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2 August 2016 at 1:55 am #138993
Hello Steve,
Yep, this is a known issue, but fairly easy to remedy.
The threaded rods are usually sloppy in their fixing hole in the sole.
When the rod is tightened, the tension secures it enough to eliminate any wobble.
The angle of the rod is never exactly matched to the angle of the hole through the tote.
The whole combination flexes slightly as the rod is tightened and makes for a solid fixing.
If the angle is way out (and it usually is) unscrew the rod a turn or two at the sole end.
Leaving enough purchase to secure it, but allowing it to flex to meet the angle of the tote. Too tight at the sole (all the way in) and it will not want to deviate from that angle, stressing the tote too much.The newer-style ‘resin’ handles are expanded polystyrene. They can withstand the tension of a tightened rod. Someone may have forced yours with the rod too rigid, wrenched the brass nuts too tightly, or it wasn’t flat where the base of the tote meets the casting, creating a pressure-point.
Repair/replace the totes.
Check your tote base is flat using fine abrasive paper.
Check your sole casting where the tote sits. Flatten with abrasive paper/fine file.
Check the length of the rod and unscrew it a turn or two, allowing it to meet the tote angle.I’d avoid using glues of any kind. If it’s glued solid, you’ll have no ‘give’ in it when using it and stresses will be transmitted through to the brittle cast-iron sole – particularly if you were to knock the tote hard against something.
If you decide upon hardwood replacements, your planes will look and feel much better.
The downside is they tend to go for £12 per pair on eBay.
Wooden totes shrink slightly over time and the rod needs to be shortened 1mm-2mm.
Paul’s “Restoration of a Bench Plane” will show you it’s done.Don’t be tempted to use Brasso to polish-up your resin/polystyrene handles.
Brasso usually works well on most plastics, but it does not react well with these!
How do I know? Mine dissolved to a horrible distorted mess and wouldn’t stop melting. -
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