Norris Type Adjusters & Plane Irons

[Harbo]

I have being doing a bit of research and for those interested have found the following Norris type adjusters:-
Ray Iles - £40 (through Toolbazaar)
Bristol Design - £36 (just a few left)
Classic Planes - £39
Karl Holtey - £145 (considered the best!)

Irons:-
Toolbazaar [Saxon Steels (Sheffield) Ltd] - £40
Classic Planes - £30 ish (£28.50 on Ebay?)
Ray Ilses makes a special iron for his A5 but do not know if he sells it separately?

Have no other info re. quality etc

Rod

 

[David C]

I'm sure Ray will be happy to supply almost any iron.

He also does custom thickness, which allows one to control mouth width for infills.

David Charlesworth

 

[Harbo]

I emailed Ray, but still waiting a reply.

In the mean time have been in touch with Jim Reed who will make a 2 1/8" blade for a Norris A5 for $44 including postage from the USA.
Had to guess at some of the measurements as my original one is nearly ground down to the slot!

Rod

 

[Anonymous]

Don't forget that Lie Nielsen (and Veritas) irons are very reasonably pried and thick A2 steel - superior to Hock etc. in my experience

I have fitted them in various #5 and #6 Stanleys and a Record without problem

 

[Joel Moskowitz]

Don't forget that the original irons for the infills were fitted for thickness - there is no point in getting a stock thickness iron, decided what mouth opening you want and get an iron custom ground to the right thickness you want - Ray does this I would guess some of the other iron makers would too.

 

[Harbo]

Finally had a reply from Ray Iles (from Sam?). They will make a replacement iron for £35 but would like my plane to ensure a perfect fit.
Still communicating but replies are very slow - they must be very busy?

Rod

 

[engineer one]

don't they do many operations by hand, with a few people ???

maybe that's the answer

paul :wink:

 

[Alf]

Rod, you might do better 'phoning rather than emailing - at least that seems to have been folks' experience in the past. Very small - and busy - operation, so not alot of spare to check emails I s'pose.

Cheers, Alf

 

[bugbear]

Rod, you might do better 'phoning rather than emailing

Certainly (and famously) applies to Clifton!!

BugBear

 

[Harbo]

Finally phoned the Old Tool Shop - Sam turns out to be Ray's daughter.
Ray " does not do email"

After a chat about the importance of a tight mouth, have been persuaded to send my plane for a perfect fit!
It seem they are busy churning out mortise chisels - the Americans cannot get enough of them :wink:

Rod

 

[bugbear]

Finally phoned the Old Tool Shop - Sam turns out to be Ray's daughter.
Ray " does not do email"

After a chat about the importance of a tight mouth, have been persuaded to send my plane for a perfect fit!
It seem they are busy churning out mortise chisels - the Americans cannot get enough of them :wink:

Rod

Excellent. I'm all in favour of anything that keeps Ray in a thriving business.

BugBear

 

[Harbo]

Ray turned my A5 round in a couple of days. He managed to fit a 4.5mm thick iron to replace the original 3.4mm Norris - so very tight mouth.
Whilst it was with him he also tidied the mouth and tightened a loose infill - all for £35.

I did buy a few other things - could not resist a 1/4" "pig sticker" (I have a few other vintage ones but not a 1/4") - lovely chisel and a few London Pattern boxwood handles - do not know how he does them for the price?

Ray's Norris adjuster is a single thread type - he reckons the dual thread Norris one is too coarse?

Rod