first stanley no4 almost finished!

[rocksteadyeddy]

Just thought I'd post a couple of pics of the no4 I've been messing around with off and on for the past few months.

It was bought for my father by my grandad back in the 70's and I don't think he hardly ever used it and over the years it gathered more and more rust and decay!

It was in a pretty sad state when I managed to rescue it from his shed unfortunately I neglected to take any pics so no before shots I'm afraid! #-o

There was a lot of rust on the sole, the paint was flaking and the tote was cracked so a complete overhaul was in order.

sorry the pictures aren't great.... bit blurry

The handles were made out of some odd bits of maple (which you can clearly see the join on the front knob :roll: ) and I gave them a few coats of satin poly. I used hi temp paint after stripping and gave everything else a good buff!

It still needs a bit of tweaking, the frog needs adjusting a bit, but I'm generally happy with how its turned out for my first attempt!
Just need a nice jap blade for it now!

Cheers edd!

Oh and i've foolishly started a no 7 as well! :roll:

 

[jimi43]

I like that...I like that a LOT!

The things I like are the massive contrast in tones between the maple...the superbly chosen HTP and the buffed steel.

I am not sure about the front knob. Beautifully made but I think a low profile one (as the very first) would be better. There is no harm in whittling another one (which you are clearly expert at)...which will allow you to forget the join...(always assuming you have more scrap).

Put the new one on and see.

This is very much constructive critique...the rear handle is just perfect....much better than my first attempt and more inspiration to get mine for the wood just right.

The most impressive thing for me is the break from tradition with the high temp paint. I REALLY works! Bravo for thinking out of the box....very brave and successful! I hope it can stand the test of time..I think it will.

Cheers mate...brilliant job!

Jim

 

[stoatyboy]

Very very tasty indeed - but agree about the front knob - have you got extra large hands or something?

 

[rocksteadyeddy]

Thanks for your kind comments!..... I'm blushing!

The front knob is indeed hanging in the balance as its design came about more by chance, origanaly I was going for a flatter more slick top (is this what you mean by low profile jim?).
I would like to try and find a chunkier bit of wood to start from and do it all in one piece.

I made it with a little router lathe box I made up out of scrap mdf, and it just sort of ended up like that. I was in two minds as to bin it but in all honesty its quite comfy and the design sort of grew on me! (being a bit different from the norm!).

It's not actually any bigger than the old knob I took off, just slimmer up the middle, so as far as I can tell my hands are a pretty average size! :lol:

 

[Max Power]

Beautiful job, and its you thats using it ,if the front knob is comfortable then leave it alone. Comfort beats looks everytime :lol: :lol:

 

[bugbear]

Mushroom style front knobs also have some "history", as well as the "low knob" being alluded to.

Discussed on OLDTOOLS:

http://swingleydev.com/archive/get.php? ... t_thread=1

Lee Valley knobs are notably mushroom-oid, and Robert Wearing used this shape.

BugBear

 

[head clansman]

hi
nice handles, very different , I like the rear one more so than the front , but even then i don't like the straight hand grip it has , been better with the normal style curves imho, however having said that, I love the top of the rear handle just a tiny flip up , really nice touch , colour well hmm it,s a personal choice i suppose, cant help but think some nice rose wood with that high polish buff you gave it phew, don't get me wrong the whole plane has been refurbed very very nicely. Now the bug has bitten what you got in the pipeline next :?: . hc :lol:

 

[Racers]

Hi, Edd

Looking good! did you have to sand off all the chrome from the lever cap?
I had to on an old record No5.


Pete

 

[rocksteadyeddy]

Now the bug has bitten what you got in the pipeline next . hc

I got a No7 in an equally sad state from a lady I did some work for, it belonged to her late husband who was an avid woodworker.

I have made a start on it but its taking an age to get the sole etc anywhere half decent, it was pretty rough (which if I went out to buy one would probably have been discounted) but I like the fact that these tools can have a history!
So eventually that will have the same treatment.
Will try and take a few pics as I go along this time.

With regards to the lever cap Pete... yes it was in a right state and I thought I'd see what it looks like. I used a fine grit on my belt sander with mind to hand finishing it to a shine but after doing it decided I quite liked the brushed steel look contrast!

Thanks again for all your comments

Cheers Edd.

 

[dannykaye]

I have made a start on it but its taking an age to get the sole etc anywhere half decent, it was pretty rough (which if I went out to buy one would probably have been discounted) but I like the fact that these tools can have a history!

Ray at the old tool shop will skim a plane sole flat for you if you ask ...

 

[rocksteadyeddy]

Thats interesting to know :-k thanks dannykaye

Do you happen to know what sort of money he charges?
Postage might make it expensive unless he local to the south!

Cheers Edd

 

[MickCheese]

The Old Tool Store
Whitehaven Farm
Boston Road
Horncastle
Lincolnshire
LN9 6HU

Is this the one?

 

[pedder]

I do like the shape of the tote and the colour combination. Very classy!

Cheers Pedder

 

[Benchwayze]

Nice Job Eddy.

I'm in the 'Not sure about the front tote' club, but that's personal preference.

So, otherwise well done.


John

 

[dannykaye]

Thats interesting to know :-k thanks dannykaye

Do you happen to know what sort of money he charges?
Postage might make it expensive unless he local to the south!

Cheers Edd

he is in Lincolnshire somewhere, Ray Iles sells a load of tools and phoning him is a really interesting experience that can take a long time and cost a lot of money

http://www.oldtools.free-online.co.uk/

 

[GraemeD]

I spoke to Ray only last week on this very subject, as I am planning to stop by this next week with a No 5 1/2 and a No 6 which could do with flattening. He charges £17.50 for the sole, and £7.50 for the sides (for a cosmetic skim) or £12.50 for the sides if you want them at 90 degrees for shooting purposes. Prices may be lower for smaller planes, or higher for bigger ones....it seemed to depend on the plane model. Said he'd do mine whilst I waited, so that could be an interesting experience in itself!

Cheers
Graeme