Calvert Stevens

[katellwood]

As shown a record screw cap iron will fit the CS88 and as I previously mentioned and reiterated by Paul and Rob this type of cap iron is essential for the norris style adjuster.

It escapes me why the original designers did not include a screw cap in the original design.

 

[woodbloke]

This is a shot of my CS88 with the cap iron mod:

I brazed a lump of brass over lower hole and re-drilled it, cut off the lever bit and then re-tapped for a bolt from a Record No4 cap iron. It seemed to work OK but I was never really happy with it. I also put a LN iron in which improved it a bit - Rob

 

[dannykaye]

I know this is silly and I already have a load of planes, including the prototype of the Ray Isles A6 that is suitable for the same stuff a cs88 is. But, I always wanted one of these and ...

Anyone got a spare record screw cap like the one in katellwood's picture they want to sell?

Danny

 

[dannykaye]

I don't know what has been done to this plane but the frog adjuster is bent, the screw part, which looks about 2ba and half an inch long, has a bend in it!

Danny

 

[Alf]

Someone really, really didn't get along with that CS88.

 

[Racers]

He fell down the stairs sarge, honest :wink:

Pete

 

[AndyT]

Since this thread started, I've been following a mint-looking Calvert Stevens 88 on eBay to see what all the fuss was about.
It's just finished - £225 after 20 bids. Pics here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110824454809

 

[katellwood]

Danny

Just got in from work and read your latest, not had time to go and look at my CS however I think the frog mouth adjuster is a large knurled brass nut the thread of which I am unsure.

The way you describe yours would suggest that it is not an original part photo's would really help as there is a possibility that i could make a replacement using mine as a pattern (when time permits)

the only issue is that your plane contains the same thread and has not been retapped

 

[katellwood]

Danny

If you mean the frog adjusting screw and the threads in a CS are the same as those in a basic record then this will show the thread used

Im assuming its no 5 in the above drawing

 

[dannykaye]

Thanks, I think it is the original, I'll post some pics if I can remember how

Danny

 

[dannykaye]

Some pics, you can see the bent adjustment screw in the last one, after pics to follow(don't hold your breath), I have a Quangsheng blade and Clifton 2 piece ~(sorry I like them) cap iron.For the moment I have a faithfull screw cap but I am looking for a better option, I might end up making a plain brass one.

Higher quality available if anyone really wants it

 

[AndyT]

That really doesn't look too bad. The rust is superficial - easily removable by whatever method you prefer. I think I'd just use a kitchen scourer and "Barkeeper's Friend" or else some fine wet and dry, with WD40 as a lubricant. And I'd try to straighten the brass adjuster, which is original, judging from the ebay pictures. I'm assuming you are looking on it as being a good plane to use, rather than re-sell.
I might even have bought it myself if I'd spotted it!

 

[Alf]

The 00298 on the body casting beneath the rear tote - is that a individual plane number? Any other CS owners care to take a look at theirs? Just curious.

And it's only a little bit bent, Danny. Call it character...

 

[dunbarhamlin]

683 (the other way up and no leading zeroes) or perhaps 889 since the "3" is a little fudged

 

[Modernist]

Seems to have the worst of all worlds, notwithstanding the alpine sole.

The lever cap is retained by a knurled screw so you cannot even release the blade tension for adjustment with a screwdriver.

I could understand it if C and S were accountants but they were apparently plane engineers, clearly not woodworkers.

The ebay description contains the final accolade that it enjoyed the shortest ever production run.

What a donkey. I don't think LN et al could have asked for much more help to get going.

 

[katellwood]

Seems to have the worst of all worlds, notwithstanding the alpine sole.

The lever cap is retained by a knurled screw so you cannot even release the blade tension for adjustment with a screwdriver.

I could understand it if C and S were accountants but they were apparently plane engineers, clearly not woodworkers.

The ebay description contains the final accolade that it enjoyed the shortest ever production run.

What a donkey. I don't think LN et al could have asked for much more help to get going

I see what you are saying and to some extent agree, the designers incorporated a knurled screw to adjust the mouth however you still need a screwdriver to loosen the frog, this seems pointless to me, a bedrock design would have been better.

In addition the lever cap should have been screw tensioned from the outset (and were available to them as I purchased mine just after purchasing the plane). That being said, change the lever cap or do Woodblokes conversion and you have a good workable plane, never had any complaints whilst working with mine, I love that little bit of additional weight

The other thing I find is that with the norris adjuster there is very little backlash whilst adjusting the depth of cut another plus in my opinion

Finally it was the first ever gift i received from my then to be wife so for me its a keeper no matter what

 

[Vann]

Any chance of a picture of the bottom of the frog. Does the frog have a slot for the flange on the adjuster screw...

..like the later Records (as opposed to the fork used on earlier Records and all Stanleys)?

...the designers incorporated a knurled screw to adjust the mouth however you still need a screwdriver to loosen the frog, this seems pointless to me,

Maybe it was an attempt to get around the need for a very long screwdriver. I always have hassles getting square onto that screw slot, what with the tote in the way...

...I have a Quangsheng blade and Clifton 2 piece ~(sorry I like them) cap iron.

=D> Another man has seen the light

I'll get me coat...

Cheers, Vann.

 

[bugbear]

Any chance of a picture of the bottom of the frog. Does the frog have a slot for the flange on the adjuster screw...

..like the later Records (as opposed to the fork used on earlier Records and all Stanleys)?

I've alway hated that design - a thin, unsupported piece of cast iron, under side force. Yech.

BugBear

 

[Vann]

Does the frog have a slot for the flange on the adjuster screw...

..like the later Records (as opposed to the fork used on earlier Records and all Stanleys)?

I've alway hated that design - a thin, unsupported piece of cast iron, under side force. Yech.

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I thought the upmarket CS88 might have reverted to the older style of frog adjuster - not that I've ever heard of a cast iron one breaking, but it just doesn't feel right.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[GazPal]

The cast iron adjuster "nib" does work perfectly well though I just tend to think of this particular modification as one of those improvements that works well enough to keep. :wink: