Super-tuning the Stanley 12-404 plane

(I haven't used this one, but it looks good)


Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

[BruceEEvans]

Full disclosure: I am not a woodworker. I am an engineer who is starting to do a few projects in retirement.
If I may offer some advice - When your sandpaper starts to get loaded up with iron filings or anything do not reach for a brush and scatter the dust all over your shop. Instead, turn on your shop vac* and suck it up. Much cleaner. Thanks for all your videos. I find them very helpful.

*If you don't have a shop vac, why not?

[BakerMikeRomeo]

I think my favorite part of this video is how succinctly you were able to prove the "tap adjustment" method works in a way that can't be gainsaid - each step of the process is followed by an immediate hands-on demonstration (based on a method previously used and described in the video) of its practical effect on the workpiece. Tap tap, take a shaving; tap tap, take a shaving; tap tap, take a shaving. It's beautifully simple, and I feel like it's exactly the kind of thing that would get left out of a more advanced demonstration of the process.

Well done, Rex.

[PeteSudlow]

Wow, Rex! I clicked on this video expecting a brief tune up of a cheap plane. What I got was an amazingly in-depth look at how woodworking doesn't depend on expensive tools but the time, effort, & ingenuity one puts in to the project and figuring out to over come hurdles that you face. Thanks for all the time & effort you put into this video and your channel!

[Pikeandglaive]

Rex,

I'm about 1 year into woodworking, and even have some local awards for my beginner stuff. In fact, your 6 board chest was part of what helped get me going.

This video just helped me solve my plane problem. The cheep plane I have been fighting with for 8 months about had me ready to load it into our trebuchet and use it for target practice, but I looked back at your old video's, saw this, and holy s***! That was the answer. Pulling the screws out and using a hammer to tap it....I'm getting BEAUTIFUL shavings now that are just a sight to behold.

Keep up the good work! And God bless you!

Cisco

[arnoldkotlyarevsky]

"...if you are new to this, go ahead and take a few strokes. You might be really surprised at how satisfying this sensation is..."

[tomweinstein]

Seeing you remove the adjusters was a revelation.

[wolfgang]

This is by far the most reasonable and useful introduction to setting up and using a metal handplane I found on the net. Very well done, thank you!

[davem]

Rex, you not only KNOW your stuff, but you are wonderfully skillful at getting it across to us. Many thanks!!

[garydargan]

Liked the video. I relocated to Malaysia some time ago and sadly there is no DIY tradition here despite having a Mr DIY chain. Most tools are cheap and not so cheerful and Home Depot style stores don't exist. You don't just roll up cruise the aisles and load your trolley with goodies. You really have to hunt for the basics. On my last trip to Oz I managed to bring back two old Stanley planes and I'll probably get one decent plane out of them plus spares. I've brought a few cheap tools from China online and so far so good. In fact a cheap Japanese style pull saw helped solve a major frustration for me. Damage to my wrist means I cant hold a conventional pistol grip push saw properly and no matter how hard I try can't get straight cuts. Using a pull saw made woodwork fun again.

[SpikeTheSpiker]

I did carpentry and joinery when I was super young at school. The teachers didn't teach you how to set up the tools or how to keep them in good conditions. I feel like that was one of their biggest failures. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge for free.

[timsack]

I bought a Harbor Freight that looks like your plane's brother. for $13. I flattened it and sharpened it and hated it because of those adjusters. Tomorrow, they are coming off so i can try the tapping trick. I have my hope restored. Thank you.

[therealzilch]

As a musical instrument maker for fifty years, I can corroborate that planing is satisfying.

Nice work again. Cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott

[madwilliamflint]

*watches the most useful video on plane tuning he's ever seen*
"This video was...a bit of a goof."
o.O

[TheHeraldOfChange]

15:05 - My old high school wood working teacher would have pulled me by the ear and dragged me around the workshop if I dropped the plane on the bench like you did Rex, It always had to go in the tool well angled, or, IF it were left on the bench it had to be placed side down, so as not to damage or ding the edge of the cutting iron. It's great watching your videos. It brings up lots of fond and not so fond memories for me. My shoulders are big enough to enjoy the lot, regardless. Keep up the good work.

[johnmcglynn]

Thanks. You are a great instructor, extremely clear, not only telling someone what to do but why to do it. Can't thank you enough. Been doing home woodworking for 30 years and my father's Stanley Nos 4 and 6 have been sitting there looking at me all the time, unused. Time to get busy.
Best regards,
John from SF, CA

[Vikingwerk]

Well, I just finished following these steps on this exact plane.
Either the Gator brand sandpaper I can get here is junk, or the overall finish of my plane was much worse than yours, because it took forever. 
I ended up going down a grit to 150 to do the bulk of the work, then finishing with 220 for a final pass, and I actually used up 4 sheets of sandpaper, to the point that no amount of sweeping would un-clog them. I probably removed three tablespoons of iron dust.
I am delighted to report that the results are fantastic! I followed the sharpening steps using automotive paper, no strop, and although my results are not quite as hair shavingly perfect as yours Rex, they now cut a beautiful shavings on wood! 
I also took the time to run the same process of flattening and sharpening on the little Stanley block plane i had from the local hardware store that I was previously disappointed in, and now I'm proud to announce it is actually a working little plane! Thanks for all the tips, you've inspired me to actually get started on so many projects!

[SonsOfThunder]

I was about to spend $2000 on power tool for wood working, but i realized ive collected more tools than i need over the years to build quality projects, now i just have to get going!

[garycawley]

I've got one of these Stanley planes, and I hated it. Now, after this video, I love it! Thanks Rex!

[jimmyhinAK]

Thank you for not being the average YouTube person who believes you must have the most expensive items to do a hobby or side hustle.

[eCitizen]

For sharpening, I work it with diamond grit 200, 400, 600 and 800 then go to the slow leather stropping wheel with green compound to get a beautifully polished super sharp edge. It works great for chisels, knives, blades and razors.