Veritas No. 4 Plane Review By: I.Ball
Category: New Smoothing Planes
Extra Info: What is a Smoothing Plane? Smoothing Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Veritas Tools
Plane Type: Smoothing
Model No: 4
The Veritas plane number 4 is a 9 1/2 inch long smoothing plane made
from stress-relieved ductile cast iron with hardwood handles and a choice
of three types of plane blades.
The Veritas number 4 plane is supplied with one of the following blades:
- O1 Steel Blade (hardened to Rockwell 58-60)
- A2 Steel Blade (hardened to Rockwell 60-62)
- PMV-11 Steel Blade
The number 4 plane blades are 51mm (2 inch) wide, 3mm (1/8 inch) thick made with
a flatness level of 0.0002" or less on the cutters working surface.
The blades are slightly thicker than most traditional iron smoothing plane blades
which has the advantage of reducing any chance of chatter when planing.
This number 4 plane is Veritas's version of innovating the traditional number 4
iron planes made traditionally by makers such as Stanley and Record.
Veritas have given the plane an updated modern look which still resembles the core
elements of the traditional number 4 plane but with modern twists that give it the
synonymous Veritas tools look.
The plane body has an accurately machined and ground sole and sides to ensure the
plane body is flat. The body is constructed from a ductile cast iron which has been
stress relieved.
This material is advertised as being more durable and stable than grey cast iron
(the material used in most traditional bench planes).
The Veritas 4 has slightly larger side walls where the walls meet the frog. These
larger walls are designed to increase stability when shooting.
The plane has a rear handle, frog, blade adjusting and blade securing system which
is made as one unit. This unit can be separated from the plane body and front knob.
The special purpose of this design is to allow the mouth to be adjusted easily without
needing to remove the blade, lever cap or reset the blade position/depth.
This single rear unit can be accurately moved backwards or forwards to set the mouth
size by first slackening the frog locking screw and the frog locking knob.
Once loosened, turning the knurled brass frog adjustment wheel nut located at the
rear of the frog will close or open the mouth to the required size.
A narrow mouth is suitable for very fine smoothing work whereas a wide open mouth
is more suited to heavier stock removal.
The frog on the Veritas 4 smoother plane is large with the frog extending to the
sole.
The feature of the large frog extending to the sole offers the blade increased stability
which as a result further reduces any chance of blade chatter.
The plane blade should be positioned with the bevel facing downwards as typical
for smoothing planes.
The plane has a blade bed angle of 45 degrees. The standard plane cutter is set
with a cutting edge bevel of 30 degrees with a micro bevel of 35 degrees.
As the bevel faces down the cutting angle is the same as the bed angle which is
45 degrees.
The blade is secured in place by securing the lever cap with the use of the lever
cap securing nut. The securing nut is the brass knurled nut located at the top of
the lever cap.
The plane is fitted with a dual function blade adjuster:
(i) The adjuster allows the user to accurately set the depth at which the blade
is set. These depth of cut fine adjustments are carried out by turning the brass
wheel nut at the very top of the plane blade.
(ii) The adjuster can also be used to laterally (sideways) adjust the blade. The
lateral adjustments are easily made by sliding, sideways, the brass wheel nut at
the very top of the plane blade.
The Veritas plane 4 is fitted with a shaped Bubinga rear handle and front knob which
closely resemble the shape of most traditional iron smoothing planes.
Bubinga is a high end timber often referred to as African Rosewood, a material currently
used by a number of high-end tool makers.
The patented Veritas smoothing plane no. 4 is made in Canada.
* Important: please refer to the 'disclaimer' at the foot of this review.
* Wearing safety clothing and eye protection is usually a good idea to help protect against injury.
- The blade(s)/cutter(s) is very sharp, take suitable precautions when using/handling/storing
the plane/cutter(s) to prevent injury.
- Failure to loosen parts when making adjustments to the plane can result in damage
to the plane such as cross-threading screw threads. Never force a part to move.
- Overtightening parts can cause damage to the plane and the plane threads.
Length Of Sole: 241mm (9 1/2 inch)
Weight: 4lb 6oz
Body: Stress-relieved ductile cast iron
Lever Cap: Ductile cast iron
Lever Cap Securing Screw: Brass
Handle and Knob: hardwood
Plane finish: Black
Veritas 4 Plane Blade / Cutter
Material: O1, A2 or PMV-11
Width: 51mm (2 inch)
Blade Thickness: 3mm (1/8 inch)
Cutter Bevel Angle: 30 degrees
Cutter Bevel Micro Angle: 35 degrees
Blade Markings: "Veritas, Canada" and the material e.g. "A2"
"4" - found at the front of the plane between the mouth and the front knob.
"Veritas, Canada" - found at the rear of the plane.
"Veritas" - found on the lever cap face.
<2006 - Today
The Veritas No.4 Plane - News Updates / Historical Updates:
<2006-2018 - The plane handle and knob was made from Bubinga (sometimes referred
to as African Rosewood).
2018-Today - The plane handle and knob was made from what was simply advertised
as 'hardwood'.
....
Do you have a question/answer or something to share about this tool?
Please Contact Us
- Veritas Tools Inc.
(i) Please always refer to and follow the manufacturer's instructions / guidelines /
safety notices / cautions and similar notices as the manufacturer's instructions
may contain important information on safety, personal safety and the good health of your tool,
something to which this review's scope does not guarantee to extend to.
(ii) This review may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given
in good faith however any such information should not be solely relied upon and should not be seen
as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines.
Refer to disclaimer note (i) for information on safety, as well as the
good health of your tool.
In addition refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices
for the good health of your tool and property.
(iii) The details here are given in good faith, there is scope for error and shouldn't
be fully relied upon, please be aware the details may also become out of date due to manufacturer
changes to the product, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional
research from reliable sources.
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