Chip:

Once again, I like the way you think/work. I also have a shoulder plane that I used on my boat. I also used about 9 other planes on the boat, with some of them even being close to necessary!

I like your gimic, and have another for use when you are not near closing the gap, but still need a changing bevel.

I take a 608 bedrock, you know, the 24" one, and clamp it upside down on the edge of the workbench. I put a glove on my left hand. I hold the strip down against the plane blade with my protected left hand, and pull the strip across the plane with my right. I can change the bevel angle with my left hand as I guide it through. I also use the plane's lateral adjustment lever to help get the angle I want. It is not as accurate as your method, since you don't have the view of the bevel you are shooting for, but it does have it's applications.

Scott