenter at a woodworking say he broke the brass screw mechanism on a veritas plough trying to get it tight. Sounds like they really need to rethink it.

    1. I have never heard of that and I am surprised because Veritas tools are always well made.. After I made my keyway toggle I thought it might have been easier to drill 3mm (1/8) holes and use a tommy-bar approach using an appropriate allen wrench. I might try that on the plough plane.

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