Stanley #7 Blade Change
Using my Stanley #7 plane last weekend to clean up the face frame for the new workbench, it became apparent that the blade must be chipped. This is not the first time that this has happened with this blade and it’s becoming clear that it must be something in the metallurgy.
A year ago I tucked away a Veritas PM11 blade and chip breaker and the time has arrived to install it. First, the plane bed needs to be modified to accept the larger width blade. A quick line with a straight edge and work with a file and in 10 minutes its ready to go.
Some of you will be asking my opinion of the PM 11 blades, and having them in one other plane for a couple of years I can say I have been happy with their performance. I have not used any blades apart form the original Stanley and the PM 11 so I cannot compare them to other newer manufacturers.
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orepass 
I’ve been happy with my PM-V11 blades. Sometimes you get chips in chisels or plane irons. Are you using a shallow angle, 25 or less? Planing knots? If so, it’s more likely a fact of life, not a metallurgical defect. Either way, you will be pleased with your new blades.
Great thoughts, my blade angle has crept towards 25.
I have the PM11 blades in both of my Veritas smoothers. They work well and seem to hold the edge quite well. I have stopped my furniture making and now just do turning;check out my Facebook page to see some of my work. My really good buddy, Greg Faber, passed away Nov 2017. His wife Judy sold their farm and moved to Connecticut I still live in the Memphis area and travel a fair amount to Woodturning symposiums, visit my grandkids in Ann Arbor and my 94 year old mother in Phoenix. And I still follow Paul Sellers and his growing empire.
Hope all is well with you and your family! Jeff Brann
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Great to hear from you, and thanks for letting me know about Greg’s passing. I’ve never done any wood turning, most likely scared of opening another rabbit hole to follow. I’m still a big fan of Paul Sellers and empire is the right word. Fascinating how his world has grown. Keep in touch, of all the places I travel I rarely make it to Memphis.
I have a corrugated bottom Stanley #7 that dates to the late 1800’s. Replaced (but kept) the original laminated Sweetheart blade and chip breaker with Ron Hock’s blade and chip breaker. Lucky for me, no modification needed but love using that plane on every project!