Fettling an old Block Plane (page 3)

This one still needs work as it is only honed at the extreme edges. In some severe cases you may have to bend the blade flat with a blow from a hammer over a gap in a block of wood or across open engineers vice jaws. This takes some skill, and it would need re-grinding, so if in doubt just keep honing - it will be worth it.


Set up the blade in a honing guide to 30 degrees. This one is the veritas gauge. Once set you can repeat the setting by means of a simple marking of the protruding length of blade on a piece of wood or the bench top.
Hone the bevel to a secondary bevel of 30 degrees. In this case I use lamp oil (deodorised paraffin/kerosene) on a steel diamond plate. I choose to hold the blade "backwards" like in the picture. There is never a "correct" way of doing anything, just a traditional way, but if you find a different way is easier for you and not dangerous, then go for it. I protect my injured thumb band-aid from the oil with a piece cut from a rubber glove. It lasts long enough before going soft. Rub the blade about 10 strokes, until a small burr is felt on the back of the edge.....


....then turn onto its back and flatten off the burr. Then you alternately hone bevel and back one stroke each side, lighter and lighter, until no burr exists. You have a sharp edge if you can see no brightness on the edge when held in a light, or the blade digs into your thumbnail with the slightest pressure.


You should finish up with a secondary bevel evenly across the ground bevel.

Put the plane back together with a little light oil between the moving parts, preferable Camellia oil. If the adjustable mouth will not close within half a millimetre (1/32") of the blade edge, discard the adjusting lever under the knurled screw and replace with a spring washer and a plain washer. This will give full and quick adjustment with adequate fixing.
Finished. Looks the same does it not? But when set up finely it will now plane transparent 1 thou shavings!

The more observant will see that I have removed the adjuster for the simple reason that with it in place the mouth would not close up finely enough. Even vintage Record planes were a bit roughly made at times though the older ones are usually better. It's in a safe place for when I sell the plane again!