G++,

I finally got around to sharpening the cutter on a Millers Falls #1
spokes have.  The cutter is sharp and properly angled, but I can't make
the tool work.  It will make shavings, but only big, chunky shavings.  
The #1 has a little flat milled into the cylinder and I'm thinking
perhaps this is not made correctly.  

A little background…  I have a Kelly copy of the #1.  It works well and
it does not have the little flat the MF has.  The old MF and the new
Kelly blades are nearly identical and are completely interchangeable. 
Both the old and new blades work fine on the Kelly body, so I gotta
believe the angle and edge are ok on both blades.  (The Kelly blade
shows the same problem in the MF body.)

I guess my real question is.  How is the little flat in the MF body
supposed to be made and what is it for?  On my MF this little flat meets
the circumference of the body at both edges of the body… at the leading
edge of the flat and at the trailing edge.    If I set the blade so it
sits on the trailing edge of this flat, there is no clearance under for
the chip.  If I set the blade just behind this flat area, it seems the
angle of attack is exaggerated because of the flat and the chips are too
chunky.  Anyone know what is going on here?

Thanks for any help,

-- 
Bill W.
Woodworkers visit me at:
http://Highland_House.tripod.com