I'm considering getting some 5x60x200mm HSS steel with a hardness of 60-62 HRC from AliExpress to craft a heavy dovetailed infill plane. The cost is under €20, shipping included. Is this a smart move?
3 Answers
Shaping that HSS after it’s been tempered is going to be a real challenge. Plus, keep in mind that HSS covers a wide range of steels, and you can’t really trust that the heat treat will be done well. Why not go for some unhardened quality steel and get that properly heat treated afterward? It's usually affordable and gives better results.
For all the effort you'll put into a dovetail plane, do some homework on what really makes a good plane iron. I wouldn't recommend HSS for this type of application. O1 or some vintage cast steel should be prioritized for better performance.
Honestly, I would steer clear of buying blade stock from AliExpress. You never know about the quality, and it could end up being more trouble than it’s worth.
I've invested quite a bit in some logo irons, and let me tell you, the performance of high-quality steel beats the average modern iron any day.