Category: Smoothing planes

More pics of Norris 6 planes

Post author By Gary
Post date February 27, 2016
No Comments on More pics of Norris 6 planes

Further to my queries about my own Norris 6G, a kindly reader has sent some pics of his own (No.6) plane, which seem to have the same characteristic details that I questioned in my plane. Thanks goes out for these pics, it’s sometimes very hard to find good photos for comparisons.

Tags Norris 6, Norris 6G

Norris Planes Smoothing planes

Norris 6G update

No, not more news about a new mobile phone service, but I now have some pics of another Norris 6G, courtesy of Darryl Hutchinson at Classic Planes. Darryl’s pictures are below and I think you will agree my own plane hardly differs. Compare the pictures below, good to see another one in the wild.

Darryl’s plane

My plane

Darryl’s plane

My plane
Darryl’s plane

My plane

Darryls plane

The only noticeable thing being the lack of screw under the handle. (As Paul Blanche pointed out in the comments on the page, these planes sometimes came without.)
So, yes, I’m naming this a rare Norris 6G.

(Update 27.02.2016)
A reader has kindly sent me some pictures of his own Norris 6 plane. It has the same very long horn on the tote and also no screw under the handle. it certainly makes me feel better about my own plane being completely original. Here are the pics from the kindly reader.

Tags Norris 6G

Bench planes Marples & Sons Restoration Smoothing planes

Marples X4 Smoothing Plane

Post author By Gary
Post date April 6, 2013
3 Comments on Marples X4 Smoothing Plane

Just a quick post about a Marples ‘X4’ plane I recently found. I couldn’t find a lot on the web about this plane, so hopefully this will show people some of the details of what, to me, seems like a fantastic tool.

The Marples X4 smoothing plane, which went into production in 1954. Production was short-lived, due to the high production costs of the plane's design. — The Marples X4 smoothing plane, which went into production in 1954. Production was short-lived, due to the high production costs of the plane’s design.

This view shows the distinctive wavy shape of the lever cap release. When you use the plane on it's side, on a shooting board for instance, your fingers have a much better hold with this grip. It's much less awkward than trying to shoot holding a plane with a standard lever cap. — This view shows the distinctive wavy shape of the lever cap release. When you use the plane on it’s side, on a shooting board for instance, your fingers have a much better hold with this grip. It’s much less awkward than trying to shoot holding a plane with a standard lever cap.

With the blade removed, you can see how Marples was clearly taking a design lead from the finer British infills available. The production on those planes pretty much got unsustainable around this time, so as the quality dropped slightly on those, Marples hoped to capitalise. Unfortunately, this plane suffered the same fate, and was short-lived.

Another thing I love about this plane's design is the rounded top on the iron. Again, very distinctive. — Another thing I love about this plane’s design is the rounded top on the iron. Again, very distinctive.

This is perhaps the most interesting thing about the X4. An adjustable throat! By releasing the front two bolts, you can move a big hunk of metal back and forth, effectively opening and closing the throat, just like smaller block planes. The block is very well made, and mates well with the base.

Here you can see the block fully forward, so the mouth is open to maximum, but it could come right back if need be.

I haven't even tuned this plane, I just spent a few hours removing sixty years of filth, but already it's taking feather shavings on the first few passes. — I haven’t even tuned this plane, I just spent a few hours removing sixty years of filth, but already it’s taking feather shavings on the first few passes.

At Hackney Tools, we buy old, good quality woodworking tools. If you have any tools you would like to sell, please get in touch using the contact form on the home page.

Tags Marples X4, smoothing plane, X4

Smoothing planes Spiers

Spiers steel-bodied smoothing plane

Post author By Gary
Post date January 20, 2013
No Comments on Spiers steel-bodied smoothing plane

A fine little Spiers smoothing plane that I intend to put to work very soon. Some small areas of tarnishing and pitting, but lovely rosewood infill. This plane feels fantastic in the hand and I can’t wait to get the Marples iron sharpened and give it a go.

Tags smoothing plane, Spiers, steel