Is this Chaplin 18 inch plane a worker or a keeper?

[Denis Morin]

Got this for $5 from a garage sale (inside the garage no less) from a genleman selling his father's tools. Biggest issue is the arc weld on the back of the handle. Line o the handle is caused by too shallow of a Evapo-rust bath. So is it worthy or do I repaint and give it to my brother as a working tool?

[david brum]

Hi Denis

So are the handles cast iron on this plane? If so, and taking the odd blade adjustment mechanism into account, I'd say you've got somethig unusual. I imagine it's pretty darn heavy as well. Have you tried sharpening the blade to see how it performs?

You might want to investigate why the handle was welded on, or even if the weld serves a purpose. Perhaps the screw which holds on the handle is stripped or missing? If not, you could easily grind the weld away to make it look prettier.

Fun plane. Might make a nice fore plane for flattening rough stock.

[Marty Paulus]

Dennis, You will get more input on the Neander forum with this question.