Roald Euller
05-20-2007, 5:48 PM
After lurking for many moons, here is my first real post to this forum (other than the occasional minor question).
I have read many posts here about rehabing old planes, so I finally took the plunge and purchased a Stanley #5 on ebay for $20. When it arrived, it was in a lot worse shape than I expected - handles loose and cracked, blade bent and very badly sharpened, plus of course much rust and pitting.
Undeterred, I soaked all the parts a vinegar solution over night, vigorously applied emory paper and steel wool, installed a new knob and tote, lapped and sharpened the cutter, cleaned and oiled all the threaded parts, and polished the brass. The result was a very reasonable user plane - at least to my relatively inexperienced eyes. Not perfect by any means, but I learned a lot, and it now produces some lovely shavings in soft pine.
My question is this: while I was working on the plane, I experienced a distinct sliding sensation, as though I was slipping down a slope. So, I decided to go inside and have a look at ebay where I found some nice looking #7s and #8s which I added to my watch list. Afterwards I felt much better. Is this something I should worry about?
(before and after pictures below)
http://www.rjeuller.com/images/woodworking/before.jpg
http://www.rjeuller.com/images/woodworking/after.jpg
I have read many posts here about rehabing old planes, so I finally took the plunge and purchased a Stanley #5 on ebay for $20. When it arrived, it was in a lot worse shape than I expected - handles loose and cracked, blade bent and very badly sharpened, plus of course much rust and pitting.
Undeterred, I soaked all the parts a vinegar solution over night, vigorously applied emory paper and steel wool, installed a new knob and tote, lapped and sharpened the cutter, cleaned and oiled all the threaded parts, and polished the brass. The result was a very reasonable user plane - at least to my relatively inexperienced eyes. Not perfect by any means, but I learned a lot, and it now produces some lovely shavings in soft pine.
My question is this: while I was working on the plane, I experienced a distinct sliding sensation, as though I was slipping down a slope. So, I decided to go inside and have a look at ebay where I found some nice looking #7s and #8s which I added to my watch list. Afterwards I felt much better. Is this something I should worry about?
(before and after pictures below)
http://www.rjeuller.com/images/woodworking/before.jpg
http://www.rjeuller.com/images/woodworking/after.jpg