Bridge City Tool Works - CT-8 - 20º Precision Block Plane (#1101-147) + Case

Description

Bridge City Tool Works - CT-8 - 20º Precision Block Plane (#1101-147) + Wood Case (#1101
-147C)
Condition is "New."  Shipped with UPS.
This plane is numbered #1267.  The photos are the actual item for sale.
I am selling all of my BCTW tools as I am downsizing.  All of the tools have been stored in an air-conditioned home while I have owned them.  Some may have tarnish on the brass, which is easily removed.  However, I will leave tarnish removal to the seller as some prefer the natural look of tarnish and some prefer to remove it with polish.
BCTW Website Description:
Quick Overview
In many shops, a block plane is the most versatileplane. Unlike the specialty uses of a low angle block plane, a 20-degree blockplane can be used for a much wider range of planing needs. A properly tuned andsharp block plane will suffice for all applications where your stock size isproportionate to the plane sole.
ProductDescription
Any cutting edge is the intersection of two planes.These two surfaces in a plane iron are the back of the iron and the bevel. Thefive factors impacting sharpness are: the material to be cut, the metallurgy ofthe plane iron, the temper of the tool steel, the surface quality of theintersecting planes and the intelligence of the user. Four of these fivecriteria have been addressed with this plane iron....
The precision ground, A-2 tool steel plane iron ofthe CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane is cryogenically tempered and will keep arazor edge much longer than traditional tool steels. (Cryogenic tempering is asupplemental process to heat/quench tempering where tool steel is cooled below-300 degrees Fahrenheit in liquid nitrogen for several hours, which completelyand thoroughly alters the molecular structure of the steel. The results aredramatic! The fine grain structure of the metal allows for extremely sharpedges that stay sharp much longer than traditional processes.) After tempering,the back is lapped. This mirror surface will never need to be visited forsharpening! The primary bevel is ground to 25 degrees and a final 30-degreemicro-bevel is achieved with an 8000-grit water stone.
Beginning with a solid blank of stainless steel, theinterior bosses of the tool are precisely CNC milled. The throat is completelyadjustable allowing you to tailor the tool to your needs. The last machining stepis grinding. The CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane will need no assistance fromyou to be true. We believe the CT-7 and CT-8 are the only planes with stainlesssteel soles for a very good reason, this material is very difficult to work,the results however are well worth the effort.
The solid brass sides of the CT-8 20° PrecisionBlock Plane are joined to the sole with an interlocking double dovetail joint.This joint is difficult and time consuming and equally difficult to figure out.Most of you will wonder how we got this tool together—both exposed surfaces ofthe joint are dovetailed! After assembly, the sides are ground square to thesole, so the CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane can be used on it’s side to shootan edge.
The iron of the CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane isadjusted by a stainless steel, 40 threads per inch lead screw (identical to amicrometer) mechanism. One full revolution moves the blade forward .025",however because of the 20 degree blade pitch, actual edge advancement is .009"per revolution. With one-quarter turn of the adjustment knob, you advance thecutting edge 0.00225" which is less than the thickness of a human hair!Finally, the blade adjustment shaft exits through a brass-bushing inset into awooden infill.
Lateral adjustments are done manually by canting theundersized blade either left or right. (It is important when honing to keepyour fresh edge square to the sides. This is a precision tool and will not cutsquare if you are not reasonably close in your sharpening techniques.)
Investment cast from silicon brass, this gorgeousstudy of motion and functionality is the key visual element of the tool. Theradial knurls of the locking wheel create a contrasting visual feast and afunctional mechanism for securing the blade to the body of the tool. Theportion of the cap in contact with the blade is milled, insuring a light-tightseam that eliminates chatter and keeps the razor edge rigid to withstand theforces of cutting.
Functionality was the driving criteria for thisplane design. The front knob is smooth to the touch and can be used as a fingerrest for one-handed use or as a knob for two-handed applications. It alsoserves as the lock for the adjustable throat. The curvature of the handleallows hands of all sizes to comfortably use this tool without compromises. Thesides are free of intersecting protrusions allowing either to be a referencefor side cutting applications. The rosewood or ebony infills are a unique finaltouch.
