I think I know what you mean.

I bought a new Stanley #92 because I needed a plane for a project I was working on. It was bout $70 as compared with a LN at $129
or so. Lee Valley had not made their equivalent at the time. So, I bought what I thought was a decent plane and saved 50 or 60
bucks. Or did I?

Getting the plane home, it did a rather poor job. I took it apart, honed the blade and tried it again. Better, but not as good
as a L-N I had used previously.

Took it apart again and lapped the bottom plate. Now it was better, but I also had about three hours of work into it. Some like
the time to do something like that, but for me, it was just another chore. I'd rather utilize my time elsewhere. and I'm not on
the payroll at Stanley. My point is, if you are new especially, it is easy to get frustrated by a lack of top quality.

I later bought a Lee Valley LA block plane. Opened the box, made an adjustment on the blade and shaved some wood. That is the
way it should be.

Edwin, just WHERE did you buy a Stanley #92 for $70??? And, what year was that?

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/