Restoring hand planes

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johnnparchem
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by johnnparchem »

I have been playing with my number 8, I still think I like my veritas low angle jointer better, but I have been having fun with my number 8.
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Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Nice John. Uncle has a #7 I might ask him for, and it is in pretty good shape too. Also very early 1900's.

I am really enjoying doing this.
I have dated the Stanley # 4 1/2 that I'll be doing next as being made between 1902 and 1907.
I think that is so cool. It has NO lateral blade adjustment.
ruby@magpage.com
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

Kevin

The 4-1/2 was first made in 1898 in response to the heavier English infill planes used for smoothing in Yurp. The lateral was first used in 1885, so your plane can't have no lateral - check to see if the frog is broken off up high. Another reason for no lateral would be that the frog broke and was replaced with one from a #6 or 7 pre-lateral (pre 1885) somewhere along the line. If it is broken, it will still function, but it would not be hard to come with a used frog from a 4-1/2, 5-1/2, 6 or 7 as long as you know the age of the plane to match it - they changed a bit through the years. Try here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=st ... 6&_sacat=0

Ed
Ed M
Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Thanks Ed, you really know your stuff here! I haven't taken the plane apart yet, just sprayed a bunch of wd40 on it a couple of evenings ago. I'll see if I can get it apart tonight and get a closer look.
Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Now I took another look at the Patrick and Gore info and I think that is where I got my take on how old it might be. They are saying 1884 was when the 4 1/2 first came out, pre-lateral adjuster, then in 1885 the lateral was added. If this was to be true, I wonder if this could be a 1884 model?
When apart and the casting and frog are cleaned up perhaps it will tell me more. I'll show you some pics of the parts and maybe you assist me in dating it then.
ruby@magpage.com
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

Patrick's Blood and Gore is great, but I consulted the equally reliable John Walter book and he says 1898. The book was last updated in 1996, so maybe Leach's website is correct. Good to know. At any rate, if yours is truly a pre-lateral, then don't monkey with it at all - it is worth more as it is.

Ed
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Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Nope, not pre-lateral. I had just a minute last night to break the plane down. The frog is missing the lateral adjuster, but there is a place for one.
The casting markings tell me this is a Style 9 plane. The brass knob and tote nuts are the solid cylindrical ones. The iron is used up almost all the way to the slot, only about 3/8" above the bevel left. I suppose it is usable but I may be on the look for a replacement iron. I'll also see if I can find a lateral adjuster arm for it. If not, I'll just clean it up, sharpen the blade, put it back together, and then I was going to give it to my wife's uncles granddaughters husband, probably the only member of that family interested in such things.
Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Ed this picture is the same mark on the iron of the 4 1/2. One source Rexmill.com dates it 1910 to 1918.
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Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

So today I spent my lunch hour walking through a local flea market and made a lucky find. $12 got me the two planes pictured. A Stanley #4c style 11 made between 1910 & 1918 in excellent original condition except a slightly newer SW plane iron. Surface rust but virtually no pitting. This going to clean up nicely.
The block plane is a 220 style plane I think. No make on the bed but does have "made in usa". How old? No idea really but I'd say probably at least 50 years old maybe.....??
Anyway I'm pretty excited. It will be fun bringing them back to life.
I'll see if I can reduce the pic file size on my phone so I can post them. :)
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Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Restoring hand planes

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Here is my latest reworked plane. This is another from my wife's uncle. The plane was his grandfathers. It was made between 1902 and 1907. It is a Stanley 4 1/2. I made the knob and tote from african mahogany.
The blade is just about used up, but there are a few sharpenings left in it. It is not like new by any means, but tt is now quite usable.
It will be given to his grandson in law for his birthday. Another fun one.
Picture before and after.

Kevin
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