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To camber, or not to camber

Recruiter's picture

To camber, or not to camber (post #169683)

Recruiter on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 09:06
in

I have a Stanley #6 foreplane, that I am never really sure how I should be sharpening the iron.  I don't have a #5 Jack plane.  My next hand tool purchase would be a L-N #8 jointer.  I also have 2 - Stanley #4 Smoothers.  Up to now, I have never been sure if I should camber the blade of the #6, to use as a large Jack, or should I sharpen straight across (cambering only the ends to eliminate tracks) and use it like a small jointer.  Up to now, I have actually used it both ways, but with only one blade for it, its wreaking havok on the blade.

Thanks

Dave

-A +A
Recruiter's picture

Sorry  It double clicked, and (post #169683, reply #1 of 3)

by Recruiter in reply to Recruiter [original] on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 09:14

Sorry  It double clicked, and posted twice.  I can't figure out how to eliminate one of the postings.

RalphBarker's picture

fore scoring and 7 years of sharpening ;-) (post #169683, reply #2 of 3)

by RalphBarker in reply to Recruiter [original] on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 11:13

My suggestion would be to get a couple of additional irons, and sharpen them to different cambers. That would allow you to use it for various purposes.

roc's picture

Always . . . If You Need To (post #169683, reply #3 of 3)

by roc in reply to Recruiter [original] on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 20:29

Once upon a time I read in a translation in an assembly instruction sheet from Taiwanese to English  to " ALWAYS camber round top side to prevent jumping and knocking ".  So that is my advice.  It is working for me so I am sticking with it.

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )