Restoring Stanley #8, part 1 (w/pics)

[David Eisan]

Hello everyone,

I had been looking for an old Stanley #8 for a couple of years but I could not find one I could afford, or if I could aford it, it was a total piece of scrap. I was cruising Ebay last week and I saw one here in Canada for sale, it looked pretty tough, but it was all there. For $118 CDN (to my door) I had a real Stanley # 8, type 11 (1910-1918). In the photos, it does look bad, but it is all there, just needs a little, *ahem*, work. The blade is a total write off, but I already picked up a new #8 Hock for under $20. I couldn't find a big enough plastic container around the house to de-rust the plane in, so some scrap plywood and plastic to the rescue for a makeshift electrolysis tank. The handles are in a glass jar with lacquer thinner being stripped, 80 years of sweaty palms makes for some ugly dirty lacquer thinner.

http://www.federatedtool.com/david/img/8-1.jpg

http://www.federatedtool.com/david/img/8-2.jpg

http://www.federatedtool.com/david/img/8-3.jpg

I cannot wait for a few days to pass when I can take it out of the tank and clean it off to see how it really looks.

Take care,

David.

Every neighbourhood has one, in mine, I'm him.

[Tyler Howell]

Way cool Dave.:cool:

An old #8 is on my list. Looking forward to more reports,

[Bud Duffy]

David how does that tank thingy work ,just water and a battery charger or somthing more tricky? I hadnt seen anything like that before. Bud

[Steve Clardy]

Yes. Tell us more on the rust removal. What kind of solution do you use? etc. etc.
Very interested.

[Mark Stutz]

David,
Your tank looks very nice. I used a disposable plastic wallpaper tray--the kind you soak the prepasted paper in. There usually $2 to $3 and work great. Thought I had a picture but can't find it now.

Steve,
A search on elecrolysis here will give you all the info you need. It's really a simple process...even I figured it out after a while! :D Just a word of caution as you venture into Neanderland. Planes are only the tip of the iceberg. Soon you'll be rehabbing old chisels, looking for old saws, dusting off the brace and bits, looking for spokeshaves...it won't end! :eek: :D

Mark

[Steve Clardy]

David,
Your tank looks very nice. I used a disposable plastic wallpaper tray--the kind you soak the prepasted paper in. There usually $2 to $3 and work great. Thought I had a picture but can't find it now.

Steve,
A search on elecrolysis here will give you all the info you need. It's really a simple process...even I figured it out after a while! :D Just a word of caution as you venture into Neanderland. Planes are only the tip of the iceberg. Soon you'll be rehabbing old chisels, looking for old saws, dusting off the brace and bits, looking for spokeshaves...it won't end! :eek: :D

Mark Thanks. I'll do a little searching on it.
Seems I have fell in to the deep pit on buying planes lately. I do this with different things.[ I have fifty some Snap-on belt buckles] When I go for something, there isn't any end in sight for a while.:eek:
I am not planning on doing a lot of refurbishing, just maybe some. [I hope]
I think I'll have Mr. Hatfield do most of the plane refurbing for me as He is really turning out some first class work.:D I think I'll stick mainly with the wood end of things.:)

[Brent Smith]

http://web.archive.org/web/20020817233726/http://users.interconnect.net/nlindsey/rusty2l/electrolysis/electrolysis.htm#Cleaning%20Rusty
This is a pretty good site on the procedure.I'm sorry if this link is not allowed, still getting my bearings on which links are ok and which are not
Brent

[Corvin Alstot]

I cannot wait for a few days to pass when I can take it out of the tank and clean it off to see how it really looks.
I would keep an eye on it if this is your first time using this procedure, I do not remember it taking a couple days. Although it should not harm it, the plane should only be "cleaned/de-rusted" the minimum time required. I would assume that if it was left in the solution for a very long time that it would eat into the metal.
Plus make sure your doing this in an open area or the room.
Best of luck,

Corvin

[Bud Duffy]

Thanks for the info guys! I was curios because i have an old plane that was my great grandfathers that has a nice patina that is like on old guns called browning instead of bluing if i remember right . I really like the look but some friends have commented on it as, "why do you let your plane get all rusty". I have looked at the rehab of planes by Terry but i think i like the old look better i do have some other things to try the electrolisis on tho. Here is a pic of the plane it is a Stanley #3 with groves on the bottom.