Rabbet block507 or skew 140N

[Woody Alan]

Hi

A little esoteric I know, but I am sure one or two of the members ( colle...) own the skew plane. I was about to treat myself to the rabbet block plane and then I was browsing a certain Mr Charlesworths book in which he waxes lyrical about the skew. As I haven't used one I can't tell how much flex there is in use, so was wondering if this skew can equally fulfill all the usual functions of the rabbet as well as it's ability for finer things.

Cheers Alan

 

[Modernist]

Having recently gone through the same thought process I eventually decided on a LH LN 140 skew but in iron. I thought the iron would be more rigid and would not leave black marks if used occasionally on light timbers. It depoends if your RH or LH; but trimming tenons you need a LH plane if your right handed. It is really good at cross grain work but I find it more difficult to hold than a normal shoulder plane for normal rebates. I think fielding would be fine as you need the cross grain and nicker.

Re the nicker I have had some trouble getting it to lock and not spin out of the way in use. IU need to investigate if the clamping screw is bottoming out.

 

[Scott]

Alan

I have both and I must say the 507 doesn't really see the light of day often.

I like the 140 and I think that once you get used to setting the blade it's absolutely fine. I kind of agree with Modernist's comment about needing the 140LH if you're right handed. That was my first instinct as well but then again that would be if, for example, I was trimming a tenon that was hanging over the RH end of the bench.
I realise though that most people probably work at the front of the bench so trimming a tenon that points over the front of the bench would need the 140RH (the one normally offered by shops only offering one version) if you were facing towards the LH end of the bench (so as not to interfere with front/shoulder vice etc). This doesn't feel like a natural working stance to me though. I'm right handed.
I guess, if you have room to do so, you could stand at the LH end of the bench and use the plane in the direction of along the bench front.

Having read all that back it all sounds like a load of codswallop (and probably is!) but what I'm trying to say is that I personally find there are times when the 140 (being handed) feels right and times when it doesn't. Having both LH and RH versions would be my ideal scenario and would also cope with any grain situation as well.

Sorry if my thinking out loud has confused the heck out of you!

 

[Woody Alan]

Scott

Thanks for that ...I think I have an idea for you, why not sell your 507 and buy the other handed skew?

Cheers Alan

 

[Alf]

Having read all that back it all sounds like a load of codswallop (and probably is!) but what I'm trying to say is that I personally find there are times when the 140 (being handed) feels right and times when it doesn't. Having both LH and RH versions would be my ideal scenario and would also cope with any grain situation as well.

I'd agree with all that - including tha codswall-, er, no, just kidding...

fwiw, the RH skew is fine for the hold-work-tenon-pointing-to-the-right thing, just pull it instead of pushing.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Woody Alan]

Alf are you right or left handed then? presuming you have the RH skew.

Alan

 

[Alf]

Right-handed.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Scott]

I have an idea for you, why not sell your 507 and buy the other handed skew?

I know! I should really but I can't bear to part with good tools! It'll get done justice some day .... I tell myself!

just pull it instead of pushing

Aaargh! For some reason I just can't be doing with pulling planes :?

 

[Alf]

Aaargh! For some reason I just can't be doing with pulling planes :?

Chuckle. So you'll never walk into a bar, sidle up to a tasty-looking smoother and ask her what a nice plane like her is doing surrounded by all these scrubs? :lol: Sorry, Friday effect I think....

Cheers, Alf

 

[mahking51]

Chuckle. So you'll never walk into a bar, sidle up to a tasty-looking smoother and ask her what a nice plane like her is doing surrounded by all these scrubs? Sorry, Friday effect I think....

She'd just say: Go and have a shave

martin