Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys,

I just bought this Ibex finger plane with a 10mm blade to voice braces
and
the like. The thing is that it doesn't take smooth strips of wood. It's
really
rough and kind of gouges little pieces instead of smooth strips. Is it just
the
blade being dull? It feels pretty sharp or am I just doing something
wrong
(which could very well be the case)? Here's a couple of pics of the plane.
Thanks guys. I'm sure you have the answers...as usual.

Peace,

Ross

hi ross,

from the pics it looks as though you may have the mouth of the plane set too coarsely, (in other words there is too big a gap between the tip of the blade and the brass housing)

of course having the blade super sharp is very important too, i would try sharpening the blade, and then settting the blade about 1mm away from the brass lip, or until there is approx 1/64th of blade protruding above the casing,


i have used one of these little guys for quite a whilee, and they are great when set up right

paddy

My Ibex is a fine little plane, but as with any edged tool, it's about sharpening and setup.

I've got one of these too, it's a great little plane.

Looks like you might have the blade upside down. 'cause Paddy's right, the mouth is open too wide. Bevel side should face down.

Thanks guys. I'll give it a go. Any easy tips on sharpening one of these little
blades? Thanks again.

Ross

First, sharp, sharp, sharp. Second, tiny bites. Third, if you can, try cutting in the opposite, direction. Sometimes it works great. (Of course, the blade does have to be on correctly).

Good planes IMO.

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

If the blade doesn't have any chips out of it, then you don't have to remove a lot of metal to sharpen it and if it does, don't try and get them all out at once - they'll all come out eventually. These blades don't fit in my honing jig, so I do mine by hand very gently and vey carefully. you can use an oilstone or some wet & dry sand paper on something very flat. Best bet is to sharpen often, then it's not such a chore each time you do it.

yeah you have the blade in upside down. The plane is most assuredly
NOT junk. I love that plane, and use it everyday. Flip your blade over and
that will allow you to close the mouth on it, and get fine shavings. The
blades come ready to use..in fact I've never sharpened mine since I got it
(a few years ago), and it still takes razor clean shavings (of course I really
only use it on mahogany, and spruce) The blade should look like a chisel
held upside down when mounted in the plane.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Go to the library and they will have a good book on sharpening, make sure you have a good sharpening stone selection and a chunk of leather to keep an edge longer.
A Veritas MKII honing system is expensive {70beans} but worth very penny - it allows you to put really nice Microbevel on your tools accurately and cleanly, I just bought one yesterday.
Cheers
Charliewood

I second what John said. The blade is upside down. I had the same problem when I got one of these things and I was about to throw it against the wall. Luckily I decided to flip the blade and see what happened. It's been an extension of my fingertip ever since.

Well I must have gottn lucky because mine needed no honing at all. It
came ready to use, and worked very well..super fine shavings..... of
course the blade has to be in the right way...

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Thanks guys,

The way I have the blade set is bevel side down. Is that not the right way? If
I flip it the angle seems that it would be to steep. Let me know. Thanks.

Ross

by the way Ross,

PM me and you can send it to me, I'll use it on one guitar, and send the tool back with a written evaluation.

Thanks Terry,

I think it'll be okay though. I appreciate the offer.