How do you adjust a wooden plane?

You need a small hammer…

Check out the post by Div.

http://lumberjocks.com/woodspark/blog/23559

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

James Krenov has an excellent explanation in his book “A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook”....

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

Small variation on what others said….

I put the plane down on the bench.

Place the blade all the way down to the bench.

Set the wedge and tighten it up a bit.

Now, the blade is almost protruding.

Tap the top of the blade gently and make a test cut.

Repeat until it takes the kind of shaving you are looking for.

If I tap on the back of the plane body to back off the iron, I tap the top of the wedge to make sure it has not loosened up before testing. If it is being a bit touchy, pop the blade all the way out and wipe off the bed and wedge, then start over but re-seat the wedge a bit more firmly.

How hard you tap it depends on how much friction there is between the iron and the bed and how firmly the wedge clamps things down. It sounds a lot harder than it is because you are doing it by feel. Much like trying to explain how to balance a broom upright on your finger. Once you get the feel for it, it is dead simple. Explaining it is a bit complex.

You will need to get that feeling for each plane you use. They really have a bit of individuality. Some you tap gently, some you give a whack. They will also vary a bit with the weather as they adjust to the humidity.

-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/

Basic mechanics are in this video…. David’s book is highly recommended for all plane users.

http://www.davidfinck.com/index.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dag4qNRdRRo

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

After reading your question, I was formulating my answer—-until I read David Kirtley’s. I could have written that word for word, so I won’t bother.

You have to develop a touch through practice..

-- She thought I hung the moon--now she just thinks I did it wrong

You can use a little brass hammer or just a piece of wood from the off cut pile
tap tap tap

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I have David’s book and can vouch for it being a wealth of great information.

-- -Director of slipshod craftsmanship and attention deficit woodworking

The videos answered the question.
Thanks for the links.

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.