Record block plane rescue

[Ron Petley]

I got this orphan for $10 and thinking it is not just spare parts, might just be wishful thinking.
I am thinking it should look more like this:
http://www.record-planes.com/record-no-015-block-plane

But it looks like this:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011489.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011488.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011486.jpg

I forgot to take a photo of the bottom but it is not bad, that is why I thought it is savable.
It has the shortest blade I have ever come across, must have been sharpened on a grinder, but that can be replaced.
I think I can make a new adjuster part, seems like the top has been ground down enough it does not connect to the blade.
I am wondering if it will work without the other part that seems to be missing, must be a lateral blade adjuster. Any thoughts? Do you think it is savable?
Cheers Ron.

[Bill Houghton]

the tradeoff for this kind of thing is always time vs. money. Block planes of that size aren't expensive on deBay or at garage sales; you could easily wind up saving $2 in total, restoring this, while putting in several hours of time.

Still, it's fun sometimes, and it always feels good to get an old tool in service again.

I don't know where you can get Record parts and am not sure if Stanley parts will fit. Record is now owned by Irwin; not sure if they're maintaining an old parts department, as Stanley, to its credit, has done somewhat.

The lateral adjustment lever is quite handy; I suppose you could get along without, but why? If you're going to put time into this, get the lateral adjust too.

Aftermarket irons make a big difference. I like the LV irons, because they come with flat backs; but a lot of people like Hock and other makers' irons (I've just never tried them, after hearing people say, "it only took me half an hour to flatten the back on my new iron" - I want an iron to come ready to hone).

Stanley parts is http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/. Their longtime tool goddess, Lori Goucher, was reachable in 2003 at lGoucher@stanleyworks.com. I don't know if that's current, or if she's even still there. But if she is, she might well know if Stanley parts will fit.

[Ron Petley]

Thanks Bill, I hear what you are saying i thought I would mess with it anyways and see if I can get it to work.
I have another record block plane and it does not have the lateral adjuster, but yes it would be nice to get all the parts. I will clean it up and follow up on your leads. Cheers Ron.

[Andrew Gibson]

I don't think you need a nut on the depth adjuster post. :)

I have a Millers falls Block that is basically a copy of yours. It belonged to my Fiance's Grandfateher. I found it in a ball of rust in her parents basement. After 2 days in Vineger it came back to a respectable state and got a coat of paint on the inside. The iron is way to far gone to salvage. I put the time into the plane because it is from family and one day my children may be glad that I brought it back from the brink and saved it for them. If not then at least I had a good time in the shop.