: 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

The plane may be cutting very small cuts but if you have any deflection of the plywood, it will not cut. Try your technque with a piece of some soft solid wood like pine or cedar. You may also need to remove the blade and lap the sole of the plane flat.I use a piece of 400 wet or dry sandpaper on piece of glass or something flat. Any plane can be tuned to work. I also use the plane at a ten to thirty degree angle to the work. It will come grasshoper, the block plane will be your favorite tool ,Don