Thread: Old plane question

Originally Posted by old_picker

This particular plane is an old stanley 8C. It is a long plane which i assume would be good for jointing and dressing boards.

On the heel it has a series of 13 or so grooves running down its length. My question is what are these for?

Stanley used the "C" to designate planes with corrugations in the sole. The idea was to reduce the friction created by the larger surface area on big planes. The 8c is a reasonably uncommon plane.

HELL :eek: picker thats a big chunk of plane, are you sure you wouldn't be better of with something a little shorter.
Just quietly an 8C in good nick should fetch a good price. Enough to fund a few more usefull planes.
what do you have at the moment.
cheers

Here's a nice 8C the price is going up though


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Originally Posted by Groggy

Stanley used the "C" to designate planes with corrugations in the sole. The idea was to reduce the friction created by the larger surface area on big planes. The 8c is a reasonably uncommon plane.

' friction' and ....suction ! ... I think the idea's similar to those new wonder type kitchen knives, that have series of holes running the length of the blade so that your tomato slices don't stick annoyingly to side of your knife... bit of trivia really.

G'day Old Picker,

Some months ago I acquired an old Stanley No8C on e-Bay. It wasn't in awful shape, but wasn't very good either. I can't recall what I paid, but think it was under $100. See (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ght=treasures), and then http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=21971 (bottom left, inside the cabinet)

Anyway, based on some advice received here, I used electrolysis to remove some rust, a brass rotary wire brush and a hand-held drill to remove the scaling japanning, etc, spent a few (!) hours flattening the sole and frog, obtained a new Lie Nielsen Australia (thanks David!) blade for the beast, plus a replacement tote from Hans Brunner, and finally some new enamel, plus a bit of elbow grease to smarten up the other bits 'n pieces.

Now a decent looking plane that can take skin from a bee's whatzit - all for about half the cost of a Lee Valley No6.

Cheers!

I'd be looking at a #4 #5 & a #6 or #7 and mybe a low angle block before I went chasing a #8 unless it was comming real cheap.
cheers

i have a 60's stanley #4 i rescued last week. I found it at the bottom of an old tool box covered in rust. I took to it with a file, rust remover, steel wool and emery paper and it came up pretty good. I have used it a few times already.

I remembered how to sharpen the blade and set it up from my form 1 wordwork classes in the early 60's. We did learn real good stuff at tech didn't we?? I pity you younger dudes who never got that basic hand skills learnin at school. I have used those lessons my whole life

The 8c is coming up tomorrow nite and is already up to $148.00 so i am gonna let that one go. As suggested a #5 or possibly a #6 would be much more appropriate.

If any knows of an old #5 at a good price let me know. I don't mind cleaning one up as long as it is rescuable.

I am hoping that eventually I can get my hands on a Stanley no. 8. My reasoning is that for me it is the pinacle of stanley planes. Bloody big and rare. Chances of using it regularly are high. My Dad has one sitting on his bench and we do use it alot. Nothing beats the no. 8 when it comes to jointing long boards and the feel of using 2 feet of plane is phenomal. Although if anyone offered me a Norris Jointer I wouldn't complain either.

Wood Butcher -

Do you think you old pa would notice a small teaspoon of cyanide stirred lovingly into his mug of tea?

Cheers,
GW

There used to be an Up Stairs website for the resteration of Stanleys.

Oh!!
Guess who else has an 8C

It's condition is "To be rejuvinated"

Originally Posted by Green Woodchips

Wood Butcher -

Do you think you old pa would notice a small teaspoon of cyanide stirred lovingly into his mug of tea?

Cheers,
GW

Have already made it very clear to the rest of the family that when the old boy dies, the no 8, the two no 7'2, the no 6............aw hell, all the his hand planes are mine and I will do almost anything to keep it that way

Originally Posted by old_picker

i have a 60's stanley #4 i rescued last week. I found it at the bottom of an old tool box covered in rust. I took to it with a file, rust remover, steel wool and emery paper and it came up pretty good. I have used it a few times already.

I remembered how to sharpen the blade and set it up from my form 1 wordwork classes in the early 60's. We did learn real good stuff at tech didn't we?? I pity you younger dudes who never got that basic hand skills learnin at school. I have used those lessons my whole life

The 8c is coming up tomorrow nite and is already up to $148.00 so i am gonna let that one go. As suggested a #5 or possibly a #6 would be much more appropriate.

If any knows of an old #5 at a good price let me know. I don't mind cleaning one up as long as it is rescuable.

Hi Picker I have a couple of 5's that I never use. But the limiting factor is I'm not in the country until Dec 18th. Maybe we organise something later, Just in time for Chrissy? Damien.