Thread: Stanley Bailey No5

If its in a really bad way you can go down to your local hardware store and buy a replacement lever cap, that'll be cheaper than going to an electroplater and having them remove and replate it. Cast iron won't keep a polish for very long.

clean up whatever you can on a wire wheel, remove all rust and then treat with autosol metal polish. It should remain rust free for months provided it is stored properly. Also after use, remove the bade and wipe the whole thing clean with some non silicon based water dispersant (works for me).

dont bother trying to remove the plating on a stanley, it is hard work. It is a little easier on a reallly old carter however )

zitan, routermaniac

Thanks for you replies. I get the picture. What I am curious about is the lever caps on other old Stanley planes without any plating on them. Are they cast iron as well? I have no intentions to replace the plater. I just wanted to keep as a metal lever cap. I think the rustic look is nicer.

Cheers
Sam

Yep, the old Stanley lever caps are plain cast iron with a matt/satin finish and is amazingly rust resistant. I guess it just depends how well you store it. I use a type 9 #5 sometimes which has never pitted though most of the Japanning is gone.