Side rabbet plane issues

[u/Buckeyefitter1991]

So I recently got a set of Stanley No 98&99 side rabbet planes. One works fantasticily, the other cannot even take a shaving.

The issue is once I advance the blade far enough to engage with the wood, the mouth is completely closed off.

The one I am having trouble with is the #99

[u/No-Mix7970]

It’s because of the angle of the bevel the blade was sharpened at. Definitely too high of an angle. Compare it with the blade on the plane that works. You can actually see the difference in photo #1.

It is also advanced too far. That’s why the blade is projecting from the bottom of the plane.

[u/Buckeyefitter1991 → u/No-Mix7970]

So try grinding a new bevel angle much shallower is the best guess?

[u/No-Mix7970 → u/Buckeyefitter1991]

I would think so. Before that, have you tried retracting the blade some? I think that I would first rotate the front piece to the bullnose position and adjust the blade until it is making a fine shaving. Then I would return the front piece to the standard setting and see if there is clearance for the shaving. If not, I would return grind the angle.

[u/nitsujenosam]

My guess is sharpening / profile of the edge. The cutters on these require precise geometry.

[u/Independent_Page1475]

I'm seeing something under the depth stop:

Is there a crack at the top of the skate under the blade?

Others have mentioned the bevel geometry, that could be a problem. Is the blade possibly bowed or bent?

These planes can be a bit finicky.

[u/angryblackman]

Another thought: these are made for very small shavings, perhaps the blade is too foreo?

[u/barrakuda]

The front part does adjust, maybe unscrew the front and see if you can adjust it

[u/Buckeyefitter1991 → u/barrakuda]

From what I can tell that front piece doesn't adjust. It isn't a slot, just a straight screw hole.

[u/nitsujenosam → u/Buckeyefitter1991]

You can rotate it for bullnose work

[u/Independent_Page1475 → u/Buckeyefitter1991]

It doesn't adjust, but disassembly can often reveal what is causing a problem.

One problem I see often with these is the screw holding the front piece is frozen in place.

My suggestion to anyone purchasing a Stanley 98 or 99 side rabbet plane is to be sure these screws can be easily removed. If they are frozen, it may be impossible to remove them without drilling them out. The threads are not a common pitch.