ProductSpecifications
Overall Length:
6-1/2"
Width:
1-1/2"
Cutting Edge:
1-1/4"
Overall Height:
2-1/2"
Story
Each year we introduce a very special commemorativetool exclusively to our Tool Club members—never to be made again.
The CT-8 20-Degree plane was produced in2000.
In many shops, a block plane is the most versatileplane. Unlike the specialty uses of a low angle block plane, a 20-degree blockplane can be used for a much wider range of planing needs. A properly tuned andsharp block plane will suffice for all applications where your stock size isproportionate to the plane sole.
Any cutting edge is the intersection of two planes.These two surfaces in a plane iron are the back of the iron and the bevel. Thefive factors impacting sharpness are: the material to be cut, the metallurgy ofthe plane iron, the temper of the tool steel, the surface quality of theintersecting planes and the intelligence of the user. Four of these fivecriteria have been addressed with this plane iron....
The precision ground, A-2 tool steel plane iron ofthe CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane is cryogenically tempered and will keep arazor edge much longer than traditional tool steels. (Cryogenic tempering is asupplemental process to heat/quench tempering where tool steel is cooled below-300 degrees Fahrenheit in liquid nitrogen for several hours, which completelyand thoroughly alters the molecular structure of the steel. The results aredramatic! The fine grain structure of the metal allows for extremely sharpedges that stay sharp much longer than traditional processes.) After tempering,the back is lapped. This mirror surface will never need to be visited forsharpening! The primary bevel is ground to 25 degrees and a final 30-degreemicro-bevel is achieved with an 8000-grit water stone. This plane iron is readyout of the box.
Beginning with a solid blank of stainless steel, theinterior bosses of the tool are precisely CNC milled. The throat is completelyadjustable allowing you to tailor the tool to your needs. The last machiningstep is grinding. The CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane will need no assistancefrom you to be true. We believe the CT-7 and CT-8 are the only planes withstainless steel soles for a very good reason, this material is very difficultto work, the results however are well worth the effort.
The solid brass sides of the CT-8 20° PrecisionBlock Plane are joined to the sole with an interlocking double dovetail joint.This joint is difficult and time consuming and equally difficult to figure out.Most of you will wonder how we got this tool together—both exposed surfaces ofthe joint are dovetailed! After assembly, the sides are ground square to thesole, so the CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane can be used on it’s side to shootan edge.
The iron of the CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane isadjusted by a stainless steel, 40 threads per inch lead screw (identical to amicrometer) mechanism. One full revolution moves the blade forward .025",however because of the 20 degree blade pitch, actual edge advancement is.009" per revolution. With one-quarter turn of the adjustment knob, youadvance the cutting edge 0.00225" which is less than the thickness of ahuman hair! Finally, the blade adjustment shaft exits through a brass-bushinginset into a wooden infill. It is strikingly handsome!
Lateral adjustments are done manually by canting theundersized blade either left or right. (It is important when honing to keepyour fresh edge square to the sides. This is a precision tool and will not cutsquare if you are not reasonably close in your sharpening techniques.)
Investment cast from silicon brass, this gorgeousstudy of motion and functionality is the key visual element of the tool. Theradial knurls of the locking wheel create a contrasting visual feast and afunctional mechanism for securing the blade to the body of the tool. Theportion of the cap in contact with the blade is milled, insuring a light-tightseam that eliminates chatter and keeps the razor edge rigid to withstand theforces of cutting.
Functionality was the driving criteria for this planedesign. The front knob is smooth to the touch and can be used as a finger restfor one-handed use or as a knob for two-handed applications. It also serves asthe lock for the adjustable throat. The curvature of the handle allows hands ofall sizes to comfortably use this tool without compromises. The sides are freeof intersecting protrusions allowing either to be a reference for side cuttingapplications. The rosewood or ebony infills are a unique final touch.
The CT-8 20° Precision Block Plane has an overalllength of 6-1/2" , width is approximately 1-1/2" and the cutting edgeis approximately 1-1/4". Overall height is just over 2-1/2". A20-degree block plane is the perfect tool for planing hardwoods or softwoodsand is the most used plane in your shop. This extraordinary plane is sure tobecome one of your favorite tools and is a perfect companion to the CT-7 LowAngle Block Plane!