Hmm, I'm wondering if part of the problem is just that I'm trying to plane along concave cuts. If that's the case, of course the blade isn't going to touch the wood unless it's sticking way the heck out there. But it seemed like I would get some action on convex areas until the surface got flat and then it just stopped doing anything. I kept looking at the bottom of the plane to see if it was flat! But maybe by planing in the same spot I was making it concave too and it stopped reaching the surface of the wood. That doesn't seem like it could be all of the problem though. It really seems like an adjustment issue. I'll certainly try your paper trick, but I'm skeptical. :-)

: Boy! Does that bring back old memories! 'Bout tossed my first plane for that
: same reason.

: If that doesn't appear to do the trick Patsy, then my next favorite problem
: was depth adjustment. I could never "feel" to get it at the
: correct depth or straight. The way I do it now is take a piece of paper
: and cut two small pieces. Put one under the front of the plane and one
: under the back. Then loosen the blade and let it slide down and sit flat
: against the surface( wood or formica... not metal ) Tighten it there! Give
: it a try. If not enough, double the paper under the ends. It should come
: around.

: With a little time, you may be able to sight it to the proper depth, but
: we're only talking thousandths here. Hope you get this corrected. No time
: for frustration now, you're just getting rolling...

: Rehd