LumberJocks

Pretty Little Plane, but Mixed Results in Using It

Review by Eric posted 640 days ago 644 views 1 time favorited 3 comments Add to Favorites Watch
Pretty Little Plane, but Mixed Results in Using It No-picture-s No-picture-s Click the pictures to enlarge them

I found this little plane in a random hardware store just outside of Kuala Lumpur. It only cost about US$9, so why not? The plane is made by Mujingfang, a Hong Kong-based company that makes a number of wooden hand planes. The reviews I found from googling Mujingfang reveals that the planes are general of quite good quality, and most (if not all) are very reasonably priced. Despite the apparent high quality, it’s clear that these are mass-produced budget planes since, from their website, you buy the planes by the carton (of 50 or 100).

The blade is thick (as you can see in the picture) and made of high-speed steel. It got pretty favorable reviews on a site that is devoted to testing plane blades. The blade on this plane is bevel-down by default, but a fellow LumberJock pointed out that you can flip the blade bevel-up and use it as a scraper plane on figured woods.

I haven’t gotten this plane to work like I’d hoped, but it could be my own user error. First off, I sharpened the blade up very well. For all my deficiencies, I know how to sharpen a plane iron. However, I get a lot of chatter when using the plane. I’m not sure if it’s because of the small size (and weight) or because of the high angle of the iron. Regardless, chatter marks don’t really seem consistent with the results of using a “polish plane,” do they? I have found that the times I’ve used the plane, I’ve given up and just pulled out my Stanley #4.

All in all, I’m glad I gave this plane a shot, and still haven’t entirely written it off, but I need to practice with it a bit more to see if it’s the plane or just me. So, for now, a 2-star rating.

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

View Eric's profile

Eric

784 posts in 684 days



3 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9555 posts in 888 days


posted 640 days ago

Cute little thing, isn’t it?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View keroucscabbie's profile

keroucscabbie

2 posts in 106 days


posted 106 days ago

Hello,

I am now selling Mujingfang Wood Panes on Ebay. I live and work in China, so you receive them at the lowest possible price. Full line of Ebony, Rosewood, and Oak body wood planes will be coming.

Right now I have a limited amount of items available, but as time goes on I will be adding more items. If there is something specific you are looking for just ask and I will track it down. I often add the items recommended by my customers.

Inexpensive, Secure, Trackable shipping available World-Wide

These planes are recommended by Japanese Woodworker website and many others.

Goto Ebay and Search for Mujingfang or my store: The Cab Stand

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/The-Cab-Stand

Thanks

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

17211 posts in 477 days


posted 99 days ago

good review on a little know plane(in the west)

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

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