Birthday Gloat?

Smudger · 11 May 2008

No 1 son and No1 d-i-l brought me my birthday present today - they bought it in York.

It's a Mackay, Burley and Heys plough plane, made 1883-84 (according to British Planemakers).

It looks to be in excellent condition, the iron (Mathieson) may be bent, or has been forced behind the metal fence - I am assuming that it should 'cover' the fence?

So - I know nothing about wooden planes, really. Is this a gloat?

DaveL · 11 May 2008

Dick,

I am not that well up on woodies but that says GLOAT to me.

It looks like a very well made plane that is still in good usable condition.

One thing that I think is wrong, the iron is in upside down, it should be bevel down, which may explain why it seems bent. :-k

Smudger · 11 May 2008

Yes, I'd figured that. The maker's stamp is facing down - a bit of giveaway!

The whole thing has been restored, so it probably happened then. He wouldn't tell me what he paid for it, but I know the seller had some fairly ordinary Records at about £80...

Waka · 11 May 2008

Dick

Nice gloat, I take it you'll put it to use?

Smudger · 11 May 2008

I've got to, haven't I!

I must admit it feels lovely in the hand. I'd always assumed they were awkward things, but it isn't.

How do I sharpen the cutter?

Martin Cash · 12 May 2008

Smudger":3913rqv0 said:
I've got to, haven't I!

I must admit it feels lovely in the hand. I'd always assumed they were awkward things, but it isn't.

How do I sharpen the cutter?

Beautiful plane.
You may have noticed that the blade has been inserted upside down.
The back of the blade has a milled slot that engages the front of the skate to support and align it.
If the blade bevel is in good shape, then all you will have to do is place the bevel flat on your sharpening stone and sharpen away, no sharpening jig necessary.
The bevel on these blades is quite long and large, and will give you plenty of surface area to lie flat on the stone.
Happy sharpening and grooving.
MC