Job and Knock
Established Member
That makes two of us. I treated both my Record No. 04-SS and Stanley No. 5 planes to new Ray Iles 2.5mm O1 irons (i.e. the thin ones) as a test. These irons are a direct replacement with no modding required. There was a noticeable improvement, even though both the planes were early post WWII with cast blades. The No.5 in particular benefited when I replaced the chipbreaker with a thicker QS one. Now convvinced that the Stanley No. 5-1/2 and No. 7 both need the same treatmentCheshirechappie":2epimlh0 said:Opinion is divided as to whether a slightly thicker iron and/or cap-iron improves the plane. All I can say on that score is that my Record 07 is a better plane with a Cliffie iron and stay-set cap iron in it than with the original iron and cap-iron. That's not an absolute proof of anything, just my experience.
Prawn_Cracker":2epimlh0 said:I'll get 2mm skimmed off and report back!
I've got to agree. when you skim any casting which has stabilised there's always the possibility that things will get worse because you've released stresses that were being kept in check by the surface layerCStanford":2epimlh0 said:Not worth the trouble, but good luck anyway.
On the question of upgrades, is anyone able to suggest a good replacement handle/knob set in a fancy hardwood? (well, if not "fancy" at least not beech or plastic)