Starting line up

[kent wardecke]

Well a few weeks and $80 and I have a little pile of tools. The chisel are pexco Buck Bros Ohio tool and a 720. They look like they need some work. I don't know how to sharpen them and I don't really know how to use them correctly.
The planes are a type 9 Bailey #5 a Sargeant made Craftsman and a newer block plane. I have a WTB in the classifieds for some better block planes but no takers. Oh well I don't really know how to use the planes either.
I'm here to learn. I'm not a Neanderthal and I have no desire to hand plane 200bdft of walnut, I have a machine for that. But knowing how to use hand tools will make me a better wood worker

[Bill McDermott]

Hey Kent. Welcome.
Keep your eye open for hand tool woodworking events near you. Taking expertly tuned tools for a test drive is a great way to understand what they can and should do.

[Jim Koepke]

Howdy Kent,

There is some useful information in the archive:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?103805-Neanderthal-wisdom-FAQs

There is a post of mine there, Getting Started With Hand Planes you may find helpful:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?148076-Getting-Started-With-Hand-Planes

As to sharpening, where to start?

Maybe knowing what equipment you have to work with would be the best place to start.

Do you have a grinder or any sharpening stones?

If you are in the Pacific Northwest send me a note if you would like to get together and test drive a few different sharpening options. Otherwise you may live near others who are just as willing to help someone get started on their journey to sharpness.

The chisels you mentioned are likely all high carbon steel. This has advantages and disadvantages depending on whose opinion one listens to. One advantage is they can take a lower sharpening angle which is great for paring. One disadvantage is the edge doesn't hold up for as long as some of the modern steels.

My bevel angle preference for paring is about 20-25º and 30º or a little more for chopping.

Lie-Nielsen has tool events regularly, here is where to check to see if there will be one near you:

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/hand-tool-events

jtk

[Patrick McCarthy]

Where you located? There are many here who might be willing to have you visit their shop and give you a few pointers. You won't find a nicer group of people willing to share.
Welcome, Patrick

[kent wardecke]

369549369550
I'm in Dayton OH
I couldn't get the pictures to load from my phone.
That poor Stanley 720 (second from bottom) it's a paring chisel and someone pounded it into a mushroom shape >:-( I need to take care of that rust right away. $20 total on the chisels.
I bought The Stanley #5 on EBay ($35+$15) it had received the paint can treatment. It had so much paint loaded on you couldn't see the patent numbers. I soaked it in lacquer thinner and cleaned it with a toothbrush. some of the parts are rough but there's no pitting on the bed. The Craftsman is a Sargent 409 I think, $10 at the flea market

[Robert Hazelwood]

Those look like pretty nice tools. Nice job cleaning up the #5. That block plane is similar to one I have...it's not so bad, you can get work done with it.

I would look at getting something flat that you can stick some 80 or 100 grit sandpaper to to get blade backs flat and clean and free of pitting. It's the best way to go, in my opinion, for old tools. I like the granite surface plates, they are pretty inexpensive nowadays.

Some decent sharpening stones, a little practice, and you'll be on your way.

[steven c newman]

About an hours drive from my house? I am up north in Bellefontaine, OH. You are welcome to come up this weekend and try a few planes out in the Dungeon Shop..even bring along your planes, and we'll get them working.

[angus macdonald]

Hey Kent, I could have written your post. Thank you for it. I am a first time poster and a power tool wood worker also, but have now been taken up with hand tools and the fascinating world of hand planes in particular, actually addicted to the genealogy of the planes and now wanting to learn to use one. It all started with a small, no-name plane my late father gave to me when he was living. I had it on a shelf in my shop for about ten years but decided to clean it up and research its origins this past summer. I now have about 10 planes to work on for this winter, no laughing, as I know a lot for a beginner but I also just retired so will have plenty of time for it. In any case most of my internet time of late has been learning about planes and plane restoration...the forums have been most enjoyable to me!
BTW I never pinpointed the make of my fathers plane, I am thinking it was a Sears catalogue product from the 50's or 60's

[angus macdonald]

And oh yes, forgot to add my thank you to Jim K. for posting the information links

[Jim Koepke]

And oh yes, forgot to add my thank you to Jim K. for posting the information links

Howdy Angus you are welcome and welcome to the Creek.

Kent,

Here is a post of mine on restoring a mushroomed socket:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?245479-Rehabbing-an-Old-Chisel

If the mushrooming doesn't affect too much of the socket it might be just as good to file it off.

jtk

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Kent, take Steven up on his offer, he is very good at what he does. I have brought tools hand planes there as well. Of course, if you want to wander out to Columbus, I can throw those things onto my Tormek making it easy to free hand sharpen them for a bit. No comment on flattening the backs since that can take some time. Steven is probably more efficient at that than I, but I am happy to help you there as well as needed; but it is a long drive for you.

Same goes for you Angus, but I have no idea where you live.

[Mark Stutz]

The best thing you can do as a neophyte Neanderthal, is to visit with someone who has well tuned planes. Using them will really open your eyes to the possibilities, and let you know what to strive for. Second best is one of the LN or other hand tool shows that are around. Usually LV is at the Woodworking Shows, though I haven't seen LN there recently.

[angus macdonald]

Thanks Kent, I am in Nova Scotia, so a bit of a distance, haha But I like the idea of connecting with someone who has an experienced hand at .working with these tools and hand planes. I don't know what the appetite is in my area.

[angus macdonald]

Should of said thank you Andrew, sorry there

[kent wardecke]

I'll have to take you up on that offer this fall

[steven c newman]

I just picked up four planes to rehab, and a saw, this morning..
369627
One steel, one iron,and..
369628
A pair of "Goldenberg" woodies.....1-5/8 wide irons....the saw?
369629
26" long, 8ppi, skew back crosscut, by Richardson Bros.
369630
$9 total for the morning....

[steven c newman]

As for that #900 Milllers Falls plane...
369672
Rear handle has been repaired..
369673
Iron has been sharpened, flat on the back, chipbreaker mated to the iron. Edge has a bit too much camber, will correct on the next sharpening.
The little block plane..
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Was unable to remove any of the knobs....rest of the plane cleaned and the blade sharpened...
369675
Sole is flat enough, for a block plane..
369676
And, it do make shavings....