How to set the Lever Cap on a Bench Plane | Paul Sellers

How to set the Lever Cap on a Bench Plane | Paul Sellers

Understanding what pressures to apply to your Stanley and Record planes enable you to fully adjust your bench plane in seconds. This video is a good start and shows the reasoning behind get the exact pressures right.
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33 Comments

  1. Aidan McNeill on October 13, 2022 at 3:16 am

    I tried to tell this to my woodwork teacher in school but no luck.



  2. Lumber Jill on October 13, 2022 at 3:17 am

    I wanted to thank you Paul for passing along your knowledge. Got my first bench plane (Stanley/ Bailey #4) this year. I watched your video how to refurbish and sharpen over and over and over. Put the plane to wood and got the most beautiful ribbon! Instant addiction! Went to a trading post and found an old Stanley/ Bailey #4 and #5 for$25 each. Cleaned and sharpened them and put them to use. I make live edge slab shelving and these hand planes have been a game changer. Thank you again Paul for showing that hand planes are not intimidating!



  3. Mikael Johansson on October 13, 2022 at 3:18 am

    Thank you, Paul! I think I have overtighten the screw.



  4. Darin on October 13, 2022 at 3:21 am

    thanks



  5. tjenahoj on October 13, 2022 at 3:23 am

    As an amateur but proud owner of Hellstedt No4, Memo No5 and Bailey No7 I immediately checked this (it was ok) and gave the wooden handles some linseed-love. 🙂



  6. KAMIRAH on October 13, 2022 at 3:23 am

    . . . Thanks Paul . . . ❤❤❤



  7. Christopher Castor on October 13, 2022 at 3:24 am

    Thank you. My problem is that my planes are in really rough shape, so the levers are not free enough to get a good audible “Snap” or “clunk” when it “cam’s over” to lock down.
    I really should take the time to fettle my lever caps and give the same attention to them as I give the cutting edges, cap iron fitment, frog base stability, and frog positioning in the throat.
    It’s a mechanism compromised by many parts. Parts which need to work in harmonious unison. It’s similar to sharpening, stropping, and polishing your chisels to a mirror finish before lining it up on a dovetail knifewall; then smacking it with a hand sledge.
    Everything needs to participate equally in a balanced approach much like the various facets of our daily lives.
    I’m reminded of Paul’s Vibrations video that discussed work holding, plane direction, filing, and the force with which we approach the task at hand. Sensitivity was the overarching theme of the conversation. I took an incredible amount of useful knowledge from that video and I do my best to apply it in every aspect of my life; both in the workshop and out.
    Paul you are a true master, an ultimate craftsman, genuine gentleman, and purely kind soul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have so selflessly given me. You may never know the difference you’ve made in my life and I’m so many others but on you work for the greatest of good. The most noble pursuit is that of the betterment of others. You Sir are nobility indeed.
    With deepest thanks and utmost respect,
    Christopher Castor
    “The1HandiMan”



  8. MC's Creations on October 13, 2022 at 3:24 am

    Fantastic, Paul! Thanks a lot! 😃
    Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊



  9. CAG on October 13, 2022 at 3:32 am

    Hi Paul, very informative video,, what advice can you give when the plane has a setting screw/bolt rather than a lever ? If you get my meaning. Thanks



  10. John Doe on October 13, 2022 at 3:37 am

    Paul your tutelage is invaluable and I know I’m not alone In saying thank you for teaching me how to build things and understand wood and tools. Been watching for 6 years now.



  11. Essential Handyman on October 13, 2022 at 3:40 am

    This tip is way more important than many people realise. Thanks Paul.



  12. Geoffrey Maddison on October 13, 2022 at 3:40 am

    H Paul. I’ve watched both your adjusting videos on the baley number 4. Would it be possible for you to show how to set up the (don’t know the proper name for it) but, it’s the piece that fastened to the sole of the plane and the blade and everything else is fastened to. Kindest regards Geoff Maddison



  13. SMEAC on October 13, 2022 at 3:41 am

    Thank you Paul, we love you bunches brother!



  14. Matt Evans-Koch on October 13, 2022 at 3:43 am

    Thank you Paul. Very timely information for me. Take care and have a great weekend.



  15. Wally Friend on October 13, 2022 at 3:44 am

    I always thought this was common sense.



  16. Momchil Alakushev on October 13, 2022 at 3:48 am

    Why the screw that holds the lever cap is a flat head one, not a small knurled brass knob, so that no screwdriver is needed for the adjustment?



  17. Butch Catajoy on October 13, 2022 at 3:50 am

    Sir, very good video. I have the same metal bench plane but don’t know how set up the blade. Now I know. Thank you.



  18. whoopdiddy on October 13, 2022 at 3:50 am

    I have clearly been over tightening mine……for some time ugh🙁



  19. zetus kid on October 13, 2022 at 3:52 am

    Oh, thank you Paul. I learned something.



  20. הראל חיים on October 13, 2022 at 3:53 am

    Thanks!!



  21. Drifter Nomad on October 13, 2022 at 3:53 am

    Its always good to learn something new and you teach us in a way we all can understand, I have learned so much from just 4 of your videos Thank you Paul … From Drifter in Fl USA



  22. K LE on October 13, 2022 at 3:53 am

    Does this apply to a Norris style adjuster?



  23. David Edmonds on October 13, 2022 at 3:54 am

    Hi Paul, I have watched a lot of your lessons on here, and I have learned a lot about old Carpentary tools. I have a plane inherited from my grandfather and have no idea what it is. It is metal with an oblong sole with two blades at angles one each side set like a “v”. Have you any idea what it is and how to use it. Thank you for passing on your knowledge it has helped so much. I am sixty seven years old and love trying out all these tools.



  24. Robert Bamford on October 13, 2022 at 3:56 am

    Often overlooked. Thanks for the video! (With respect to the click, paraphrase Victor Borge: let’s see what that sounds like.)



  25. Skippy Lippy on October 13, 2022 at 4:02 am

    Informative and excellent presentation as always! 👍



  26. Ben Smith on October 13, 2022 at 4:03 am

    I was using my plane today and wondering how this needed to be set, perfect timing!



  27. Karl Alan on October 13, 2022 at 4:05 am

    Was not aware about the dispute in terminology between cap iron and chip breaker.



  28. John Erdahl on October 13, 2022 at 4:09 am

    thank you



  29. Diane Miller on October 13, 2022 at 4:09 am

    Thank you! Still learning and your teaching helps bring clarity to using hand tools!



  30. Hassan Al-Mosawi on October 13, 2022 at 4:10 am

    Thanks for sharing those tips!



  31. Ham68 on October 13, 2022 at 4:11 am

    That’s how I was taught, to get that "just right" snap. Thank you sir. Cheers 🙂



  32. bighand69 on October 13, 2022 at 4:12 am

    It was an ingenious design that is still relevant today. An extremely simple system to use.



  33. Superchip 1 on October 13, 2022 at 4:15 am

    It’s called a lever cap ,under the lever cap is the cap iron ,under the cap iron is the blade there is no chip breaker in the uk but maybe in America