After purchasing a Stanley Sweetheart #4 with all its issues, i won't be purchasing anymore Stanley's soon. I have very similar issues as yours. Perhaps this will help me solve my issues. I keep getting scratches while planning. I haven't figured 9ut that issue either.
Hi thanks for watching and comment. The SW Block Plane is a real horror I bought it because I like to try different tools to see which I prefer. Now I’m approaching retirement I have problems with my hands and joints so I look for tools to make work a little easier. My no4 had only minor problems out of the box but felt very different to what I was used to so I modified it to my liking. The Stanley Low Angle jack is a great plane for end grain and the edges of plywood ect. I’ve found nothing better and is a bargain compared to others . It does feel weird when you first use it but the same is true of all low angle jacks. My only complaint is at this point in time there are no replacement blades available but this could change . 👍
With regard to getting scratches when planning have you tried to take the sharp edge off the back of the mouth behind the blade only a very small amount. Sometimes if this edge is very sharp it will mark the timber after the blade has cut.👍
After purchasing a Stanley Sweetheart #4 with all its issues, i won't be purchasing anymore Stanley's soon. I have very similar issues as yours. Perhaps this will help me solve my issues. I keep getting scratches while planning. I haven't figured 9ut that issue either.
Hi thanks for watching and comment. The SW Block Plane is a real horror I bought it because I like to try different tools to see which I prefer. Now I’m approaching retirement I have problems with my hands and joints so I look for tools to make work a little easier. My no4 had only minor problems out of the box but felt very different to what I was used to so I modified it to my liking. The Stanley Low Angle jack is a great plane for end grain and the edges of plywood ect. I’ve found nothing better and is a bargain compared to others . It does feel weird when you first use it but the same is true of all low angle jacks. My only complaint is at this point in time there are no replacement blades available but this could change . 👍
With regard to getting scratches when planning have you tried to take the sharp edge off the back of the mouth behind the blade only a very small amount. Sometimes if this edge is very sharp it will mark the timber after the blade has cut.👍