Old Block plane revisited...finally did something with it

[Kevin in California]

If you remember I got this plane last year sometime. A vendor at the local flea market who I have bought a few planes from, gave this one to me. He is always on the look out now for me for hand planes. It is marked "3" and I think that is probably the most he paid for it, $3
.
Anyway I finally have cleaned it up, primed and painted the bed, and just today put a scary sharp edge on the iron, so I can now use the thing.

This plane is very old. It is a "Chaplin" patent design that was made and sold by the Tower & Lyon Hardware company. This design was made from around 1890 to 1910 so it dates to sometime in that 20 year period. It is their model 30, with an adjustable mouth. The design has a totally unique adjuster to move the blade in and out. They are not real common, but you will find one or two of these or the model 20 on Ebay occassionally.

This one is in great shape other than a small chip out of the front edge on one side. It cleaned up nicely, all done on the wire wheel.

Just though you all would be interested in the before and after pictures.

[Dave Bagwill]

Very cool. Where does the mouth adjust?

[Kevin in California]

see bottom picture, the mouth plate slides forward and back, closing the gap in the mouth opening in front of the irons edge

[Dave Bagwill]

I did not put that question well - actually I wanted to know where the adjustment screws are.

[Kevin in California]

Ha, okay then. The front knob turns, unscrews to allow the mouth to move them you tighten it down

[Dave Bagwill]

That's still not exactly what I was.......oh, wait, yes it was!
Thanks.

[Herman]

Time machine Kevin, nice pics.
Herman