Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Oct 30, 2007 07:45pm | #1

   The setting of the frog controls the width of the mouth in front of the blade. Set the frog towards the front (narrow mouth) for fine work, towards the back (wide mouth) for rough work. If the shavings are getting caught in the mouth, then it's too narrow for the thickness of the shaving; either widen the mouth or set the blade for a thinner shaving. If you're getting too much tear out, set the mouth narrower (and probably also set the blade for a thinner shaving).

   -Steve

    

2. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 31, 2007 02:22am | #2

   Jamie

   On a non-bedrock #7, you will need to remove the frog from the plane in order to access the screws which hold the frog in place.  Loosen them, and turn the adjuster screw on the frog (at the rear bottom of the frog back by the tote) to advance or retreat the frog.  Don't forget to re-tighten those screws which hold the frog firmly against the bed.  Chatter, chatter, chatter.......

   One of the benefits of a bedrock style plane is that the frog can be adjusted without removing the blade and frog every time.

   Jeff

1. 
   Glaucon | Oct 31, 2007 03:11am | #3

   That's true, but I find that I don't change the frog position very often on my #7 or my #5. On my 4 1/2 finisher, I do tend to adjust more often.Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 31, 2007 04:22pm | #7

   Glaucon

   Agreed.  I set em' and forget em'.  I don't hog wood with my finishers, so their set for a wisp.  5's and 6's are open, and 7 or 8 a little tighter.  Setting all the planes with tight mouths defeats the purpose of having different planes for different functions.  No need for a fleet of smoothers in different lengths! <g>

   Jeff

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 31, 2007 08:50am | #5

   "On a non-bedrock #7, you will need to remove the frog from the plane in order to access the screws which hold the frog in place.  Loosen them, and turn the adjuster screw...."  Jeff, this isn't a Bedrock, but it doesn't have an "adjuster screw" -- just the screws that hold the frog in place, and elongated holes in the frog so it can be slid fore/aft.  I have pics, but too sleepy to download and post right now.

   One of my smaller planes is a Bedrock, so I know basically how they work -- sweeeeet.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   lwilliams | Oct 31, 2007 05:07am | #4

   Forestgirl,

   There is a trap here. On Stanley planes with the raised receiver for the frog, you need to avoid setting the frog too far back. This is especially true of those with the frog adjustment screw that's under the depth adjustment knob.

   Back when I paid more attention to metal planes and looked at a lot of them, I used to see occasional planes with cracks in the bed running to the heel from the back corners of the mouth. This is caused by setting the frog too far back and having the lever cap screw set where it was when the plane was disassembled. After the plane is put back together the lever cap will be difficult to lock because the raised receiver is standing proud of the bed raising the iron. If the lever cap is forced down all the pressure is put on the receiver rather than the bed of the frog. This will crack the bed in the locations I mentioned.

   If you have the raised receiver, I think type 9 and later planes, and find the lever cap difficult to lock after you've had the plane apart, don't force the lever cap lock. Check to make sure the receiver isn't standing proud of the bed.

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 31, 2007 08:51am | #6

   Thanks for the caution and explanation, I'll be careful!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Oct 31, 2007 04:55pm | #8

   Larry,

   I know this might be a bit tricky to explain, but just how tight should the Lever Cap be tightened. 

   Mine is tightened snug, not a bear grip, just enough so it takes a good push on the lever.  See I told you, but with your experience you may have a better way of describing it?

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 31, 2007 08:43pm | #9

   Adjusting frog on Stanley #7..

   I'd ask what she liked.. And then trr to get a Prince that liked the hair color!