On the jack plane, I am concerned that the number, placement, length and width
of the checks/cracks imply that the checks/cracks could lengthen and break the
body a part. I am imagining that stabilizing these cracks could prevent them
from growing. I am not worried about appearance. I just don't want it to fall a
part while I'm using it.

Of most concern, the smoother has length wise cracks/splits on each side of the
body top where the wedge terminates in the throat against the iron. These cracks
in front of the wedge are directly affected by the wedge's pressure. The cracks
follow the grain. I am able to close these two splits with a pliers.

Is there agreement that CA glue is an effective and easy approach to preventing
the two wooden planes from falling a part? Initially I was going to use yellow
wood glue.

I will also take up the suggestion about soaking them in BLO.

Mark

On Apr 23, 2015, at 07:35 AM, Darrell & Kathy  wrote:

> On 22/04/2015 5:42 PM, Mark Jefferis wrote:
>> I have picked up a wooden body jack plane and a smoother. They have
> > small'ish checks/cracks in them that I'd like to stabilize. What is
> > the best method?
> >
> > I assume I should inject glue into the checks and then clamp to some
> > degree. Dry clamping does not completely close them up. 
> >
> > These are my first wooden planes and I'm really looking forward to
> > using them.
> >
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> I gotta be the Skeptic here.
> What behaviour does your plane exhibit that makes you think it needs fixing?
> If it's just cosmetic, then it doesn't really matter until you get them
working.
> Make the irons as sharp as you can and try them out. Then you can try
> to diagnose any issues you encounter. In my experience a working
> tool needs to be made to work before expending effort on cosmetic flaws.
> I got too much time invested in tools that look nice but do nothing.
> 
>
> Darrell
> just trying to keep you out of the hole I dug myself into...
>
> -- 
> Darrell LaRue
> Oakville ON
> Wood Hoarder, Blade Sharpener, and Occasional Tool User
>