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- The body should be in excellent condition
in order for the plane to be a worthwhile
purchase. It's crucial that the block
isn't warped; otherwise, the plane won't
track properly. Occasionally, its end
grain will have checked over the years,
but if this isn't significant, it won't
cause any problems during use. Small dings
and dents that are merely the results
of use are all right, but avoid signs
of abuse or excessive wear such as a modified
mouth, or a sole that has much of its
detail eroded.
- The wedge must be in good shape and
should fit the plane. That is, the wedge's
taper and the angle on the front of the
throat should be the same; otherwise,
setting the iron will be impossible. A
new wedge is not difficult to make, though
attention to fit is critical.
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In the second part of this article—which will be
published in an upcoming woodworking newsletter—I'll
offer some advice for cleaning, tuning, and using
molding planes, allowing you to incorporate these
classic tools into your work.
Andrew Strome
Lee Valley staff
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