Frederick Skelly
05-26-2013, 5:42 PM
Like I said in yesterdays post, I bought a 20 yr old stanley that looks like a #4. Got that fettled last night. Not sure it was worth all the time required to flatten the sole and blade, but it takes decent shavings. Not as nice as my Miller Falls, but good enough for $20. Its practice and entertainment, at a minimum.
Now Im starting on the Sargent I bought at the antique store for $20. Its the same size as a Stanley #5. The cap says VBM, so it may have originally been a higher end tool. I just sanded the rust off of its aftermarket blade. Thats stamped Keen Cutter, E.C. Simmons, St Louis Mo. Now the bummer - looking at pics on the web, I think the frog is NOT Sargent. Looks more like a Union lateral adjuster. So the dealer may have cobbled this plane together from misc parts. The frog seems to fit ok, so Ill see what I can do with it. But Sam T's warning about there being an abundance of junk planes is running through my head. But Im learning what to watch for, and that too is worth a $20. Cheap lesson.
Anyone know whether that Keen Kutter is worth spending the time to sharpen? Its thick and flat. Likewise, is a Sargent frog worth buying or should I cut my losses and make due?
Ill keep you posted.
Fred
Now Im starting on the Sargent I bought at the antique store for $20. Its the same size as a Stanley #5. The cap says VBM, so it may have originally been a higher end tool. I just sanded the rust off of its aftermarket blade. Thats stamped Keen Cutter, E.C. Simmons, St Louis Mo. Now the bummer - looking at pics on the web, I think the frog is NOT Sargent. Looks more like a Union lateral adjuster. So the dealer may have cobbled this plane together from misc parts. The frog seems to fit ok, so Ill see what I can do with it. But Sam T's warning about there being an abundance of junk planes is running through my head. But Im learning what to watch for, and that too is worth a $20. Cheap lesson.
Anyone know whether that Keen Kutter is worth spending the time to sharpen? Its thick and flat. Likewise, is a Sargent frog worth buying or should I cut my losses and make due?
Ill keep you posted.
Fred