This may seem naive, but I am not sure of how the Hock chip breaker is arranged on top of the Hock plane blade for a #5 Jack plane. If you look at the Hock chip breaker it is merely just as flat as the Hock plane blade. There is an angled edge that is either face up or face down on top of the plane blade. The Stanley chip breakers have an arc at the end and that edge is down upon the blade. Easier to see and understand the intended arrangement.
Is the angled edge supposed to form a larger angle when installed correctly and what advantages would this bring? Perhaps lessen the chatter?
Just getting into hand planes.
Senor Dorado
Replies
You will likely find that you have started a long debate about chipbreakers! At any rate: if your blade is bevel down in the plane, the chipbreaker is mounted on the back or upper surface of the blade, that is the side without the bevel. The bevel of the chipbreaker is opposite to the blade, so the two pieces are "back to back". The chipbreaker edge should be about 1/16th of an inch behind your sharpened edge, so that it scoops up the shaving as it comes from the cutting edge and bends it forward. Whether or not this helps the cutting action can be debated ad nauseam, but the breaker may also help to stiffen and dampen the cutting edge by slightly prestressing it.
Thanks Julian, I have a clearer picture now. I just built a shooting board, and I'm using a #5 Jack plane with this jig to shave end grain and square up hand-sawn crosscuts. Is there any advantages in using say a #3 or #4, besides being shorter? Or is this a personal preference issue?
I belive most people prefer/recommend a jack because of the length and more importantly, the mass.
Neil
The plane length is not really important for a shooting board since the plane registers off the runway wall, not the plane's sole.
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/Setting%20Up%20and%20Using%20a%20Shooting%20Board4.html
Regards from Perth
Derek
Derek I have to say that your explanation is very thorough and is just what the "doctor ordered". When I made my shooting board I did not run in the run way as you suggested. I merely trimmed the main fence and its sacrificial front attachment. I'm thinking that I can still do the run in, along with perhaps a bit more of the 2 fences. Thanks and have a Great holiday season! Senor Dorado
Edited 12/20/2008 10:38 am ET by SenorDorado
Hi Derek,
wouldn't the greater length give more stability to the plane when it was used on a shooting board?
Neil
Hi Neil
Length does equal stability, but extra length adds little. Too much length just gets in the way. A #4 sized plane is fine, a #5 1/2 sized plane is ideal, and a #7 size is too much.
Regards from Perth
Derek
SD, Stanley chip breakers are curved to eliminate expensive machining. The Hock breaker is flat, just like your Hock blade so there is no requirement for curvature. A flat breaker on a flat iron adds mass and dampens chatter better, IMHO, than a curved breaker. That's why Ron makes his that way.
Dick
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