I've been wanting to build a shooting board for my Stanley No. 5 plane, which I love and use all the time. However, I've noticed that the sides are off by a couple of degrees and not square to the base. Can anyone suggest how to either make the sides square or adjust for this issue when building my shooting board?
5 Answers
You can use the lateral adjuster to get a square cut. The sole of the plane doesn’t need to be square; just make sure the edge of the blade is aligned right. It should help you out!
True, but that makes sense. Hopefully, your blade isn't sticking too far out. If it's not too bad, definitely give this a shot!
Many folks suggest the lateral adjuster as a straightforward solution. Also, No. 5 planes are pretty common, so you might find a decent one at a flea market. Just bring a small try square to check for squareness when you shop.
Good tip! Always handy to have a try square with you.
From my experience, attaching a strip to the base of the plane can be a better long-term solution. Sure, the lateral adjuster works, but constantly fiddling with it can be annoying, especially if you use the plane for different purposes. I used some iron-on edge banding, but next time I might try UHMW tape instead. Sometimes you just have to find what works best for you!
I get it; adjusting can be a hassle. I've also used painter's tape for a quick fix, and it worked out pretty well.
Yep, I did the shim method under the plane on my shooting board. Simple and effective!
Some might call it inefficient, but I just worked on making one side square instead. It might take a bit more time, but it’s worth it if you get the precision you need!
You could also just mark a piece and do a test cut with the plane to see exactly how square it is. Adjust accordingly based on your cuts. It's a bit hands-on, but it can dial things in for you!
Exactly! Adjusting the lateral is really the way to go. Just be mindful if you use the plane for other tasks, as you might have to tweak it back for different jobs.