Thread: Plane restoration - the master speaks

You should be able to get it at most nut & bolt suppliers or even some places like Alltools

Just had another thought, even H&F might have it

Supercheap Auto and Autopro usually have it. They call it "layout blue"

Thanks DJT and Clinton. I will have a look there.

I just use a big, fat permanent blue marker pen. Works fine.

Originally Posted by Bodgy

I just use a big, fat permanent blue marker pen. Works fine.

Bodgy
That's what I have done in the past too.

But a couple of prjects that I have in mind will need proper marking out and my eyes aren't as good as they used to be at seeing scriber marks on steel, brass or aluminium.
Cheers

Jeremy

I think what Bodgy is saying is that he uses the marking pen in lieu of Prussian Blue. Colour in the bottom of your plane with it then slide it over a flat surface and the ink will be rubbed off the high spots.

Silent's right.

I should have expressed myself more clearly.

Just apply the ink, wait for it to dry, and then it performs sames as the Engineers Blues etc.

Impervious to most fluids. I use it routinely, for plane fettling (as per Silent's comments) and I blue the bevel on plane irons before the final water stone sharpening.

Soot from a candle works too - coat teh surface to be tested, and mate together. High spots will be bright metal.

Originally Posted by jmk89

Hopefully this thread will come up whenever someone searches on the forum for something to do with cleaning, fettling, restoring, rehabilitating or renovating metal planes. The link is to Bob Smalser's latest offering on the rehabilitation of a #5.
BTW does anyone know where to get the Prussian Blue layout paste or fluid that Bob mentions in this article? I also note that Jim Kingshott also mentioned that in his book on making and mending tools. It seems like useful stuff to have about the shop!

Go to a good auto or industrial supply house like blackwoods and ask for bearing blue .\
Repco ,or Supa cheap auto should have it also .