RALI Full-Size Hand Plane 220 Evolution

Instructions vague, but the Rali is quality, easy-to-use plane. It is easy to adjust and uses replaceable blades eliminating tedious sharpening and the need to master shortening a plane hired to a razor sharp edge. Rali planes are easy to adjust and use replaceable blades eliminating tedious sharpening in the need to master shortening a planer The two often over looked adjustments are the setback for the chipbreaker and the opening of the throat. While the throat opening is adjustable, my experience is to keep it set at the minimum opening. The chipbreaker setback is adjusted using the knerled roller. When making fine shavings, adjust the setback to be set approximately 1/32 of an inch. If you are doing heavy planing, adjust the setback to about 1/16 of an inch. The depth of cut is set using the lever. Sensitive, so make fine adjustments to achieve the desired cutting is sensitive, so make small adjustments to achieve the desired depth of cut. I also recommend lubricating the sole of the plane with paraffin wax to make planing much easier. The shape of the model 220 is similar to a European bitch play The shape of the model 220 is similar to a European bench plane. The model 260L is shaped more like an Amercan style plane and it uses the same replaceable blades as the model 220.

This plane is easy to set up and adjust. Even though there were no written instructions, (only picto-grams on the box) I was able to install the blade and tune it for fine shavings in a few minutes. The lever-adjustment mechanism is super fast and a bit "touchy." In other words, it takes some getting used-to. LN "plane snobs" can get off of their high-horses now. This is a production plane that works 95% as well as expensive boutique planes. No sharpening or tuning needed. It worked perfectly right out of the box. I got .002" shavings across the width of the blade in soft Pine and Seasoned Mahogany. A nice feature is the gentle rounding of the cheap replaceable blades which prevent plane-tracks on wide boards. The tool seems rugged enough. The only thing that looks slightly cheezy is the plastic adjustment lever. But the way it is designed, you can't put too much force on it. It simply will not go too far. Euro-style "horn-handle" is much easier to use and very comfortable. The blades are relatively inexpensive, so I am going to get spares. I definitely recommend this tool for carpenters that need a hassle-free, fast set-up plane for general woodworking. Replaceable blades mean you won't cry if you hit a nail or a staple. Just flip the blade and get back to work. You really can change the blade in about ten seconds. This is a great tool for those: who do not have great sharpening skills or expensive sharpening stones, are in a hurry or are just "plane" lazy. (sorry, I couldn't resist)Honestly... the tool works as advertised and was much better than I expected. I am very impressed. Also, I got excellent service from Advanced Machinery (the seller.) Communication was good and shipping was fast. Typically, I am somewhat of a tool-snob myself, so I am difficult to please, but this is one of those rare purchases where you get all your money's worth and more. I am going to buy other Rali planes.

The design is revolutionary, it addresses every issue I have had with using a hand planner. Someone really thought this one through. Five stars for quality and design. One star for quality control at the factory. It looks like it was dropped on some kind of sharp object. In the first photo, there is a big enough nick to cut you or put a gouge in your workpiece. In the second photo, there looks to be some kind of grinder nick on the bottom and in the last picture, it looks like someone tried to turn the handle with a pipe wrench for some unknown reason. I am not going to send it back, I will just have to hone the damage out of the metal parts and trim the wrench marks out with a knife. There again, maybe it would be good to send it back so management can see what kind of QC deparment they have.

The previous reviews match my experience: dead flat bottom, easy blade change, and effective.