Hand Plane Restoration #3: Stanley Bench Plane

Looks good, it seems there is no end to your talents and knownledge.

Diane

Interesting. I’m not sure I have heard of anyone stripping the japanning unless they were going to re-japan. How did you come across the process to Parkerize a plane? Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

ooooh! Dave I luv this one!
Better than outta the box!
Where did you find the chemcial for the parkerizing?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

David, In looking at your photos, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Stanley with the shapes and markings shown on your plane. What exactly do you have there? It says made in the USA. But no number on the front or ” Bailey”. I also would like to know how to Parkerize a plane. I’ve heard of it used on guns but don’t know anything about the process.

-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon

Wayne, Bob & Thomas -

I did not mean to post anything controversial . . . I have been documenting this plane on my own blog. As I mentioned this is in no way a valuable plane with any collector interest. I won it almost 25 years ago as part of a drawing at a local lumberyard (San Lorenzo Lumber) when I lived in Santa Cruz, California. It is the same basic Stanley bench plane you see at the big box stores. For years it lived in the bottom of my carpenter’s toolbox. I used it for trimming deck and fence construction – pretty coarse work. I know I did not care for it as well as I should have at the time. I figured since it is going to be a user plane on my bench that I would experiment with techniques to clean and de-rust tools (for future project!). So, in summary, this is just a plane that needed some TLC with no collector’s value that now is getting a little too much publicity!

I was going to reapply the blue japanning but I am considering Parkerizing the plane body because I like the look of the clean and polished cast iron – just a personal preference. The Parkerizing process is basically just an immersion in phosphoric acid, which creates a fairly durable conversion coating that resists rust. I will lap the sole and sides after Parkerizing and then apply several coats of wax.

Forgot to mention that I used the Parkerizing process in the past with some ironwork detailing – worked out pretty nice.

I will keep you all up to date.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Your knowledge and skill always impresses me.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com

Seriously cool. I too find the markings on this plane odd. I saw a #5 on eBay the other day and thought is this some Frankenplane (put together from parts of other planes) or a forgery? The odd casting around and in front of the tote were different then I have ever seen. Might have find a way to contact Patrick Leach.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I was wondering about your innovation and not concerned about what you were doing to the plane. It is a real unique idea. Looks like a cool idea. Perhaps you should match it up with one of chscholz's custom plane blades.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

David;

I, too really like the look of what youv’e done here. It makes the plane LOOK much more valuable than the standard bluing we’re all so used to seeing.

Very Nice.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Thanks guys for the kind and supportive words!

Wayne – I will be in BIG trouble if I order one of those blades! They are very tempting . . . a bit to rich for the lineage of this humble plane. I always like the links and information you send – thanks!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Job well done and may you have many years of fun filled use. I will file this away for future reference.

-- Bob Lance, DE

Hi David….....looks very neet.

Have a question: If you were to reapply the blue jappaning, what material/brand would you use for the coating????

Also….....are you going to “Parkerize” the plane with a patented Pruett approach???

I’m sorry you weren’t a part of the Thomas Mot Motolla production, I can imagine between Bob#2 and yourself, providing way too much material for Tom.

Interested in the next step on your plane….............Neil

Hi Neil! Always good to hear from you!

I have a couple of recipies for blu & black japanning that I stumbled on doing a little research. I did find a very close match to the original blue that was a Rustoleum Hi-Temp Blue paint.

I will be using a modifed “Parkerizing” wich is why I put the original post in quotations. I did not want to have that dark black military color – just a dull grey iron color. I will be sharing that on the next installment. I am just passing time until I can get back into my shop!

LOL regarding Tom’s last video – great production as always! I think I have gotten into enough trouble with him for a while . . . he is fun to collaborate with though!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Hi, the PDF appears to link to a vaccume press bag. I was looking to refer someone to this post.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

The link has been corrected. Thanks.

My apologies, I’m rarely on LJ any more and I was unaware of the link error.

Electrolytic Rust Removal

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com