Unusual Woody Plane

[AdrianUK]

Wonder if anyone can suggest the purpose of this 7” smoother’s alteration. Pretty sure it’s not how it was originally made, an assuming it’s owner made this.

First glance, with the screw and brass plate behind it, it appears that the toe piece would have some movement, however, if it does it will need some persuasive assistance, which I’m not keen to do. It also appears it may be at the toe.

The sole also has an insert at the toe, but this isn’t that unusual to see as running repairs.

No maker is indicated, the cutter is Moseley though.

If the piece is not supposed to move, the the only benefit I can see is that the protruding top piece provides further stability. But then, why provide it with what looks like an adjustment ?

 

[Argus]

At a first glance, it may be some form of modified compass plane.

R A Salaman shows something very similar under that description, ( I think that it's page 315 in my edition) that has a convex sole and a height adjustment like yours on the nose to regulate the attack....... not, however with a flat sole. Is that sole insert in front of the blade fixed or does that move with the front depth setter?

Cannot think of any other reason for that sort of appendage on the front.

 

[AdrianUK]

Hi Argus,
Good question ref’ the sole insert, it’s currently loose and falls out, easy to rectify, as the glue has failed, so appears it was permanently fixed.
It’s definitely a flat sole also.
My first thought was, oh it’s for a specific task, but equally maybe its owner tried to improve it. Just strange to do so in such a way. Maybe the added piece came from another tool and the owner just used what he had, hence including the screw, but I think that’s less likely.

 

[Argus]

I realised that you ( and others) may not have Salaman's Dictionary of tools.............
I found this illustration on Hackney Tool's site ( I hope that he doesn't mind the inclusion) that shows what it may have been intended to look like with a curved sole. Either it has lost its curve or is a standard plane made up to look like a Hield's compass plane.

http://hackneytools.com/2012/07/hields-wooden-compass-plane/
According to Salaman, it is a bit of a pig to use.
I have a Record metal Compass plane and that is a real tart in its own right.
I gave up on it and used rasps.... but that's another story.

 

[AdrianUK]

Hi Argus,

Thanks for the direction pointer, interesting, I think it’s quite possible it started out as a compass plane, when the plane is on its side and the sole is viewed from above, it does appear to have a taper, so maybe the sole was flattened.

I wonder if an owner said, &£#@+% this, I’ll turn it into something easier to use!

 

[EddyCurrent]

If the curve on the sole was sanded flat it would most likely leave a wide throat in front of the blade, hence the insert to narrow the throat again

 

[AdrianUK]

Thanks Eddy, interesting to understand how and why such tools were kept in service, not such a throw away culture back then.