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another cap-iron question (you can never have too many!): as Derek mentioned, the setting of the cap-iron also changes how the chips are deflected (very close = straight, too close = accordion crinkle, normal = curled). When at a "normal" (i.e not very fine) setting, does the cap iron help...

I didn't explain myself properly Derek - I meant to describe the Stay-set and Millers falls cap-iron inventions as 'blade stiffeners' rather than implying that this is what the cap-iron is for. I think the historical context is relevant here, since we know that cap-irons pre-date the Bailey...

indeed, everyone seems to agree that when a bench plane judders it is typically down to technique or poor set-up, rather than the blade vibrating. It also seems that the circumstances where the blade can really chatter are so uncommon that it is hard to justify upgrading the standard bailey...

a few more remarks on the stay-set, including a couple of pics for those who have not come across them. One of the grumbles about the design is that there can be some play in the connection between the two halves of the cap-iron, and this makes it hard to adjust to a fine setting...

we heard all about the marvellous Millers Falls two part lever cap here: bench-plane-review-record-4-vs-millers-falls-t103412.html How does it compare to the Record two part cap iron (aka the 'stay set')? Both devices help to stiffen a thin blade by adding pressure at 3 points, rather than...

thanks andy - very interesting

here is the 1961 version - there were a few upgrades to the 'major' version by 1971!

Hello all, I got in touch with Rob Lee of Lee Valley (Veritas) and he was kind enough to reply to my daft enquiries. The disappointing news is they do not have any plans to reintroduce the 2-piece lever cap - one of the problems being that there is no standard for the set-back distance for...

forgive my ignorance, but is this the normal type of dowel cutter? (Wm Ridgway 1936) I think I can see how this one works (giant pencil sharpener?) - how does the OP's work?

I resemble that remark! Actually I clog my strop with a pink buffing compound. The good news is it only cost £8 and will last years - any clogging is easily fixed by scraping the top of the strop every now and then with the side of a plane iron.

thanks all - fascinating. Some information on the planes Richard mentioned here: http://thomasguild.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/the-medieval-toolchest-plane-part-4.html Andy, hopefully you already know about this site, else I am afraid I am the cause of another mammoth rabbit hole for you to go...

while digging around I found mention of US made Loughborough planes and there was a picture that showed a thumbscrew lever cap. Unfortunately I can no longer find the website where I saw it (I thought it was on Joel's site, but now I can't find the reference). Anyhow, the site mentioned a...

yes - I was particularly interested in the screw lever cap, however this is because I had wrongly assumed that there had only been two types (thumb screw and the cam version) and that the screw was the first type to be created. I also assumed (wrongly) they had only been produced for metal...

... according to this site: https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/blog/865/title/Two+New+Books+for+Tool+Collectors ..it was a Londoner called Fenn in the 1840s - does anyone have any more information?

actually, old sofas are an even better idea than my old boot suggestion!

I made my last two strops from bits of leather obtained from a pair of my wife's old leather boots and it was perfect. For unknown reasons my missus has hundreds of black boots, so finding a surplus pair was not a major problem. However, this is not really a sustainable solution for others...

Right, I am never one to leave a dead horse unflogged, so here is the promised information about imitators of the marvellous MF lever cap. I already remarked that only one (that I could find) highly discerning manufacturer copied the design. Who was it I hear you all cry?! Non other than...

indeed, and as Mr Sellers himself says the evidence of chatter can be removed with a couple of swipes with the sandpaper in any case. I am still intrigued by the - admittedly very subjective - comments on the improved way that planes feel when using a Record Stay Set, and wonder if the same...

and on another semi-serious note (I am on a roll!) having read the second post by Paul Sellers on chatter: https://paulsellers.com/2012/10/more-controversy-and-myth-busting-vibration-causes-chatter/ I think his argument is that although chatter does happen, and is (partially) mitigated by...

On a semi serious note, I realise chatter is not a major problem, but people frequently opt for stiffer blades - either by buying thicker blades or using some form of additional stiffening mechanism e.g the Stay-Set (or, dare I say it the MF mighty lever cap!). On that basis I still think the...