Cheers for this video. I've just found a A5 at a garage sale, the owner didn't know what it was and I asked how much for it, he said "£5?", of course it was a certain yes! Restoring mine now although it will only be my second plane restoration so we'll see how it comes out like
Curious about the adjuster, is it better than the Bailey adjusters or is it just hype? Like, does it adjust well, can you differentiate between backlash and actual movement, is it fragile, and whatnot. Thanks in advance
Oh and the finish, does it fully protect the wood from sweat and oils? I kind of prefer my handles to absorb some of the sweat and oils from use, but at the same time, I like that satin look. I am torn, I normally just use BLO and overtime it will develop a satin look.
I find the design of the Norris to be more ergonomic than a Stanley, that is, its more comfortable to hold and push. The body is shorter than a Stanley and not as heavy. Which means it has a lighter glide over the workpiece. You need to apply more vertical force. For these reasons I consider it a finishing plane, where you want the finest shavings. This is where it is better than a Stanley because the adjust is very fine. The weakness I have discovered is that the iron can pivot aroubd more easily so you really need to clamp it down. It also doesnt have a lateral adjustment level like the stanley which makes it a real pain to correct once it moves. Like the old wooden planes, tapping the corners of the iron is the quickest way to get the iron pivoted back to centre but that involves some trial and error.
@@adobotachibana732 Like Stanleys, Most of the Norris planes were beech wood finished with brown/red shellac. Boiled linseed can make this wood look very murky and can pick up dirt. If you want an aged and rustic look this might be fine, I just prefer the refined look of shellac!
Each to their own! There was no value in keeping the “patina” since the finish was bubbling away. As for the sole, it needed flattening and the sides just needed a clean up. I’m happy with it. Feels and works much better now and that’s the point for me. It’s a tool not a museum piece. This is how I preferred to do it.
