Wayne Hendrix
02-16-2010, 1:56 AM
The day after Jim Koepke wisely advised me to pass on an ebay Stanley #4 I picked up this Millers Falls No. 9 for $25 from the local classified listings.
I believe that it is a Type 3 and looks to be in excellent condition. The only issue that I could see under initial inspection was a loose tote which I correctly suspected was a loose screw.
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The mouth looks good and other than a couple moderately deep scratches behind the name and number on the right side and some paint on the sole the surfaces look good. The blade looks just fine other than needing to be ground and honed. I havent checked the sole or the blade for flatness. There is some rust on the blade and sole but theydont appear to be pitted.
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I took it apart and washed it with some dishsoap and a brush. That removed more than half of the rust and has it looking really good.
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I am probably going to let it soak in some citric acid to remove the rest of the rust and then tune it up. I am really excited. I have really been wanting a smoothing plane and this will be my first plane. Well technically second plane as I already have a Millers Falls No. 22 ($35) but that one needs more work and I really wanted to start learning to use hand planes with something smaller.
I believe that it is a Type 3 and looks to be in excellent condition. The only issue that I could see under initial inspection was a loose tote which I correctly suspected was a loose screw.
142242
The mouth looks good and other than a couple moderately deep scratches behind the name and number on the right side and some paint on the sole the surfaces look good. The blade looks just fine other than needing to be ground and honed. I havent checked the sole or the blade for flatness. There is some rust on the blade and sole but theydont appear to be pitted.
142243142244
I took it apart and washed it with some dishsoap and a brush. That removed more than half of the rust and has it looking really good.
142245142246
I am probably going to let it soak in some citric acid to remove the rest of the rust and then tune it up. I am really excited. I have really been wanting a smoothing plane and this will be my first plane. Well technically second plane as I already have a Millers Falls No. 22 ($35) but that one needs more work and I really wanted to start learning to use hand planes with something smaller.