: OK, how can a simple Stanley block plane just stop working? I mean, they
: aren't that complicated. But no matter how sharp the blade is or how many
: ways I adjust it, it just isn't cutting anything worth a crap. It's almost
: like the blade is lying too flat - not enough of an angle. But there isn't
: any way to adjust the angle that I can see.

: I'm trying to plane the outside edges of two pieces of plywood to the same
: size and at best I get very, very skinny (like a mm) shavings and at worst
: it just slides over the wood and cuts nothing. If I stick the blade out
: far enough to actually cut, then there is no gap for the shavings to go
: through and they just jam up under the blade. I've adjusted and adjusted
: and adjusted and nothing seems to make any difference.

: Any ideas? I'm stumped and frustrated.

: Thanks,

: Patsy

Along with the other suggestions you've received, you should check the angle
of your blade itself.

Many people continue to hone and re-hone the edge of there blade increasing the angle
to the point where, even though sharp, the blade won't cut well because the angle is too large.

If you sharpen your blade by hand without a blade carriage to set the angle you can easily create an
arc on the blade edge instead of a flat bevel. If you have created an arc on the blade bevel in front of the
edge AND your blade angle has gotten too high your blade edge could not even touch the wood.

Time to hone your blade. The blade should be ground to an angle of 20° to 25° to start, on a rough stone or
wheel and then the sharpening angle set to 25° to 30°.

There is a lot less guess work if you use a blade carriage to set and hold your blade instead of doing it freehand.

If you really want to learn how to sharpen and planes, along with the history and every aspect of planes, you can
pick-up the book "Planecraft" by John Sainsbury, Sterling press.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com