Thread: new plane restoration project

Yes the blade for 4 1/2, 51/2, 6 and 7 (and lever cap and cap iron) are the same. You can pick these up quite easily from junk dealers. If you need to get them pronto, try Hans Brunner or Stu Minuskin (they charge a bit more, but they will deliver)

It looks like you have quite a bit to do to get the rust off and get it to the stage where you need a blade!

Good luck and show us somepictures as you go along.

cleaned it down with high pressure washer after dismantelling then placed it all in container with vinegar for 12 hours ( basically following major panics ideas) minus the handles

You will now need electrolysis to remove all the rust in the hard-to-get-at places.

Good pick up and its looking good but same as the major says, you will need electrolysis to remove all the rust. It's all explained on the majors website. And its easy and not expensive to do.

you mean i wasted $2 on vinegar ok well heres what happened after 12 hours in the vinegar. Ok you guys win ill get the battery charger out and see if it takes any more rust off not that theres much left any way

You will find that a lot of the japaning will come off with electrolysis - this is a good thing!

It means that there was rust under the japaning & if you had left it you might have ended up with a plane that was unsalvageable.

good point major panic i was thinking i would have to resort to sand blasting to get the remaining japaning off

Originally Posted by tanii51

you mean i wasted $2 on vinegar

No!

Depends on what it tastes like

Keep us informed..................on the Plane, pls.

we only have good vinegar down here(sent wife shopping for washing soda while im winery touring working)

*&^%$#@ look what happened when i was polishing the handle on the calico wheel at least its a clean break and i think some glue will save the day . Waiting for the paint to dry so i can start the assembly .hint dont expect to do the masking with a stubby in hand skin cuts easily with sharp objects

are you doing 'polishing the Tote' on a wheel

did a great job till it got away an hit the floor at high speed ( another lesson in life)

went to the flea market at pt adelaide and came home with a number 4 1/2 the same age (apr-19-10) a pity but i need the bits for this one so another tote not damaged is still being sandpapered and cap iron and lever cap still in progress .The lever cap isnt so pretty . apparently they were coated in gun metal type blue but at least its original and will be functional
pics :
1 iron before i started the cleanup with scotchbrite belt on multitool
2 just starting to remove the pits
3 part assemble to see what its going to look like ( note its still got the broken tote on )

well here it is all assembled just the back of the iron to flatten and then to the sharpening certainly looks better than the first pic
would love to hear some opinions on the lever cap .Should i leave it original ?or should i get a chrome plated one to make it look pretty??????