Initial modifications for the #043
A screw to hold the loose lever cap, which otherwise tends to fall out and get lost. Leave some side movement in this to allow it to self-centre ...
The original rods were replaced with shorter (M2) rods, long enough for all drawer grooves. Too long and rods are just cumbersome.
All knobs were slotted for screwdriver blade. Tightening the depth stop and fence rods is insurance one wants!
New blades
I made metric blades in M2 steel, 3mm thick and in widths of 3, 6 and 12mm.
Note that the 3mm blade cannot be one width along it length (as mine came originally) and the lever cap will catch on a edge and cause it to cant to one side.
The inside edge off the blades received a slight relief angle ...
Using beading blades
As no doubt along with others, many years ago I sent my Veritas Small Plough to Lee Valley to have modified to use a modified depth stop. At the sam time it was modified for beading blades. The depth stop modification was obvious in the build needs, but I forgot what was needed for beading blades .... that is, until I tried to use a Veritas beading blade in a Record #043 plough plane. It cut briefly, then stopped all together. The #043 is for the Travel Tool Box, and uses metric-sized blades I made from M2 steel
The link to the modified Veritas Small Plow and my modified beading blades is here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolRev...dingPlane.html
The issue with the skate is that it is too wide to run in the groove or trench created by the quirk (raised side edges of the blade).
The solution is to grind the skate to a narrower angle ...
Sliding dovetails
Sliding dovetails are valuable to connect vertical panels and, especially, shelving. Adding this ability to the small #043 will broaden its capability and reduce the number of tools in the tool box.
I always prepare tails first, and then the female/pin side is marked from this.
The tail can be made in two ways with the #043 - either by first sawing and then planing the shoulder ...
... or just by planing the shoulder ...
The key factor here is the blade, which has a 9.5 degree skew for a 1:6 ratio, which is my preference ...
Rather than use the depth stop, run a pencil over the rebate ...
... and stop planing when the pencil marks begin to disappear.
While I am using the Record #043 here, these mods apply for the larger #044 plough plane.
Regards from Perth
Derek