On Wed, 08 Sep 2004 09:48:35 -0500, Australopithecus scobis
wrote:

Is this simply a fine-motor skill that I have to practice? Are the
lateral adjusters on "good" planes easier to set?

Get one of these - a Record Calvert-Stevens. Basically a Bailey #4
with a Norris adjuster on it.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MEWA:IT


As a related question, what tool would a machinist use to gauge the
parallelism of the face of the frog to the front of the mouth?

Eyeballs and a bright light. Never underestimate either well-lit
eyeballs, or touch.