Chris, I don't think it's any kind of offcut. I think the holes make it easier to handle and hold. I'm not sure they're essential though.
Randy, the angles appear different in the image but they are the same-49.3o.
Note the two holes on the leftmost end in the first image. They overlap, kind of sloppily. Note also the Sharpied number on the side.
So here's my theory: It's a school project. Metals 205 maybe. The student was required to cast a part and machine it and machine additional parts to a certain degree of precision when installed. (The iron and wedge both have machining marks on them, not visible in the images.) The chamfering of the holes is pretty sloppy and the overall texture of the casting is quite inconsistent.
Given the general standards of plane making over the years, this falls short of even a cheaper homecraft type tool.
Everything about this plane says "handmade" to me. If the chamfers are as sloppy as you say (it's hard to tell in the photos), I would agree that it's cast.
If you had the right equipment, it wouldn't be terribly hard to make one of these in an afternoon in a metal shop. Heck, if it would save me the >$150 for a new Veritas/Lie-Nielsen shoulder plane, I'd do it for me too.
Lee
pattern makers in foundrys made wood molds for casting in iron, steel, brass, bronze whatever and made the tools they needed to do their job. Making the toolkit for the job taught them the job. (like carpenters apprentices making a chest, square, grannys tooth router etc.
I was taken to Swan Hunters as a kid and had a tour of the yard. fascinating place
I really like how the guy who cast this made one tool for two angles of attack, pretty ingenious.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!