A Question of Spokeshaves

[OPJ]

Hi all,

A few months ago, about this pair of old Record spokeshaves off eBay. Model numbers are A151 and O151, if I remember rightly.

I was using them this morning on some pine (mock-up for a potential dining table leg). As usual, it takes a bit of patience to get them set just right - even more so for the round-bottomed 'shave! :x I could get them to cut nicely but my biggest issue with these is that the mouths clog up too quickly and need to be cleared more often.

Would filing the mouths to open wider be of any benefit? Or, would that have the opposite effect and increase chattering and tearout, as there's less support close to the cutting edge?

My other question is whether it's possible to purchase and fit a thicker blade for a round-bottomed 'shave? I've looked around but can't seem to find such a thing. I reckon it could reduce chattering though.

Upgrading to a Clifton or Veritas is out of the question and I'd really like to get the best out of the two I now have.

Thanks for looking,

Olly.

 

[wizer]

Olly have you seen the FWW article by Brian Boggs on fettling these 'shaves?

 

[woodbloke]

I don't know if you can fit a thicker blade to these sorts of shaves...I expect someone will make one to fit. However I had a couple of these shaves and found them truly awful, even though I was able to close up the mouth with veneer shims (stuck to the bed with d/s tape) I know that the Veritas 'shaves are now about £80 or so a pop but they're a huge improvement on the cheapo Record/Stanley offerings - Rob

 

[OPJ]

Tom - clearly, I have not! :shock: Do you have a link?

 

[wizer]

http://www.finewoodworking.com/subscrip ... px?id=5207

The article is linked under the video 'Soup up your spokeshave'

If you don't have a sub, let me know.

 

[xy mosian]

I have a couple of Stanley's (they're not Stanley's they're mine :lol: ) of the same pattern which I don't use. I replaced both with a cheap wooden Spokshave found at a boot sale or similar. Now that is a pleasure to use!

xy

 

[big soft moose]

I have a couple of Stanley's (they're not Stanley's they're mine :lol: ) of the same pattern which I don't use. I replaced both with a cheap wooden Spokshave found at a boot sale or similar. Now that is a pleasure to use!

xy

I suspect that isnt what olly wants to hear - the two stanleys hes got were an upgrade to a pair of cheap silverlines . I know because the silverlines in question are now in my 'shop, and actually though i havent got anything to compare them to they seem to work okay

as to the veritas clifton etc - 80 notes for a spokeshave :shock: - they are having our keks off - I know they are nice and shiny and well made but there's only about four bits of metal in a spokeshave

 

[David C]

Olly,

Hock make thicker blades (Classis Handtools) as does Ray Iles (The Old Tool Store).

There is quite a comprehensive article in my third book "A Guide To Handtools & Methods" about tuning up spokeshaves. They can be improved a great deal.

Also on page 48 is the design for the adjustable, wedge action, spokeshave blade holder which makes sharpening much easier. This cropped up in a thread a while ago!

best wishes,
David Charlesworth

 

[wizer]

Pete I paid £100 each for my Boggs shaves any they were worth every penny, a simple joy to use. My most favourite hand tool.

 

[woodbloke]

Also on page 48 is the design for the adjustable, wedge action, spokeshave blade holder which makes sharpening much easier. This cropped up in a thread a while ago!

best wishes,
David Charlesworth

I can vouch for the blade holder as I made one a while ago and it's really excellent...fits directly into an Eclipse guide. I also made one recently for Waka after he saw me use mine at Pete's (Newt) Bash in June. I don't use mine now though as it won't fit the Kell III - Rob

 

[Vann]

Hock make thicker blades (Classis Handtools) as does Ray Iles (The Old Tool Store).

Lee Valley also make thicker replacement irons for these spokeshaves. 3/32" thick; A2 or O1 steel.
I fitted one into a Falcon-Pope (Aust.) spokeshave I was given and it's certainly feels good, but then I've never used a Veritas or Boggs spokeshave.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Ironballs]

I'm with Tom, the extra cash spent on a decent shave is worth its weight in gold. I've used the Records and Stanleys at college and they're horrible chattery things that tear out, my flat bottomed Veritas is superb and gets used for all kinds of jobs it shouldn't, it's that good. The round bottomed version is going on my Christmas list

 

[wizer]

When I got my Boggs shaves I cut an S shape in a piece of Ash and shaved it smooth. I then when back to the bandsaw and cut out another S and shaved it smooth. I then when back to the bandsaw and cut out another S and shaved it smooth... you get the picture :lol:

 

[OPJ]

Thanks to Tom for sending me a copy for the article and also to David C - I found some time earlier to make one of your jigs and it does work very well; honing has become much easier. :wink:

I'm still looking at my options for a new, thicker blade. I'd been hoping to find a British manufacturer of thicker irons but, I appear to have drawn a blank. The blade on the A151 doesn't have much life left, to be honest - it is worth replacing anyway. My O151 (flat sole) works fine for me so, I'll leave that one alone for now.

 

[Racers]

OPJ wrote

I'd been hoping to find a British manufacturer of thicker irons but, I appear to have drawn a blank

Previously David C wrote

Olly,

Hock make thicker blades (Classis Handtools) as does Ray Iles (The Old Tool Store).

Ray Isles Lincolnshire isn't that British? I know the talk funny :wink:

I sold all my Record and Stanley spokeshaves I use wooden or Preston ones and my Hock bladed homemade one, see David C book for details of how to make them (its very good). Low-angle spoke shaves are a joy to use, pick some up from Ebay add a new ware strip and shave away.

Pete

 

[OPJ]

Well spotted, Pete!

I have sent Ray an e-mail to confirm things but, according to his website, they only do standard-thickness blades for my models.

 

[DaveL]

How about talking to Philly? He might be encouraged to make you one.

 

[woodbloke]

How about talking to Philly? He might be encouraged to make you one.

I've also used a Phillyshave...recommended! - Rob

 

[Escudo]

I have a spokeshave but to date have not had an opportunity to use it.

Out of interest what sort of tasks, in everyday woodworking, do you fellas use your spokeshaves for?

I need to be enlightened :roll:

Tony.

 

[wizer]

they are for cleaning up curves and shaping parts, such as rounding a chair slat dowel.