Advice on Finding a Replacement Iron for My Union No. 7 Plane
Asked by CraftyPineapple24
Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Union No. 7 plane that's in decent shape, but it's missing the iron. I've noticed that unionmfgco.com sells a replacement iron for about $70. Are these replacement irons universal fits? Also, do you think the quality justifies the price and effort I'll put into restoring the body? I really want to make this plane usable since I don't have a larger one yet. The body has a noticeable chunk missing from the back portion of the side wall, but it doesn't affect the sole—do you think I should still be able to use it?
Answers
A big part of this is whether you have a chip breaker, as Union planes often have a unique slot position that might not work with standard replacements (typically around 3-5/8" from the edge). If you’ve got the original chip breaker, you can use a replacement blade of the correct width. But if you’re eyeing that blade on the site, it might be too narrow for the No. 7 and lacks a chip breaker altogether.
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To start off, the cheeks of the plane are crucial for reinforcing the sole; they actually do affect how well the sole performs. That $70 you’d spend on a No. 7 Hock iron plus chip breaker seems about right. My old Union irons are still great, but you should really check if you have a chip breaker because that part interfaces with the depth adjuster, making it vital for compatibility. Good luck with your restoration!
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CraftyPineapple24: I just realized I don’t have a chip breaker at all! So that makes it tricky to find affordable parts. I might just clean it up and use it as decoration for now until I find the right parts. Maybe there's a market for these pieces, and I can sell something to fund a better plane?