Ongoing discussion about adjusters. . . .



Ralph Brendler wrote:

> Kevin Schott asks:
>
> >  Suppose you're going to try to make your own infill by
> >  purchasing a casting.  Is it worth it to deal with making or
> >  buying the adjuster?  (I know "worth" is pretty subjective...)
>
> IMO, these fancy-schmancy adjusters are fluff.  The forward/back movement is
> OK (but not necessary), and folks have complained that the lateral
> adjustment does not work as well as the Bailey lateral does.
>

snippety.


I started down the path of accuracy and quality by chasing up the path of
perfect adjustment.  Dear old Kingshott with his tales of improving the
Norris by using a 40tpi micrometer thread form for zero backlash and
a sub single thou adjustment.
I've pursued the path of Bailey rightousness by tinkering out backlash
from the bailey mechanism.

But when I need to actually *do* something to justify the budget, why then
I reach for the sharpest, flattest, fine mouthest plane, and (Bailey) upturn it,

look down the sole, laterally adjust if needed, wind in the blade until it's
almost invisible, and as I turn the plane over I instinctively take up the
backlash with
the blade adjuster.

The pernickety Norris mechanism, though..  Good - precise, yes. preference
is for a blade which is already accurately square (slight, oh so slight camber
even on a smoother for me) and then set the blade, whilst trying to balance
the dynamics of the tension in the body (bending) from tightening the threaded
cap to keep the thing in place.
The trade off is of course that with a hard blade, once set, and kept for a
couple
of final passes only, it can stay that way all day.

Speirs and the simple is efficient movement - what can I say that hasn't been
said.  Place the plane on the bench, tighten the wedge, and have at it.  a small

hammer adjusts thereafter (I use a prototype gavel made in old pitch pine)


So my conclusion is not to bother with the adjuster - unless you want to be
involved in the engineering.


Just one Yorkshireman's opinion..

Richard Wilson
Shellac supplier to the UK - watch this space...