Thread: Restoring planes

Worth restoring? Nah, they're rubbish, send them to me and I'll dispose of them properly...

Not a bad start for $5.......


The 'ribbed base' on the 4 1/2 is known as corrugated. Not a very rare thing but not that common either.

I started off 'restoring' handplanes using wet n dry sandpaper and light oil, it's the most labor intensive method but it's almost impossible to stuff up, even I didn't.
This then progressed to chemicals...molasses bath. I've been umming and ahhing about a electrolosis set-up and it's in the roundtoit file...

Shame about the handle on the wood bodied plane but there are still plenty about and you might find another plane to get a handle off.

There are people that can sell you replacement handles for the steel planes......I've repaired damage like the #6 has on the rear handle (tote) and it came up alright.

Then there's sharpening and fettling......which isn't addictive....not at all.

Slippery slope!

There's lots of posts here on this kind of work. Otherwise google 'plane rehab restore fettle tune flatten' and you'll be deluged.

Here's a start: Jim Davey - Planes and Sharpening - PLANE FETTLING

For 2nd hand Stanley knobs google 'tool exchange'.

A good score. They are worth a bit of work and should make fine workers. Not sure on the wooden ones. Depends if the wood is still sound. If that is the case keep the blades and down the track have a go at making wood planes.
Regards
John

Here's the link to Tool Exchange. I would also check eBay.

Thanks for the replies - I didn't realise it was such a 'science' and there was so much information out there on planes - a lot of collectors as well.

I'm not a collector and have no use for the wooden planes - I know if I put them in the shed they will still be there covered in dust and unused 20 years from now.
I'm happy to give them to someone that collects or will restore them.
If someone want's them - let me know.

Hey there Nuggerto.

Blackapple do good new totes and knobs Blackapple Toolworks

Major Panic gives a great demo of a major restoration. Hand Plane Restoration PAGE 1

The Traditional Tools Group run regular workshops on plane tuning. Check out their site at The Traditional Tools Group (Inc.) and plan your next trip to Sydney around it!

Good luck and my condolences too. Once the bug has bitten it is is very difficult to recover.

Cheers,
Virgil.
PS don't forget to post pictures of the finished product!

It's a bit like owning a dog! You've taken the planes into your house and now they take looking after ? Go for it , Bathe them, Fettel them, Invest in a few sharpening stones and give them names like Kevin & Barbara. You'll get planes off the internet/tool stores that take a lot less effort but it's not like having a plane with a bit of character. Go for it ?

Originally Posted by Nuggerto

Thanks for the replies - I didn't realise it was such a 'science' and there was so much information out there on planes - a lot of collectors as well.

I'm not a collector and have no use for the wooden planes - I know if I put them in the shed they will still be there covered in dust and unused 20 years from now.
I'm happy to give them to someone that collects or will restore them.
If someone want's them - let me know.

Give them a feed of linseed oil so they don't get worse.
Cheers,
Jim