Dieter Schmid - Fine Tools

Dieter Schmid - Fine Tools Georg-Wilhelm-Str. 7 A - 10711 Berlin Tel ++49 30 342 1757 - Fax ++49 30 342 1764 Website: www.fine-tools.com

To prices and other tools

Veritas Pullshave

This pullshave was designed for hollowing or recessing an area; for example, shaping and smoothing chair seats. The unique design is the result of taking a convex spokeshave and reconfiguring it with a handle and knob to make it both easier to use and better suited to rigorous work — there is no tool like it on the market. It will do the work associated with traditional inshaves and travishers. The 1/8 in. (50.8 mm) thick and 2 in. (50.8 mm) wide, lapped, A2 tool steel blade, and carefully machined blade bed and cap iron, all combine to produce chatterfree cutting. The blade bed angle is 45 ° and the sole radius is 3-1/2 in. (88.9 mm). The ductile cast iron body is fitted with a large rear handle and a front knob of bubinga; together they provide exceptional control and comfort. The twin adjustment thumb wheels quickly and accurately control the depth of cut.

Blade Adjustment To increase or decrease the depth of cut, loosen the cap iron thumbscrew so that it just holds the blade in position. With thumb and forefinger, turn each adjustment thumb wheel in the same direction an equal amount until the desired depth of cut is reached. Sight along the sole to gauge the degree of blade projection before trying a test cut. For very light cuts, withdraw the blade completely until it does not project at all, then advance the blade by small increments, making a test cut on a piece of scrap each time. The depth of cut should always be reached by advancing the blade to prevent it from creeping in use. Be aware that the blade is sharp; careless handling can result in serious injury.

Sharpening The blade comes with a finely ground 35° bevel. The cutting edge is ground in a curve to match the sole of the tool; this translates into a 2-1/2 (88.9 mm) radius on the face of the blade. The blade may be sharpened by almost any method. Stones (oil or water), abrasive sheets, a belt sander or power sharpening system will all provide satisfactory results. As with other blades, it is a real time saver to hone only a secondary or micro-bevel and rework the primary bevel only when required. The finely ground blade face can be readily lapped to a mirror finish.

Care and Maintenance The body is ductile cast iron and comes treated with rust preventative. Remove this using a rag dampened with mineral spirits. Clean all machined surfaces, including the area under the blade. We recommend that you initially, then periodically, apply a light coat of paste wax to the sole to seal out moisture and prevent rusting; this also has the added bonus of acting as a lubricant for smoother shaving. Wipe off any wood dust from the sole, apply a light wax coating, let dry, then buff with a clean soft cloth. At the same time, the solvents in the wax will remove any harmful oils left from your fingers that can lead to corrosion. Keep in mind that paste wax contains silicone that, if transferred to your workpiece, could cause finishing problems such as "fish eyes." To avoid this problem, use silicone-free products. However, before treating with a sealant, wipe off any fingerprints with a cloth dampened with a small amount of light machine oil. Remove any residual oil; then apply the sealant to the pullshave’s sole. If storage conditions are damp or humid, your pullshave should, in addition to the treatment outlined above, be wrapped in a cloth or stored in a plane sack. This precaution will also guard against dings and scratches. Every so often, take the pullshave apart and clean all parts with a cloth dampened with a dab of light machine oil and lubricate where necessary. For corrosion, we recommend you first remove the rust with a fine rust eraser, then treat as described above. The bright finish on the brass components can be maintained as above. If a patina finish is preferred, simply leave the brass components unprotected until the desired level of oxidation has occurred, then apply a sealant. If you want to make them bright and shiny again, you can revitalize the surface with a brass polish. The rosewood handles have a lacquer finish and should require nothing more than a wipe with a clean cloth from time to time.