Replies

1. 
   Ronaway | Apr 24, 2006 06:38pm | #1

   Malcolm,

   When looking at the pictures on the Holtey auction the bottom right picture shows some brass or possibly bronze disc set into the infill on either side of the adjuster. What do you suppose are the function of these disc?

   Ron

1. 
   Malcolm | Apr 25, 2006 12:12am | #2

   > brass or possibly bronze disc  <

   Noticed those! Not sure. I'll ask Karl.

   Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz

2. 
   derekcohen | Apr 25, 2006 04:31am | #3

   The bronze discs look to be wear plates. I've not seen this before on an infill. If so, there must be others further down. Also, the further one looks like it is slightly proud of the bed, suggesting the iron is supported only on these points. Would this be secure enough bedding given the thickness of the iron? All my supposition, note.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   Ronaway | Apr 26, 2006 05:54am | #4

   Malcolm and Derek,As long as the back of the iron is in contact with the ramp in the sole the disc could in theory be a way to adjust the throat by tilting the blade very slightly forward to open the throat and backward to close the throat. This however would have the iron suspended slightly above the bed of the infill which would go against conventional thinking as to the damping qualities of the infill. Unless of course there are more disc at the point in which the lever cap applies pressure on the iron and chip breaker, then the stresses should be transferred to the wood infill. This of course is just speculation. As you can tell this has been "preying on my mind."Ron

1. 
   Malcolm2 | Apr 26, 2006 06:04am | #5

   When/if I get a reply from Karl Holtey. I'll pass it on!

   Malcolm

2. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 28, 2006 06:45pm | #9

   As long as the back of the iron is in contact with the ramp in the sole the disc could in theory be a way to adjust the throat by tilting the blade very slightly forward to open the throat and backward to close the throat. This however would have the iron suspended slightly above the bed of the infill which would go against conventional thinking as to the damping qualities of the infill. Unless of course there are more disc at the point in which the lever cap applies pressure on the iron and chip breaker, then the stresses should be transferred to the wood infill. This of course is just speculationLOL 'speculation' WAS SO Funny!

2. 
   Ronaway | Apr 27, 2006 01:10am | #6

   Anyone care to make a guess as to what the final bid will be? When do you think the most bidding activity will occur?

   Ron

1. 
   Malcolm | Apr 28, 2006 09:45am | #7

   Here's Karl's response (in part) to my question:

   " You are the first person to ask this.  All my planes have a similar feature as this. Blade beds - there is no such thing as flat, especially where wood is concerned.  By using the studs I am able to be sure that there is 100 percent contact at the front end of the blade and by supporting the blade at the rear end with nothing between the two support points, then I know that the blade is supported where it counts.  This works well on any blades of reasonable thickness.  As most of us know, when wood shrinks it shrinks across the grain which then could change the angle of any wooden bed, with the blade resting on the studs and not the woodwork the resting points on the blade are where I want. The principal of raising the rear end i.e. by resting on the stud, would be better with one stud in the centre where possible - as on my No 98 and infill mitre planes.  This gives the three legged stool principal. With the studs that I use they are not merely stuck in the wood but there is some contact with the metal structure in the plane body. In the past I have increased the angle of the wooden bed to pre-empt the effects of shrinkage, but I have found it is not an exact science and find the studs work better."

   Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz

1. 
   Ronaway | May 01, 2006 06:22am | #10

   Malcolm,So Karls answer would lead one to believe that the plane still gets the damping effect from the wood infill by it's contribution to mass and not because of contact with the infill. He is in effect suspending the iron and chipbreaker above the infill and then stressing it with the pressure of the lever cap. Of course the wide part of the lever cap contacting lower down on the chipbreaker iron assembly would keep things flat before the point of contact on the lever cap screw would bow the assembly. I'm still noodling on how he gets contact from the studs to another point on the metal part of the plane. Now I guess that will be preying on my mind.Ron

   Edited 4/30/2006 11:23 pm ET by Ronaway

1. 
   Malcolm2 | May 02, 2006 01:50am | #11

   > how he gets contact from the studs to another point on the metal part of the plane <

    I assumed they go right throughy to the sole.

   Malcolm

2. 
   Malcolm | Apr 28, 2006 09:52am | #8

   $US 5,600. But I cheated - the auction has finished!

   Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz