Harbor Freight - No 33 Windsor Design Hand Plane (Rating: 4)

I bought this to try when I first started out in hand tools as my first hand plane, basically because it was $12. I figured if it was horrible for $12, it would make a great paper weight. My expectations were not high. Let me be clear from the get go, this is not a LN or LV plane. It may compare with an older stanley, on stanleys worst day of milling, but not horrible for $12. Also, please keep in mind that this review is strictly based off the fact that for $12 and a little time, you can get decent performance for the occassional hobbyist.

Ok, first I flattened the bottom which was pretty square from the getgo. Did not need a lot of lapping to get flat. It's roughly the size of a #3 hand plane, almost like a large block plane with a handle. Tonight I sharpened the blade and flattened the back which also was surprisingly flat from the mill. Just a note that this plane is made in india, and not china. The first obvious difference between this and stanley, lee valley, etc is the blade adjustment. It does not have a chipbreaker, but only a cap which tightens with a knurled screw. The blade is a dual adjustment very similar to a spokeshave. Its almost a hybrid between a plane and a spokeshave. After sharpening and getting it adjusted, I was pleasantly surprised by the results for $12 and about an hour of time. It's no Bedrock, but what do you want for $12?? Here ya go: