Record #778

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I recently acquired one of these rebate planes. I have been looking for one for a long while - the #778 is like hen's teeth in Oz. It is a good deal more solid than my Stanley #78, slightly longer and definitely heavier, and of course it has a much better fence.

What I want to know is if it comes with a depth gauge, as per the Stanley #78? Mine did not, although I can fit a Stanley to it as it has the screw hole and fence guide indent. All the pictures and adverts I have seen of a #778 show only the fence - never a depth stop.

If it does use one, has anyone here a spare Record depth stop for sale?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

What I want to know is if it comes with a depth gauge

It's meant to...

I see what you mean about the pictures - all the online stores uses the same stock shot.

This from ebay:
http://members.sparedollar.com/TOOLHOUND/MVC-629S.JPG

BugBear

 

[Chris Knight]

Derek,
As the photo shows, there is indeed a depth gauge. I got mine off Ebay for a song not to many moons ago, complete with depth gauge.

A few days ago, because I had been feeling guilty about owning a small boat anchor I never used (Alf and Slim - it's all your fault!) I used my Record 50 and then my 778 in a comparison test, cutting rebates (it was an early Sunday morning and I didn't want to incur neighbours wrath by turning on the router) and surprise surprise(!) the Record 50 made a nicer job of it. The tool felt more balanced and the thicker blade helped I think. I even went so far as to sharpen all the nickers and make some dados with the 50 but that is another story.

 

[Alf]

<Muttley-esque snigger> :lol:

 

[bugbear]

The tool felt more balanced and the thicker blade helped I think.

I know the newer Record #50c had thick blades, by my older #50 blades ain't exactly slabs.

I'm surprised at your 778 blades being thinner than #50 blades.

BugBear

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

BB

Thanks for the picture. I had not seen that one before.

The #778 blades are the same "thickness" (or should that read "thinness"?) as the Stanley #78. The #78 cuts well enough, but I did also wonder what the #778 would be like with a thicker blade? In fact, early today I was mulling over the possibility of making one myself. Does anyone make them?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[mudman]

BB

The #778 blades are the same "thickness" (or should that read "thinness"?) as the Stanley #78. The #78 cuts well enough, but I did also wonder what the #778 would be like with a thicker blade? In fact, early today I was mulling over the possibility of making one myself. Does anyone make them?

Derek

Just a thought, would it be possible to make a thicker blade by epoxying/welding a piece of steel onto the existing blade thus making a thicker laminated blade?

Stupid idea perhaps?

 

[Chris Knight]

BB,
I just measured my 050's blades at .12 inches thick vs .08 inches for the 778 - so 50% thicker. Of course the 778 has a cap iron - the 050 doesn't.

Mudman, yes you could do that if you were so inclined, there is enough space in the mouth opening for a thicker blade so no mods to the plane would be needed.

 

[bugbear]

So your #50 blades are a full 1/8" - is it a new(ish) one or an oldy?

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

wonder what the #778 would be like with a thicker blade? .... Does anyone make them?

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/blades.html

Search down, and be surprised.

BugBear

 

[Chris Knight]

BB,
Bought new in ca 1965 for the princely sum of £6.7s.6d in Lowestoft. So yes, I guess you could say it's an oldie

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Search down, and be surprised.

Thanks BB.

I immediately bought one! Talk about being impulsive!!

I'll let you know whether it is worth the expense and effort.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

My intuition (and failed memory) stand corrected; herewith some information gathered with the aid of severe case of the slope, and a Moore & Wright micrometer.

Woden W-78       0.085
UK Stanley #50   0.112
#043          0.122
#050          0.114
#405          0.115
SS #04       0.077

BugBear (who would have used an HTML table, but couldn't)

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The LN #778 blade arrived and I have given it a quick spin.

It is well made, 1/8" thick and sharpens up very well ( it is sooo easy to cut a finger on these planes since the edge of the bevel projects from one side - DAMHIK!). A few practice shavings unfortunately do not say much, but it did do a very good job. Better than the Record blade?

The LN was an impulse purchase and made before I had even sharpened up the Record blade. I used the Record blade in the #778 for a project last weekend, and I must say that the LN is going to have to be damn good to improve on this!

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

it is sooo easy to cut a finger on these planes since the edge of the bevel projects from one side - DAMHIK!

I could have told you that - DAMHIKT.

BugBear

 

[Alf]

it is sooo easy to cut a finger on these planes since the edge of the bevel projects from one side - DAMHIK!

I could have told you that - DAMHIKT.

BugBear

I could have told you he could have told you that. TIHIKT* :wink:

Cheers, Alf

*This Is How I Know That