#4-1/2 Smoothing Plane Reviews

3.4 Rating 18 Reviews

About Woodcraft:

Woodcraft Supply, LLC is one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies. You'll find Woodcraft stores in more than 70 major metropolitan areas across the U.S.; and Woodcraft annually distributes 1.5 million catalogs featuring more than 10,000 items to all 50 states and 117 foreign countries. The Woodcraft catalog is a standard among woodworkers as the most complete offering of first rate products for woodworking available anywhere. Woodcraft also publishes six issues of Woodcraft Magazine annually.

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Phone:

800-535-4486

Location:

1177 Rosemar Rd,
Parkersburg
West Virginia
26105

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DT From SOUTH PARK

Verified Reviewer

“Let me start off by saying that after a little work, this plane is capable of doing anything a plane costing almost 3 times more would do. I had one issue with mine that involved the blade. One corner of the back (flat) side of the blade was ground too deep and required me to take about .0045" off the back of the blade. I was able to do this because I have access to machinery that can accomplish this easily. The plus to that was that when I was done, the entire blade surface was flat to .0001" and ground to an equivalent surface finish you would get from a 4000 grit stone. (yes, one ten-thousandths of an inch) For most people without access to the equipment I do, this would have been a reason to return the plane for a replacement. If you watch Rob Cosman's video on this plane, even he mentions that if the blade is out of flat too much to return it. I did consider this, but since I was able to fix it myself with little effort, I just did it. That is the reason I took off one star. Otherwise, the plane is darn near perfect. Woodcraft, you can take this as a reason to watch your quality control just a bit more closely. (while I was in the shop grinding the blade I checked the hardness. 61 Rockwell C. Exactly what they claim.) Interestingly enough, the back end of the blade was in the 35rC range. Something I never knew about plane blades, that they were not hard all along the length of the blade. I may check my other planes sometime to verify they are all that way. So, the rest of the plane was just great. The sole was flat within .0005" right out of the box. Probably better than the spec for that plane. Before I redid the blade or did any kind of sharpening, it was able to take .0015" shavings off a board with an almost perfectly smooth surface. After I reground the blade and sharpened it, I was able to shave endgrain pine to a smooth surface with a continuous shaving coming off the plane. Hard maple shavings I could get down to less than .001" and so thin they stuck fast to your hand with static, leaving a glass smooth surface behind. The sides of the plane were square with the sole to within .002 total. (that's about .06 degrees.) easily good enough. The depth adjustment for the blade was smooth and precise. No complaints there. The weight of the plane is just right to make it easy to smooth the wood surface, not too light and not too heavy. Bottom line, this plane is worth every penny I paid for it, and probably more, since I got it on sale for $159. At that price, or even the regular price, there is nothing on the market that can touch it. If it wasn't for the issue with the blade, it easily would have gotten 5 stars. If you are looking for this size plane, you just can't go wrong with this one. Again, I could have returned it because of the blade and Woodcraft would have exchanged it for me with no problems but I was able to fix that myself. I only mention it so if someone ever gets a Woodriver product with a problem they will take care of you. Highly recommended”

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Posted 7 years ago

MC From Smithfirld

Verified Reviewer

“Well made, square and flat enough for me. The iron took considerable work to flatten, and had very very small chipping on the bevel edge. I continued tu use it and after many honing so, the edge is clean. Very hard iron, by the way. The setup cuts as well as my old planes, one with a best quality aftermarket iron. Adjustments are great and you will find yourself with it in your hand often. Get past China and never be disappointed.”

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Posted 8 years ago