Al Breed replies: Frog – this controls the throat opening and carries the blade adjustment. Take it off, clean it and oil it. It should line up with the casting or be forward of the casting at the throat.
When planing, I always tip the plane very slightly on the return stroke so that the blade does not drag on the work. This dragging will quickly burnish over the edge and dull it. Take long strokes, starting at the end of the board and working back towards you. Put pressure on the front of the plane at the beginning of the stroke and on the back at the handle as you finish.
Most Importantly – The plane will never work out of the box no matter how much you paid for it. Blades always need to be sharpened and trued up and their corners rounded unless it’s a rabbet plane.