OK, how can a simple Stanley block plane just stop working? I mean, they aren't that complicated. But no matter how sharp the blade is or how many ways I adjust it, it just isn't cutting anything worth a crap. It's almost like the blade is lying too flat - not enough of an angle. But there isn't any way to adjust the angle that I can see.

I'm trying to plane the outside edges of two pieces of plywood to the same size and at best I get very, very skinny (like a mm) shavings and at worst it just slides over the wood and cuts nothing. If I stick the blade out far enough to actually cut, then there is no gap for the shavings to go through and they just jam up under the blade. I've adjusted and adjusted and adjusted and nothing seems to make any difference.

Any ideas? I'm stumped and frustrated.

Thanks,

Patsy