I'm in the process of trying to flatten the sole of a hand plane (#4). I originally tried Paul Sellers method of flattening the sole with sandpaper, but that only seemed to make things worse. I can only assume the sole was slightly convex to begin with and while sanding it the plane rocked back and fourth. I'm now left with a convex sole from front to back that's also slightly concave across the width of it. Anyway, I've moved on to trying to scrape it after having spent how many hours sanding. I've now spent how many hours trying to (learn to) scrape and fix the sole of this plane but with little success. I'm feeling defeated and am looking to you guys for help.
And before you start saying I need to search threads, I have. I've found many and read lots, but I still can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Not to mention a lot of the images are dead so I'm left guessing what's going on.
The first way I tried to scrape was with a carbide scraper that's meant for paint. The blade angle is all wrong (the blade itself is at about 60 degrees on the handle) but the good thing is the blade is carbide. I was able to scrape a bit by playing with the actual cutting angle but it was very difficult to control.
The second way I tried was by taking an old US made Nicholson file and shaping the tip. This worked okay but I was only able to make a couple strokes before the edge was no longer keen.
Lastly, I figured I should buy the proper tool. I asked just about every store locally and no one knew what I was talking about. That's when I went to ebay. I was able to find some nice carbide scrapers but of course they wouldn't ship to Canada. Eventually I found a Rennsteig tool steel scraper. I figured it's German steel and it's designed for this so it should work. Needless to say I spent hours just trying to get the tip properly profiled and sharp because it was so poorly machined. When I finally did get it sharp it was no better than the hand file. I got a few scrapes and then the edge was toast. You could tell visually that the edge was gone.
Whatever method I tried I only ever got some gray fuzz. It was never a shiny curly piece of metal. I assume that depends on the type of material so I'm not sure whether or not this is correct for cast iron.
Anyway...can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? On the Rennsteig scraper I've made the one flat smooth and flat. The actual cutting edge is slightly convex with a 94 degree or so cutting angle. I find I often hold the scraper at about a 30 degree angle or so. I've tried lower but it doesn't seem to bite the metal and scrape. Either way, the cutting edge is gone in a few strokes.
I don't really have the tools to make my own carbide scraper or I would. I've wasted too many hours on this to give up now but I feel I'm getting pretty close.
And before you start saying I need to search threads, I have. I've found many and read lots, but I still can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Not to mention a lot of the images are dead so I'm left guessing what's going on.
The first way I tried to scrape was with a carbide scraper that's meant for paint. The blade angle is all wrong (the blade itself is at about 60 degrees on the handle) but the good thing is the blade is carbide. I was able to scrape a bit by playing with the actual cutting angle but it was very difficult to control.
The second way I tried was by taking an old US made Nicholson file and shaping the tip. This worked okay but I was only able to make a couple strokes before the edge was no longer keen.
Lastly, I figured I should buy the proper tool. I asked just about every store locally and no one knew what I was talking about. That's when I went to ebay. I was able to find some nice carbide scrapers but of course they wouldn't ship to Canada. Eventually I found a Rennsteig tool steel scraper. I figured it's German steel and it's designed for this so it should work. Needless to say I spent hours just trying to get the tip properly profiled and sharp because it was so poorly machined. When I finally did get it sharp it was no better than the hand file. I got a few scrapes and then the edge was toast. You could tell visually that the edge was gone.
Whatever method I tried I only ever got some gray fuzz. It was never a shiny curly piece of metal. I assume that depends on the type of material so I'm not sure whether or not this is correct for cast iron.
Anyway...can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? On the Rennsteig scraper I've made the one flat smooth and flat. The actual cutting edge is slightly convex with a 94 degree or so cutting angle. I find I often hold the scraper at about a 30 degree angle or so. I've tried lower but it doesn't seem to bite the metal and scrape. Either way, the cutting edge is gone in a few strokes.
I don't really have the tools to make my own carbide scraper or I would. I've wasted too many hours on this to give up now but I feel I'm getting pretty close.