Record compass plane blade

[gasman]

I have had one of these for a couple of years and not really used it in anger until now. However, I am in the middle of making my upholstered rocking chair (pics will follow at some stage) and finally discovered a use for it - making some curved slats for the back. It worked very well on some walnut and I was happy with the results.... but, having recently got some other planes with thicker blades, I wondered if anyone had converted a compass plane to take a thicker blade? It seems as if it might weaken the plane too much by opening up the aperture anymore than it is?? Anyone any experience?
Thanks
Mark

 

[lurker]

If you insist on such a barely disguised gloat :mrgreen: let's at least see the photos

 

[JoinerySolutions]

I haven't.

There is very little metal left between the mouth edges and the rivets that hold the dovetailed keyway that affixes the frog. Setting it up to use for the first time can cause some chattering but a little practice makes it easy.

Rob.

 

[Chris Knight]

I haven't and I wouldn't. These planes frequently suffer from cracked soles and any enlarging of the mouth seems likely to promote this already incipient problem.

 

[OPJ]

What about fitting a thicker cap iron/chip breaker - has anybody tried that on a compass plane?

 

[lurker]

Joinery,

Love your by-line :lol:
Very clever

 

[Paul Chapman]

Given the design of these planes, I don't think there is much scope for fitting significantly thicker blades. What we really need is for Lie Nielsen or Veritas to introduce one with a thick blade as standard - but I think we might have a long wait and it would probably be very expensive

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[woodbloke]

Veritas to introduce one
Cheers :wink:

Paul

:-# - Rob

 

[Ironballs]

I was getting terrible chatter on mine and the chipbreaker was letting shavings get underneath it. Partly down to bad machining and partly due to the screw not screwing down far enough. Went for a beefy 2 piece Clifton cap iron and now all is good.

I would agree that you would not want to touch the mouth opening though

 

[Vann]

Went for a beefy 2 piece Clifton cap iron and now all is good.

Hi IB.
I have a Stanley #113 and the cap-iron on this is longer than a standard No.3 cap-iron (I read this in Blood & Gore and then checked mine out), so I'm surprised you've had success. :?: Isn't the leading edge of the Clifton 10 - 12mm short of the cutting edge of your iron?

Maybe the #20/020 is different. What model is yours?

Cheers, Vann.