Hey everyone! I've been trying to get my Stanley hand plane working properly, but I'm facing some challenges. I've watched a ton of setup videos and feel like I've got everything right, except maybe the lever cap. When I tighten the lever cap screw fully, I can't flip it down — is that normal?
I've sharpened the blade, but when I run it over wood, it either barely scrapes the surface or digs in and gets stuck, with no actual cutting happening. If anyone has advice or tips that could help me get this working better, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
4 Answers
Have you considered posting some photos or a short video of your plane? If we could see how it's set up, we might spot what’s going wrong. You could also start by retracting the blade fully and then slowly extending it out until it starts taking nice shavings!
I’m guessing the blade might still be too dull. Sometimes it’ll just scrape if it isn’t sharp enough. If you pull the blade out and try using it like a chisel, you can check its sharpness. If it cuts fine, you’re golden! If not, then you know that’s the issue. Also, make sure the bevel angle on the blade has some relief behind it. You need it to be less than 35 degrees; otherwise, it won’t bite as you intend!
You should check out Rex Kruger for some solid setup tips! Trust me, the lever cap screw shouldn’t be tightened all the way, so you’re on the right track. A loose fit allows for adjustments while you work, which is essential!
It sounds like you’re wrestling with the lever cap screw a bit! You actually don’t want it completely tightened. If it’s too tight, you won’t be able to flip the lever down, and if it’s too loose, the lever cap and iron can move around — that’s not ideal either. You want a sweet spot where it stays put during use but you can still flip it without a fuss. Just adjust it to what feels comfortable while you work! Personally, I prefer the lever cap to be as loose as possible without it shifting around. A lot of people might disagree though, so find what works for you!