Thank you all for your past answers to my questions. I have learned a
lot reading these messages daily.

Question 1: I just bought my first set of planes of the bay and found
that I am missing the adjustment mechanism on the 220 block plane. The
thumb screw is there, but the part that contacts the blade (in the
slots) is missing. What a bummer. I was hoping to clean and sharpen it
last night. That is one definite drawback to not being able to handle /
examine the item before purchase. Live and learn. Is this part worth
pursuing at the present time, or should I just buy another and hope for
better luck next time. Does someone offer parts for sale?

I did get a nice wooden jack plane a ragged coffin smother and a wooden
rabbit plane all for under 20 bucks. So I am not complaining.

Question 2: Flattening a board. My method for identifying high spots is
to mist my reference surface and lay the board on the surface. The high
spots show by absorbing the water. Is this an ok method? It seems to
work well for me, but does not help the surface of my table saw (gift
from father in-law) which is the flattest item I could think to use.

Question 3: Tear out - planing some white oak. There were sections where
the grain seemed to change directions and my planed surface goes from
smooth to jagged. Is this more of an angle of the blade issue, wrong
plane, or ID10T error.

Question 4: Recommendations for wood that has nice properties and works
easy with hand tools. So far walnut is my favorite, but the dark color
is not appropriate for all applications. I have found that white oak is
too hard for my tastes, I also seem to like soft maple. Other options
other than pine or popular?

nebraska rod

short bio.

Born, raised, and rarely leave Nebraska. Biochemistry degree. Work as
computer programmer for insurance company (more $ and no microscopes -
that give me headaches). Been a amateur galoot for a while, but never
real good. This may be because of wrong tools, no training, or no
skills. My dad tells me it is because "Code jockeys" are not meant to
build things. Starting my first adult ed class tonight - it is power
tool based.

The appeal of hand tools has taken me because of the Zen like quietness
of the process, and that I can work at night without the misses telling
me to be quite. I am currently working on a toolbox to carry my hand
tools built with white oak and walnut. Thus far everything has been done
with hand tools including ripping the (hard as stone) white oak.

I have a special affinity for Japanese saws, methods, and hand planes.
Oh yes, I am 33 have a only 1 wife and 1 son (8) and live in Lincoln.
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