Jack in Nepean
Established Member
I have read in a number of places that an improved cap iron/chip breaker will greatly improve the performance of many planes. Noted were the LN and Clifton cap irons, neither of which were readily available to me. I was glad to see that LV is now producing improved cap irons just down the road from me and for less than the LN's (no shipping or border hassles).
After trying out the new Veritas cap iron extensively on an old #3 (1930 ish type 15) at the plane event, I bought three of them for my #3, #4 (Type 13) and #5 (Type 11) Stanleys. Installed on the sweetheart blades in #3 and #4, there was an instant and significant, not huge, but noticeable improvement in performance and a change in the feel of the plane. Impossible to quantify, but the planes seemed tighter (?) and more stable and I was able take very very thin shavings with little effort. They just worked better overall. I don't think they will ever match the performance of the Veritas BU planes on gnarly grain, but on reasonable grain in red oak, cherry or maple the result is very good.
I was, however, disappointed in the effect on the Type 11 #5 - no improvement noticeable. Given the foregoing, I was very surprised. I bought the plane several years ago at an estate sale and it came with a ruler tricked blade (dated, I think Feb., 1910). The back bevel has since been removed and the blade reground to 25 degrees with a 30 or so degree secondary bevel.
I also have a fairly modern (post war) Rapier (sentimental value) that had already retrofitted with a Hock replacement blade, which improved the performance a lot. Before returning the cap iron, I thought I would try it on the Rapier - wow - it went from an adequate site user to at least the equivalent of the Stanley #5.
I should note that all of these planes have been fettled to the best of my ability - general cleanup and lubrication, sole flattened on a surface plate (not perfectly, but enough), frog seated with grinding compound, frog flattened and set square, blade flattened, polished and well sharpened and cap irons fitted and polished. I'm a bit fussy but not fanatic. Nor do I profess to be an expert at any of the foregoing.
Are they worth the money? Since I had less than $100 invested in these 4 planes, I think they are rather inexpensive way greatly improve the performance of those yard sale (boot sale) finds. YMMV
Please note that the references to Stanley types is based on Patrick Leach's information, which is for US manufactured planes. Mine are made in Canada so while the type seems accurate, the dates may not be.
Nepean is now part of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
After trying out the new Veritas cap iron extensively on an old #3 (1930 ish type 15) at the plane event, I bought three of them for my #3, #4 (Type 13) and #5 (Type 11) Stanleys. Installed on the sweetheart blades in #3 and #4, there was an instant and significant, not huge, but noticeable improvement in performance and a change in the feel of the plane. Impossible to quantify, but the planes seemed tighter (?) and more stable and I was able take very very thin shavings with little effort. They just worked better overall. I don't think they will ever match the performance of the Veritas BU planes on gnarly grain, but on reasonable grain in red oak, cherry or maple the result is very good.
I was, however, disappointed in the effect on the Type 11 #5 - no improvement noticeable. Given the foregoing, I was very surprised. I bought the plane several years ago at an estate sale and it came with a ruler tricked blade (dated, I think Feb., 1910). The back bevel has since been removed and the blade reground to 25 degrees with a 30 or so degree secondary bevel.
I also have a fairly modern (post war) Rapier (sentimental value) that had already retrofitted with a Hock replacement blade, which improved the performance a lot. Before returning the cap iron, I thought I would try it on the Rapier - wow - it went from an adequate site user to at least the equivalent of the Stanley #5.
I should note that all of these planes have been fettled to the best of my ability - general cleanup and lubrication, sole flattened on a surface plate (not perfectly, but enough), frog seated with grinding compound, frog flattened and set square, blade flattened, polished and well sharpened and cap irons fitted and polished. I'm a bit fussy but not fanatic. Nor do I profess to be an expert at any of the foregoing.
Are they worth the money? Since I had less than $100 invested in these 4 planes, I think they are rather inexpensive way greatly improve the performance of those yard sale (boot sale) finds. YMMV
Please note that the references to Stanley types is based on Patrick Leach's information, which is for US manufactured planes. Mine are made in Canada so while the type seems accurate, the dates may not be.
Nepean is now part of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
