How long do plane blades last?

[worn thumbs]

In answer to the original question;in a bit over forty years I am now on the fourth iron for my No4,the second for my No5,the third for my No 9 1/2 and the third in my flat spokeshave.I have yet to wear out a chisel.

 

[Jacob]

You may find old carpenters literature from stanley that suggests 25 degrees, but presume that's for carpentry and not cabinetmaking.

I've never seen that - any examples?

Most texts, from both instructors and manufacturers is pretty much 25 primary, 30 secondary.

I suppose plough iron blades are an exception, where Stanley and Record both recommend 35, single bevel.

That's about it.

BugBear

30º is favourite mainly because it's easiest to hit by eye (gradient 1/2 up the slope, half an equilateral triangle corner, third of a right angle). 25º is arbitrary it just needs to be less than 30. But 30 is a bit shallow for narrow blades it makes them fragile so 35 ish is better, or to be precise; a bit more than 30º

 

[JimB]

Even that is very variable. I suspect that your old fashioned worker, at a bench 40 hours a week, would probably only use his No.4 and/or No.5 for 15-30 minutes a day (say 30 seconds - 30 to 60 times in a shift).
I suspect you're not far off Vann. The worse the woodworker the more you'd have to recover from misaligned joints etc needing more finishing.

 

[Jacob]

...how long would the blade of a used-the-most #4 or #5, owned by a 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, full timer last?

Even that is very variable. I suspect that your old fashioned worker, at a bench 40 hours a week, would probably only use his No.4 and/or No.5 for 15-30 minutes a day (say 30 seconds - 30 to 60 times in a shift). ....

When I started up I did a lot entirely by hand (plus bandsaw for ripping) and I'd guess planing would be about 50% of the working time. Planer thicknesser is the most labour saving of all machines by far.

 

[thikone]

On this video you can see how much of the blade was used in 8 years:
https://youtu.be/bDyzlT-2HDY?t=7m7s

Looks like 1 mm every year.

 

[bugbear]

You may find old carpenters literature from stanley that suggests 25 degrees, but presume that's for carpentry and not cabinetmaking.

I've never seen that - any examples?

Most texts, from both instructors and manufacturers is pretty much 25 primary, 30 secondary.

I suppose plough iron blades are an exception, where Stanley and Record both recommend 35, single bevel.

That's about it.

BugBear

No, I've got no source for that. I had a stanley block plane blade or plane (can't remember which) where the back of the package said to grind 25-30 and hone 30-35.

I'm recalling 25 degrees as something someone mentioned on a forum, but that doesn't mean it was ever printed. I may also be remembering that stanley has provided irons with 25 degree bevels and with 30 degree bevels. The later ones have a recommendation on the blade, right (I don't have much "later" hardware). Anyone know what grind angle was written on the irons?

OK, so the "carpenters literature from Stanley" thing is red herring. Thanks.

BugBear

 

[JimB]

Grind angle on Record is 25 degrees. That's from the etched guide on the back iron.

 

[D_W]

OK, so the "carpenters literature from Stanley" thing is red herring. Thanks.

BugBear

As in a diversion to mislead? No. I'll see if I can find something. I have more than once read recommendations to sharpen planes at 25 degrees, but it's possible it wasn't stanley.

I don't post anything intentionally misleading.

 

[JimB]

I remembered that I had a couple of old record 4s in the shed so I dug them out. The latest date for them would be about 1955. They have both seen a lot of use in the past from their condition and have the best cast crucible steel stamping on the irons. Both irons have at least 40mm of wear left. I know it doesn't prove anything but is another indication that smoothing plane irons don't wear out quickly unless mutilated.

 

[Trafalgar]

You may find old carpenters literature from stanley that suggests 25 degrees, but presume that's for carpentry and not cabinetmaking.

I've never seen that - any examples?

Most texts, from both instructors and manufacturers is pretty much 25 primary, 30 secondary.

I suppose plough iron blades are an exception, where Stanley and Record both recommend 35, single bevel.

That's about it.

BugBear

Planecraft:

"There is much to be said in favour of the method of honing which is employed by many experienced craftsmen in which the whole of the surface of the 25* bevel is honed to a keen edge, thus using one bevel instead of two."


One can continue to try to wring the information out of the internet, or read Planecraft. The latter is much easier.

Before you critique the technique, the book, me, etc. consider trying it first.