"Dan Cullimore" wrote in message
om...

My question is: can I repair this split with glue and use the plane
with confidence, or do I have a paperweight? This is my first woodie
(so to speak).

I built a wood plane from a kit by Hock Tools. It has a sole plate made of a
3/16" thick piece of Goncolo Alves. That stuff is tough as nails and glides
nicely. Part of the kit assembly included glueing the sole plate to the body
parts with regular wood glue. I used Titebond II. I also had to drill two
dowel holes to keep the plate from sliding around while gluing it. These
were centered between the sides of the plane and located about 1" in from
the front and rear of the plane respectively. Afterward, you have to trim
the mouth and flatten the sole using sandpaper on a flat surface as well as
trim the edges to fit the body. The plane is 11" long.

I think this would make a good approach for repairing your plane. Besides,
it will end up looking prettier with the bright orange sole plate.

Bob