Stanley #54 Adjustable Mouth Problem

**OtakiriLad** · 24th June 2015, 02:53 PM

I am trying to restore a Stanley #54 and would like to remove the adjustable mouth so I can clean out the rust and dress the bed before reapplying a finish.

Unfortunately the mouth is held onto the body by a couple of pivot pins which need to be removed to take off the mouth. In the photo below you can see the pin holes do not go through the mouth preventing me from punching out the pins whereas the holes do go through on the mouth from a #53 which I am also refurbishing.

Adjustable Mouth.jpg

So the question is – how do I get the pins out? I am loath to drill a through hole as that would ruin the integrity of the shave. While I intend them to be ‘users’ I don’t want to adversely affect their future value.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

**elanjacobs** · 24th June 2015, 06:36 PM

No idea how to do it, but Patrick Leach might. His email is on his website http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html
He's a wealth of knowledge on all things Stanley.

**camoz** · 25th June 2015, 10:56 AM

I can't help with how to do this without drilling (being such a small pin), and would be interested in hearing if you do find a different solution. If it was just a matter of rust removal, then I would go with electrolysis.

cheers,

Camo

**LorenzoJose** · 26th June 2015, 08:47 AM

Just use a citric acid solution.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Remo...h-Citric-Acid/

works ls very well with old Stanley hand planes I have restored.

you can usually find it at a pharmacy/chemist or a brewer's supply. They use it to clean and disinfect tanks.

last time I bought it was about $5 USD per pound in powdered form , which will do a lot of tools. I think you can also buy I. 2-3 oz packets for small jobs.

vinegar also works, but more slowly.

**OtakiriLad** · 26th June 2015, 03:36 PM

Problem solved!

Better eyes than my 67 year old versions and with a strong light there was seen to be a hint of the end of the pin on one side of the mouth. Tapping lightly with a hammer and nail confirmed this and the pin came out quite easily. Gently levering the mouth up until it cleared the body pivot casting allowed the mouth to be removed.

All is now good to go with cleaning and reassembly. Thanks for all comments and suggestions.

Cheers

**acowboy** · 6th August 2015, 12:55 AM

+ With Lorenzo,
Have done quite a few restores,
Lemon Juice or Citric Acid has now become my favorite solution to use.
I stay away from the use of vinegar..too aggressive on some vintage iron.

Seymour Smith & Sons Spokeshave B&A (Large).jpg

Was a simple 10 hour soak and cleaned up with soap and hot water.
You can re use the lemon juice, on the parts just make sure they are fully submerged.

Thread: Stanley #54 Adjustable Mouth Problem

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Stanley #54 Adjustable Mouth Problem

Similar Threads

Wooden plane mouth opening problem

Mouth too wide on Australian Stanley #4

Lie Nielsen Low Angle Adjustable Mouth Block Plane

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions