Wood Stock Plane Setting Jig

Andy asked how the setting jig worked.....Dangerous thing to do unless you want to roll your eyes to the back of your head and/or get some sleep.

Calling it a jig is a stretch but because it has a hanging hole I'm going to. The jig is a long piece of float glass glued to a board with a hanging hole for storage. Here is the jig's home when not in use:

Most of the time I only use it after removing the iron for sharpening. Even then it is not used all the time but it makes the first set very quick and easy. Place the stock on the jig making sure both the stock and the glass plate are clean.

Set the cutter on the bed with light finger pressure holding it against the bed and glass while replacing the wedge. Once the wedge is in place give the wedge a tap to set and start planing.

Most of the time the plane will cut slightly thicker than the finest smoothing cut, about where you want it for most uses.

After several passes with the Joiner:

It works with any Western style wood stock plane I've tried. Here are some more photos with different style planes. All with no other adjustment other than first setting of the cutter on the float glass.

Andy, for a thicker shaving tap the iron, for a thiner shaving tap the top of the stock in front of the cutter (on the strike button if it has one), to remove the cutter and wedge tap the back of the stock. I hope this helps and wasn't too painful. Remember click 'em to big 'em.

The long plane and the coffin smoother were made by Steve Voigt, a young guy, and as far as I can tell the only maker of double iron planes in America. They are works of art and with both a reasonable price and wait time. At least that was the case when I ordered mine. BTW I also have one of Steve's Jack planes and if he decides to make any other type of plane I will be waiting with AmEx in hand, his planes are that good.

ken