What do you reckon of my plane restoration?

**Eldanos of KDM** · 21st February 2009, 06:10 PM

I set the mountain of work I have aside for a day and a half to do up the Stanley 10 1/2 I got from my mate's Grandad. My mate loves the job I did.

I repaired the handle by first gluing it up in its correct position with 5 minute araldite, then cut it through with a fine saw so the join would be better. Then I used Urea formaldehyde to fixit together. Turned out nicely. In fact, If I do say so myself; It's a good enough job for neither me, nor any of my mates at the pub (yes I brought it to the pub) to be able to find the join. and I only lost about 1mm from the height of the handle.

I took the finish (or what was left of it) back and stained the red beech? with Wattyl Walnut.
I finished it with 6 coats of polyurethane.
I went and bought shellac, but decided against using it. I know that this would have been more original, but because of it's sentimental value meaning I'll never sell it, and the fact I'm going to use it, I figured the stronger finish would be better..

I spent hours upon hours bathing everything in rust killer and fine steel wool, being careful to not touch the japanning which is still probably 85% good.

Then I trued the blade and sides and sole with several sheets of 320G on glass, then 1200 on the same, then my waterstone.

Ground and honed blade then polished everything I could with brasso and had a beer.

What you reckon of the finished job?
More importantly, did I do everything right?? My first plane semi restoration and I'd like pointers to do a better job in the future...

Cheers guys.

**seanz** · 22nd February 2009, 09:55 AM

Well......what do people think?
There's some real restoration enthusiasts on this forum and it'd be nice if some of them would chime in.
I'd like to know what they think because Eldanos' restoration sounds a lot like what I do with my old Stanleys.
Couple of differences....
The really rusty ones get a molasses bath.
I use epoxy to repair handles.
I don't refinish the handles, just oil (penatrol or linseed) as I'm only doing a 'back to working condition' level of restoration. but those handles look so nice that maybe I'll start doing them.

I did use some red beech to repair a missing bit at the top of one of the handles....it doesn't match at all. Apparently Stanley plane handles are made from rosewood.

I think it's a good job.......show us a rebate.

**toolbagsPLUS** · 22nd February 2009, 10:54 AM

Well done Eldanos,

Looks terrific,

who's to say which is the right way or the wrong way, It looks far better than when you started and gives you pleasure and as you said you're not going to sell it, so enjoy it, for my vote you did well.

Cheers
Steve

**Eldanos of KDM** · 22nd February 2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by seanz

I did use some red beech to repair a missing bit at the top of one of the handles....it doesn't match at all. Apparently Stanley plane handles are made from rosewood.

I think it's a good job.......show us a rebate.

Cheers for the kind words Sean, I have carried it around with me for three days now, showing everyone. My girlfriend hates me.

FYI respectfully though, Rosewood handles in stanley were stopped sometime in the early 1940's I'm pretty sure. After that it was stained hardwood. People say it's not beech, but I'm pretty confident it's red beech. Well, not all that confident.

So you were using the right timber for your repair, just the wrong broken tote

**ac445ab** · 23rd February 2009, 08:00 AM

Hi

It appears to me a good restoration.
The handles are now very beautiful.
I would have used a coarser grit (150) for starting the job on sides and sole. This could help to have a faster and more accurate final result.
A very nice plane

Ciao,

Giuliano

**mpatman** · 25th February 2009, 08:57 AM

Nice work! Love the finish on the handles. I am restoring my first lot of 2nd hand stanley planes myself.

**Beefwood Pete** · 28th February 2009, 04:06 AM

Well done. Looks good there, Eldanos.

**Eldanos of KDM** · 28th February 2009, 03:11 PM

Thanks ac445ab, toolbags, mpatman and beefwood. I appreciate your kind words. It's become more of a jack plane for me at the moment. At least until the novelty wears off

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