weekend rust hunt

**orraloon** · 23rd August 2009, 06:37 PM

I am one of those people who cant pass a junk shop without checking things out. I could perhaps get aversion therapy but don't see the fun in it. Anyhoo had a find today.
A WS rebate plane in the box with all the parts. The blue paint had me thinking Record at first. There was virtually no clean up required and almost no rust. Looks like it was only used a time or two just enough to get a few nicks in the blade. There were some shavings in it when I first looked.
I reground the blade and had a try on a bit of blackbutt. Works well and the odd small rebate could be done by the time the router was set up.
From what I can find on the net they were early 1950s and made in Birmingham. I had not heard of WS before so if anyone has any other info I would be interested.
Regards
John

**jmk89** · 23rd August 2009, 07:01 PM

John

I don't know much more than what you have already discovered. I do know that they merged with another Brum firm called Woden and then I think they both folded. Their great contribution to the rebate/fillister plane is 2 rods and the front knob. I have one Woden and one WS and they are my "go to" rebate planes.

**munruben** · 24th August 2009, 09:31 AM

Might be this one.

Rebate Plane No. 778, 078
The No. 778 was produced by C & J Hampton from 1959 as a result of their acquisition of the "Woden" tool brand which was owned by "The Steel Nut & Joseph Hampton Ltd". Woden Tools were based at Wednesbury in Staffordshire and alongside their other products, manufactured a small range of woodworking planes which they in turn acquired from W.S.Tools, a company who were based in Birmingham. The 778 was manufactured in addition to the No. 078 Duplex rebate plane of similar design but had the improvement of a screw adjustable cutter and two fence arms. The No. 078 was manufactured from 1932 to 1972

**munruben** · 24th August 2009, 09:39 AM

Here is a pic of the 778

**jmk89** · 24th August 2009, 10:55 AM

If anyone is interested, I have a Woden booklet that came with their rebate plane. Happy to send the pdf to anyone who PMs me wit their email address.

PS I was wrong about Woden - they were from Wednesbury (but not too far from Brum)

**orraloon** · 24th August 2009, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the additional info guys. I guess they would have found it difficult to compete with Stanley and Record.
Jeremy, I would be interested in seeing that booklet. Sending a pm.
Regards
John

**Eldanos of KDM** · 24th August 2009, 10:58 PM

Love the wooden knob. Can it be moved to where the back blade is now when you want to use the front? Wish my carter or stanley had one!!

**orraloon** · 25th August 2009, 01:30 AM

I will have a look and get back on that.

**orraloon** · 25th August 2009, 05:23 PM

Yes the knob can be moved to the rear position.
It would reasonably easy to make a knob for this kind of plane as long as you have a screw with the right thread. Fits the hole for the main holding screw. Base is a 45* cut and screw hole drilled at 90* to base of knob.

**Eldanos of KDM** · 25th August 2009, 10:01 PM

That's cool. I might have to make one!

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