repairing grandads plane

[big soft moose]

now first up you'll have to bear with me as i know nowt about handtools (well at least not those used in fine woodworking). I'm basically a turner who occasionally makes furniture using as many powered tools as possible.

anyway My late grandad was a far better hand craftsman than what I am and i have recently found his plane in a box of junk. I'd like to fix it more because it was grandads rather than for any particular foreseen use.

However my lack of knowledge is a bit of a stumbling block - It is missing the blade and the thing that sits on top of it, I dont even know what sort it is (Until i joined UKW i didnt know there were different sorts )

its basically like this (cheers google) http://www.antiquemystique.com/images/5 ... 09_jpg.htm
so any thoughts on what I need or where to buy it would be appreciated

 

[thomvic]

The link doesn't work for me.

 

[big soft moose]

hmm - try this one

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur ... 09_jpg.htm
I did try to image it but that aint working

 

[wizer]

 

[big soft moose]

cheers wizer

anyway - its basically like that though the wood is less interesting on mine - and its missing the blade and the bit on top of it.

 

[Tom K]

Hi Moose, the wedge shaped bit is called umm... a wedge I think.
You could quite likely knock one up using a bit of that umm..woody stuff.
Think an offcut of the 'Fabled Corby Legs' would work well.
Sure someone else was making them but may have been on the other channel though.
I think the blades / cutters /irons are fairly universal you just need some rough sizes dimensions.
Good luck 'Heirloom' tools are special whatever they are.

Regards Tom

 

[Smudger]

Ray Iles will make you up a new cutter, if you can't find anything closer to hand.

 

[big soft moose]

an update to this thread - in finally sorting out my 'shop after the move i found a box that i thought contained chainsaw chains actually had the rest of grandads plane collection in the bottom

it appears that not only do i have the blade and the wedge for the block plane as above - but i also have a record no. 5 and a stanley number 4

the only problem is that both the latter are disassembled and the bits mixed up - which given that i know bugger all about planes may prove to be a bit of a problem.

I'll post some pics when i get a moment and hopefully you guys can help me work out what goes where.

there is a fair bit of surface rust but there doesnt appear to be any pitting so if i can get my hands on a 12v converter ( wanted on freecycle as we speak) then i'll set up an electrolytic de rusting tank which out to sort em out.

If i can get these back in battery that will take my plane collection to 5 (not counting the power planer) - not quite to waka's standard but probably enough to actually do something with them.

 

[laird]

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html Is a useful site for seeing how planes go back together.

 

[beech1948]

bif softmoose,

Your plane looks to be about 15-17 inches long which would make it a jack plane and not a block polane. Wooden block planes were about 5-6 inches long and coffin shape. Wooden jacks are fairly common and you should be able to find a replacement older blade from G&M tools or some such.

reegards
Alan

 

[AndyT]

Here are some tips on how to clean up your plane and use it - there's a lot more if you search back in this forum.

To get the dirt off and make it look nice but without removing the patina, use some coarse rag and turpentine (not White Spirit / Turps Substitute but the proper stuff). This will soften any paint splashes and bring back the wood to life.
For the blade, remove the rust with a wire brush or emery and sharpen with the method of your choice.

For your metal planes citric acid is easier than electrolysis - buy crystals from a home brewing supply and mix a tablespoon or so in a bucket of water. It dissolves the rust leaving a pleasant pale grey surface which you can leave as it is or buff up.

A bit of patience can bring you back in touch with the previous owners and the way they worked.

Andy

 

[OPJ]

Ray Iles will make you up a new cutter, if you can't find anything closer to hand.

I think Philly may be able to help as well...? :wink:

 

[big soft moose]

bif softmoose,

Your plane looks to be about 15-17 inches long which would make it a jack plane and not a block polane. Wooden block planes were about 5-6 inches long and coffin shape. Wooden jacks are fairly common and you should be able to find a replacement older blade from G&M tools or some such.

reegards
Alan

by that description you're probably right - mine is rectangular and about 14" long - but could you explain the difference (as in what they are used for) ?

for those who helped out on the cutter question i think i have found the original (at least i have three blades but only two other planes - working out which one it is on the other hand...)

I'll get some pics sorted tommorow hopefully

 

[Vann]

for those who helped out on the cutter question i think i have found the original (at least i have three blades but only two other planes - working out which one it is on the other hand...)

Hi BSM,

Excuse me if I'm teaching your grandmother to suck eggs, but I get the impression that you're not familiar with planes, so here are some basics to help sort the irons...

The iron (blade) for your Stanley No.4 will be 2" wide and have "Stanley" stamped at the top (possibly obscured by rust etc.). It'll have a slot down the middle with a "bulb" at the bottom of the slot. The cap iron is probably unmarked and similar to the Record one. Most likely the top of the cap iron will match the shape of the top of the iron (i.e. flat top with angled sides for an older one, more rounded for a newer one). The Stanley iron, cap iron and lever cap go on the "Bailey" base (but I'm sure you had that much figured out ).

The iron for the Record No.05 will be almost identical to the Stanley iron (eg 2" wide, etc), except that it will say "Record" on it if it's an older one (flat top, angled sides), but some of the newest ones are blank. Ditto with the cap irons (older ones marked "Record", newer ones blank) Chances are the Record and Stanley cap irons are interchangeable anyway so it may not matter if you get them mixed. The Record could have a "Stay-Set" cap iron which comes in two parts, which will at least make it obvious that it's the Record cap iron #-o ).

The Stanley and Record irons will be 1.6mm to 2.4mm (max.) thick.

My knowledge of wooden planes is limited to half-a-dozen irons I picked up recently, but the iron will be obvious. It'll be thicker than the other two (at least 3mm and possibly up to 5 or even 6mm) and have the makers emblem hot forged, not stamped, into the top. If it's got a slot at all, the "bulb' will be at the top of the slot, not at the bottom. If it does have a slot it will have a big thick cap iron to go with it, and a heavier cap screw. The cap iron will almost certainly have a brass insert where the cap screw threads into it. If by chance the iron doesn't have a slot, thats fine, it wasn't designed for a cap iron and all you need is the wooden wedge.

I hope that helps.

Cheers, Vann.