Welcome Barry !

Great bio.  At the end you offer :

>Email me if you have any questions about working
>metal with your #4 smoother. I will try and help.

I tried my No 8 a few months ago.  I had bought this
brass-bound rosewood and beech wallpaperer's rule, 6ft
long, and the brass edging was a bit wavy.

Well, brass is a lot softer than steel, I tell myself,
so pull out the No 8 and start a stroke along the edge.
Szzzzzzzz SHKLUNK !  The jointer stops dead.  I look at
the blade : a huge chip out of the edge !

Looks like not all part of brass are soft.  I finished
up with a file.

Paul Pedersen
Montreal (Quebec)