Veritas PMV-11 Blade in Lie Nielsen No4 Smoother --- Crazy Nice

[TheSergeant]

I've become a PMV11 convert over the last couple years.  Many of my LN places have been sold and replaced with Veritas equivalents in large part because of how freaking good PMV11 steel.  I'm lucky in that I have an older LN No4 Bronze smoother that has a W-1 blade.  That steel can get pretty sharp but it simply doesn't last.  I find myself reaching for my Veritas Low Angle Jacke with a 35* PMV11 blade often. 

In comes the PMV11 blade for my No4.  The dimensions are almost a perfect match except for the cutout in the center of the blade.  The lateral adjustment lever has a small disc on it's end that fits in here.  On the Veritas it's too narrow by something like .009" or so (can't remember exactly).  I have a mill so I was able to use a carbide endmill and remove the necessary material. 

I've completely fallen back in love with my No4.  This is an absolute match made in heaven. 

 

[rljatl]

Yep, I did the same thing with a vintage Bedrock no. 5 and a Bedrock no. 7.

Veritas makes replacement PMV-11 blades and chip breakers specifically sized for vintage Stanley planes.

PMV-11 Replacement Plane Blades

 

[Cheese]

Here's some interesting info on PM-V11. The testing section is especially intense if you're data driven.
http://www.pm-v11.com/Story.aspx

 

[GoingMyWay]

Thanks for the sharing that link.  I recently bought the Veritas Scrub Plane and opted for the PMV-11 blade upgrade.  I didn't know anything about the blade, but it seemed like a good idea to upgrade.  I haven't used the plane yet, but it sounds like it will be a pleasure to use.

 

[derekcohen]

I have PM-V11 blades in my LN #3 and LN #4 1/2.

Note that they must be used with the LN chipbreaker (not the Veritas, which will not work in the LN).

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Cheese]

I have PM-V11 blades in my LN #3 and LN #4 1/2.

Hey Derek I also have the #3 & #4 1/2, will the Veritas blades directly fit the LN planes, or did you have to modify them?

 

[derekcohen]

No modification needed. Note that these are the "Stanley replacement" blades, so they are thinner. But that does not make a difference. You will need to move the frog forward a little to close up the mouth, if you like it that way. I use a closed up chipbreaker, and the mouth then needs to be slightly wider than if the chipbreaker was not used (otherwise the chipbreaker will close off the mouth).

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[RKA]

Thanks [member=4358]derekcohen[/member] !  I had no idea!  I see they have blades for the stanley block planes too, I wonder if the same swap can by done into the LN planes?  LV page linked below in case anyone else is having trouble finding them on LV's site.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=70671&cat=1,230,41182,43698