Bill and other assembled Galoots:
	I too have been fighting the good fight in the realm of MF/Kelly #1
shaves, and actually posted a question or two about same a while back. 
	Basically, my situation is that possessing one each, the MF in
apparently fine condition, the Kelly new (when purchased), I've not been
able to make either work -- at least in a sense analogous to a standard
shave: making controlled, plane-like shavings from concave edges. It
just don't work and I'm kinda frustrated. For now, I'll try to address
some of the issuse 

Bill Webber wrote:
> 
> 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.

My MF also has a "flat" filed into the body. From your description, I
suspect the flat on my MF is considerably larger -- 1/8 to 3/16 wide
(tool at home, I'm writing from work). I too was curious about the
correctness/originality of this, and actually managed to speak with Tim
Kelly. My recollection of the conversation is that Tim felt this was NOT
a feature of the tool as it left MF. Owners frequently filed them.
(Hence no flat on the Kelly #1.)



> 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?

On neither of my shaves is there a way/place/configuration that produces
a closed mouth (no chip clearance). If there's anyone on the porch who
actually gets one of these cigar shaves to make those wispy, fluffy
shavings that I can make even with a pedestrian Stanley 151 (granted
mine is older), please, please share your wisdom with two (at least)
galoots hankerin' to smooth those inside curves.
	  
Ted Stevenson
Bethel Connecticut
e.stevenson@s...