No.4 Adjustable Precision Smoothing Bench Hand Plane with 2-Inch Blade and Wooden Handles for Woodworking, Brown

I purchased this plane for a specific, two-part project. The first part was to see what quality of plane one could get for the low price. The second part was to determine the effort required to make the plane perform as well as my Stanley No. 4 plane. First part of the project: The appearance of the Amazon Basics plane I received is very good. There was a small gob of black lacquer (paint) on the front and rear handles, which I easily carved off. I took the plane apart, and determined that the quality of the individual components is surprisingly good. The chip breaker and the cap iron are plated, probably with nickel. I do question the reason for plating the chip breaker. Second part of the project: After reassembling the plane, I took it through Paul Sellers' restoration routine. I checked the sole for flatness, and found it nearly perfect. Just a few strokes across some 220 grit sandpaper, brought the sole into perfect flatness. I tested the plane on a piece of pine and found it sharp enough to create a good shaving. I then tested it on oak, and found that it needed honing. Checking the iron (aka the blade), I found it to be as flat as the sole. A few strokes on the sandpaper flattened it. The edge of the chip breaker needed flattening because it was high in the middle. This took only a few strokes on 100-grit sandpaper. Once the chip breaker was flat, I checked the frog, and brought it into flatness with only a few strokes across the 100-grit sandpaper. Then I spent a few minutes honing the iron on 1000, 3000, and 8000 grit stones, and gave it a razor edge than produced good, continuous shavings on the oak. Although the plane was functional on soft woods out of the box, I wanted it to be like my other planes, and took the time to flatten the aforementioned components. The edges of the plane were very sharp, so I filed and rounded the edges of the sole (to prevent gouging) and upper body (to prevent accidentally cutting my hand). Interestingly, the plane comes with a user manual in seven languages. I find that the manual is a great idea for beginners. It includes reassembly instructions and parts diagram, and instructions for sharpening the blade and flattening the sole in the "Mainenance" section. The manual, if perused or read, can make a beginner's first experience successful. I have recommended this plane to friends, and now recommend it to anyone considering an all-purpose first plane. It's a great product for the price. I have mine planing as well as my Stanley No. 4.

Great plane. Very easy to use to shave doors for fit. Good value for the money.

Great plane for learning woodworking! The blade came reasonably sharp, and as a result, I was able to plane some wood right after it came in the mail. The plane had a nice weight to it, and the handles are made from a nice wood. I would highly recommend this plane to someone who is looking to get into woodworking because it is a good value, works well, and is easy to use.

I'm new to woodworking and wanted to buy an old plane to refurbish and use. Couldn't find any old ones for the price of this new one (without cracks in the body or missing parts). I bought this plane figuring it needed some initial work out of the box. Wasn't too bad, but I do recommend putting it through the same process you would use to restore an old plane. I recommend the video by Paul Sellers called "Restoring the Bench Plane". After doing all the things Paul suggests, this plane works like a charm for me. The gap between the plane iron and the front of the mouth is larger than I would have expected, meaning when you attach the cap iron (chip breaker), you have to back it off from the cutting edge about 1/8", maybe more. Then you have to drop the blade very far in order to get a shaving. But I managed to get it set perfectly and it takes nice clean cut. I haven't noticed any blade movement caused from setting the cap iron so far back from the cutting edge. I bought a similar one from Menards (for a similar price) and this Amazon plane is MUCH better. It feels better in the hand, looks better, is easier to adjust. Literally better in every way in my opinion. If you can't find an old Stanley to restore and don't want to break the bank, this is the plane to get.

With the clear understanding that no one in the history of tool buying has ever bought a plane that didn't need some tuning up and honing, this one in particular was the worst I've ever experienced in that regard. The handles were loose, the frog was way out, and this blade (aka iron) had the worst grind I've ever seen on a blade of any time in any kind of tool or knife. After a total of about 2 1/2 - 3 hours of lapping and giving it a proper honing and doing all the adjustments on it, I finally got it running nicely. Nice, think full width shavings, and a good, smooth stroke in walnut, cherry, and maple. Took a long time - a LONG time. The initial grind was not square to the iron's edge, or to its face. It was really just terrible. Also, the plane bottom was convex by a couple thou, and I took that down to smooth and flat on a 300 stone, then cleaned it at 1000. Again... a LOT of work, but it's working nicely. The big question now is, how well will this fine hone hold up on this iron...? I don't have a tonne of confidence, but I don't mind a 30-second tune up before each use. Anyway, for under $30, if you have the time to make it right, it's a nice addition to the tool box. If.

Ne fonctionne pas très bien

Very nice thank you Amazon

Preis Leistung ist super! Ich habe die Klinge nachgeschärft alles neu eingestellt, und dann lief der hobel wie von allein ...

on se doute qu'Amazon a lorgner un peu sur la concurrence pour le look et c'est vrai que c'est un bel objet , dans mon cas , sans défaut sur la semelle ou la visserie, ou la fixation de la lame . la prise en main est agréable ainsi que le poids . je l'ai reçu il y a deux jours et il y a déjà plein de copeaux au sol de mon cellier. Pour le prix, c'est une bonne base de départ , on l'on pourra ensuite loger une lame "pro" .celle qui est en place va bien et nécessitera évidemment un réaffutage soigné pour faire durer le plaisir ( mais j'ignore de quelle "trempe" elle est dans le temps , mais les compétences de l'affuteur comptent aussi!) Autre avantage de ce rabot: on peut programmer de faire des travaux de finition le dimanche , sans agresser le voisinage avec les cris d'un rabots électrique! Compatible avec la poésie du travail du bois

Gran calidad y muy buenos acabados.