Popular Woodworking 2000-02 № 113, страница 6
Letters Don't mess with your plane's cast yoke Removing the Slack From a Cast-Iron Yoke is Risky I picked up a copy of Popular Woodworking (September 1999 issue) a couple weeks ago, and one of the articles that I read was "Restoring a Hand Plane" by Rick Peters. This captured my attention because I enjoy restoring and using old hand planes. One of the planes that I use most frequently is a Bailey #4 (late 40's vintage), and it had some slack in the fit between the depth adjusting knob and the "Y" yoke. This article described a technique for tightening this gap by squeezing the yoke with a clamp. Granted, the article warned that the "yoke is cast so it'll only bend so far without breaking." But I tried this procedure on my Bailey #4 and the yoke immediately snapped without first removing any noticeable slack. I was horrified to see this happen to such a treasured tool (it was my grandfather's, and then my father's). My only relief came in knowing that I had planned to do this to my Bedrock #2 if it worked on the #4, and I very well could have trashed a $1,000 tool. In my search for a replacement part, I was unable to locate a new part. After some calling around, I found a shop that had a box full of used replacements. When I asked him if he had any of these because mine had snapped, he replied, "What magazine ran an article that advised people to put their yoke in a vice this time?" He went on to explain that any responsible tool collector would not dream of trying this procedure unless the piece is steel, rather than cast iron. He said he gets four to five new customers, however, each time a magazine or web site promotes this pro cedure. I drove to his shop and was fortunate to find a yoke that fit, after drilling the pin hole out. I would ask that you publish a follow-up to this piece recommending that this procedure will not remove much slack out of most yokes, and no slack out of some yokes. A better strategy would be to take your plane to a local tool collector who may have a coffee can full of replacement parts, and may just have one to fit your plane. Unless the slack is so bad the tool is unusable, you may have a lot to lose by trying this. On a more positive note, I enjoyed your magazine other than this particular tip. I found the projects to be refreshingly different from the other rags. Particularly the camera project, which was the reason I bought a copy in first place. Paul V. Mayer Eden Prairie, Minnesota Editor's note: Rick says that in his experience, he's been able to remove small amounts of slack by tightening a cast yoke with a c-clamp. But, as he warned, it is a risky adjustment. Steel yokes adjust well with little risk. So if you're restoring a plane that has sentimental or real value, you might want to think twice before trying this procedure. How Tightly Should Tabletops be Screwed to Their Bases? I read your reply to the gentleman requesting information on tabletop cupping. I thought your reply was quite interesting especially in light of a lot that I have seen in various magazines and heard on TV. I was Continued on page 10 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Popular Woodworking welcomes letters from readers with questions or comments about the magazine or woodworking in general.We try to respond to all correspondence. Published letters may be edited for length or style.All letters become the property of Popular Woodworking. How to Send Your Letter: • E-mail: Popwood@FWPubs.com • Fax: (513) 531-0919 • Mail carrier: Letters • Popular Woodworking 1507 Dana Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45207 10 Popular Woodworking February 2000 |
