Well, the weather is nicer outside, so I have started working on mild tool restoration projects, although much of it can be done on a desk inside.
One project is to clean up some old oil stones I bought on the auction site recently. They are mostly clogged some with old oil particles from the stone, particles from old chisels and plane irons, etc. Some are pretty clean and in good shape, some have moderate clogging. I've been soaking them in paint thinner and scrubbing on them with and old brush of the type used to clean vegetables. Among other things I am trying to soak some of the old honing oil out of the stones.
None of the stones are high dollar, they are mostly carborundum and India stones, although it looks like there is an Arkansas oil stone for pocket knives and 2X3 Arkansas stone with a medium side and fine side. I got quite a few in one lot from the auction site, there was not enough description to tell exactly what I was getting, but there were 3 slips that I wanted, and I though that surly there was a medium, a fine, and a coarse....nope. I am not sure, but it looks like 2 mediums and MAYBE a fine or 3 mediums.....not sure, but two are definitely mediums. I paid more than I should have ($42 including shipping), because there are too many duplicates, and duplicates of what I have already, but I did get a couple of 9" india stones, a 9" carborundum stone, an 8" India stone, 2 6" carborundum stones, 3 4" India slips, a broken carborundum slip, a couple of round stones for axes and hatchets, and a number of assorted small stones,18 stones in all and some soap stone. Only one of the stones is worn much, a 56" carborundum stone, the rest are in good shape, but do have some staining.
I was in the lumber yard today and looked at the price of a new 9" carborundum stone, and after that felt a lot better about what I paid. Anyway, am in the process of cleaning them up to be able to use them.
Also am in the process of restoring a #6 size Stanley plane, and on the downhill slope on it, just a little way to go. Currently I am in the process of putting paste wax on the body.
How bout you, anny tool restorations underway lately ?
Stew