Record 044

[beech1948]

I was just wondering why this plane even exists and what jobs was it designed to do that could not be done by other record planes.

My 043 and 405 seem to cover all of the probable needs from very small drawer grooves upto a wide sash cutter and some T&G.

The 044 seems to come with only a few (8 I think) basic groove/ dado cutters...so why?

Just curious

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Because someone wants to make bigger grooves and doesn't have a 405? You're question seems predicated on a person owning a 405.

Other reasons: Because they could sell them. Because they were cheaper then a 405. Also, it was probably available before a 405 was (not checked).

 

[MikeW]

I agree with Paul.

I think that it was simply the smallest handled plow they made, which means to me if one wanted a small plow which could be used a tad easier and use a bit larger blades than an 043 [which size I love] without the expense and extensibility of the 050 when all they wanted was to do is plow...that to me is where the 044 comes into play.

Personally, I have skipped over the 044 in favor of the 050. Now if a really nice 044 were to all but fall into my hands, I would add it because I really do like plow planes.

Take care, Mike

 

[beech1948]

Paul,
Yes, yes and yes to your ideas. Most of them occurred to me but I was interested in any woodworking task that this plane was made to execute either better or uniquely than the 043/405.

As I see it there isn't such a task which can be identified.

regards

Alan[/list]

 

[Alf]

What it does is give a direct metal replacement for the old wooden ploughs - 8 cutters and all. I've always assumed Record were catering for the more traditionally-minded British (and probably colonial) craftsman who found the 043 too small and the 405 unnecessary. It doesn't do anything unique, not even dados.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Philly]

The #44 is a lovely looker, too!
If you see a mint one with all the blades for the right price - get it! I know I did...... :lol:
Cheers
Philly
Who doesn't want to be left behind with all this gloating business...... :wink:

 

[beech1948]

Philly,
Your email is really the nub of my problem.

I'm trying desperately not to buy an 044...I am not a c*ll*ct*r. I am not a c*ll*ct*r.

The 044 looks really nice but I was trying to see if there was a real justification behind its possible purchase.

regards
alan

 

[Scrit]

I think that Alf has it. The 044 was not only a direct replacement for the traditional plough at a time when wooden planes of all descriptions were disappearing fast, but was a much less combersome plane for a site joiner to carry round in a kit of tools than it's greater (and larger) siblings

They also look pretty good! Meep, meep!

Scrit

 

[Alf]

Now Scrit, let's not start on meep, meep stuff. I've had all my boat anchors out this weekend... :shock: Don't suppose you've ever seen an early 044 without the bridging piece on the fence?

Cheers, Alf

 

[Scrit]

Don't suppose you've ever seen an early 044 without the bridging piece on the fence?

Nope, but surely the surprise must be that I, a self-confessed machine-centric woodworker, owns such a thing.......

Scrit

 

[MikeW]

Don't suppose you've ever seen an early 044 without the bridging piece on the fence?

Nope, but surely the surprise must be that I, a self-confessed machine-centric woodworker, owns such a thing.......

Scrit

Ah, but do ya use it? If not, your a coll***** of oddities :lol:

If'n you do use it...

And regardless, very nice condition!

Take care, Mike

 

[Scrit]

Yes, Mike, I do use it - albeit not very often

Scrit

 

[MikeW]

Just yanking your chain a little, Scrit.

It's in nice condition. Most of the 044s I have seen in the last year or two have been in "well used" condition as regards the whole or at least a few sizes of the blades. Seems they probably were used a lot. So yours is pretty nice to my eyes.

Take care, Mike

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Wow, Scrit, that is practically like-new. I have one with a lot more "patina":

Though the blades are all in quite usable decent condition. No box or anything, but wouldn't know what to do with it anyway...

 

[Philly]

You're right Paul - Scrits is like new. :wink:

Philly

 

[Scrit]

My excuse is simple - if there's a lot to be done a router, pin router or the spindle are quicker - if it's a small groove then I'll resort to the 043. We;ll, that's my excuse.....

Scrit

 

[bugbear]

Now Scrit, let's not start on meep, meep stuff. I've had all my boat anchors out this weekend... :shock: Don't suppose you've ever seen an early 044 without the bridging piece on the fence?

Cheers, Alf

I've seen a Record one without a depth adjuster, or provision for it

BugBear

 

[whybob71]

I own a stanley 45, record 043 and 044. I use them for making grooves such as bottom drawers. All of them have an extra wide wooden fence which is actually square to skate(s). However I have to admit that I find quite difficult to make perfectly square and precise grooves: they are always sligthly out of square (the 044 is the worst in this sense).

On the left what it suppose to be, on the right what I often obtain

In addition, the bottom of the groove is often not square to the side of the board.

The 45 seems, in my hands, the better. It's just my lack of skill or it's something "normal" with these metal plow planes?

 

[JesseM]

I own a stanley 45, record 043 and 044. I use them for making grooves such as bottom drawers. All of them have an extra wide wooden fence which is actually square to skate(s). However I have to admit that I find quite difficult to make perfectly square and precise grooves: they are always sligthly out of square (the 044 is the worst in this sense).

On the left what it suppose to be, on the right what I often obtain

In addition, the bottom of the groove is often not square to the side of the board.

The 45 seems, in my hands, the better. It's just my lack of skill or it's something "normal" with these metal plow planes?

I recently used my 043 for planing a somewhat deep rabbet so I got kinda familiar with it. I always hold the fence and use a lot of sideways pressure. You want enough pressure so that the plane stays upright through the entire length. The other hand cups the plane with pressure in the heel. The 043 is very comfortable plane to use and its very easy to feel whats going wrong. It just sounds to me like you need to keep it upright. If you find you are forcing the plane to work then back off the blade a bit so thats its easier.

Hope that helps :wink:

I meant to add this. You mention the fence being long, but what about taller. Adding an inch or 2 to the height greatly affects the lateral stability of plane.

 

[whybob71]

Thanks a lot for the replay. Actually all my extra-fences are longer and taller. Maybe it could be something about the sharpening/setting of the blade: it is for me very difficult to make paper-thin shaving with plough planes. All the irons have 30° bevel with a secondary 32° bevel and are razor sharp.