Hand Plane Folks, How'd I do?

I know some folks hate hate hate the handy man planes, but I’ve read some fairly favorable things about them. I guess, I’m curious to know why folks tend to have issues with them…

-- “If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses.” ― Lenny Bruce

Sharpen it up and see how it does. Doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks if it does what you need it to do. I think most of the issues are due to the cost-saving methods used in the handyman line. Doesn’t mean they can’t be tuned well, just means they weren’t at the factory.

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

Doesn t mean they can t be tuned well, just means they weren t at the factory.

- HokieKen

That’s sorta what I figured.

Checked the flatness next to one of my Veritas planes and just eye balling it, it looked pretty good. I haven’t even tried to make a cut with and likely won’t until I have a chance to break it down and clean it.

-- “If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses.” ― Lenny Bruce

I’m one of those that hate, hate, hate Handyman planes. Some of them can be made to be decent users, but some just are not worth the time.

The point being, I’ve never had a Bailey or equivalent plane that couldn’t be made to work as well as a new LN. I’ve had handyman planes I’ve given up on to be even mediocre.

I’m not suggesting you don’t try. Just don’tget discouraged if it doesn’t work. Its probably not you.

-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.

I’m one that has made them work in the past…...they can do the job, but the need to be SHARP, and the chipbreaker set as close to the edge as you can…1-2mm. My main “issue” with them is they have a hard time keeping any setting for more than 5 -7 trips across a board.

On the other hand…...IF you sharpen the iron with a 6-8” radius “Camber” these will make a decent “scrub ” plane. I’d wait on that until you get another #4. Plenty of them out there..doesn’t NEED to be a $$$ brand X New plane. Just whatever YOUR budget would allow. Then keep the #1204 around as a scrub plane.

BTW: back in the early 1980s….I started out with a Great Neck No. 4….....

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

I second the scrub suggestion.

-- Google first, search forums second, ask questions later.

Its probably not you.

- Don W

I tell myself that all the time anyway. ;-)

On the other hand…...IF you sharpen the iron with a 6-8” radius “Camber” these will make a decent “scrub ” plane. I d wait on that until you get another #4.

- bandit571

I’ve got a couple good #4’s already, so I may just do this if I can’t get the settings to hold properly. I’ve just never done any restoration, and I figured this would be a fairly decent plane to start with, since it’s in decent shape and has all it’s parts. I really like the idea of making is a scrub plane though.

-- “If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses.” ― Lenny Bruce

Same opinion here the handyman series seems to stay loose. I have had a couple and only one has worked well.