Woodworking 101: Hock Blades Stanley 2 3/8 replacement for #5 1/2

Sonntag, 24. Juni 2012

Hock Blades Stanley 2 3/8 replacement for #5 1/2

After restoring some 200-300 bench planes this was my first replacement iron purchase. After purchasing a Stanley type 11 #5 1/2 at a flea market, (Seen here, along with some restoration pictures) i decided to purchase a new iron for the worn out existing one. Since Lee Valley was running a no shipping promotion, I decided to go with the #19P2005, 2-3/8” x 7” Hock Plane Blade.

The plane arrived slightly before I finished the restore. First this is an earlier type 5 1/2 which original took a 2 1/4” blade. I had measured it before ordering and the blade was actually 2 5/16”, so I wasn’t sure which one it really was, and maybe it wasn’t original. I figured removing 1/16” if need be wasn’t an issue, and that exactly what I wound up doing.

These pictures are with the hock blade straight out of the package. First are pine second set are red oak.

While doing the above testing, both for the restored plane and the new iron, I noticed the mouth was a little tight with no allowance for a more aggressive cut. I’ve heard others say no modifications were required for a new Hock iron, so I started doing a little comparison. I went as far as sharpening and putting the old iron back in. It was still very tight. I happened to have 2 other Stanley #5 1/2s in the shop so I started measuring and sure enough, the recently restored plane was much narrower than my other two, and they both have the original Stock irons, so a few swipes with a file to widen the mouth was in order.

I then took the Hock to the DMT’s. The back was perfectly flat, so no work was needed. The majority of work was to get the corners rounded to eliminate the strike marks. Honing was simple and easy. Noting again this is my first new blade I must say its the easiest iron I’ve honed.

So after honing oak shot.

I’m still not an advocate of replacing stock Stanley (or any manufacture for that matter) irons just because it saves some plane tuning time, but if the iron has been sharpened out, and the end is near, I can now recommend the Hock Plane Blades.