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Hand planes...found for a bargain, learning how to refurbish them...

8K views 26 replies 8 participants last post by  MadJester 
#1 ·
Small unmarked hand plane refurb

I'm just beginning to appreciate the uses I have for hand planes now that I'm doing more projects that are not refinishing in nature…over the past nine months I've been collecting an assortment of different ones at yard/estate sales and clean outs…here's the smallest one and I'm using it to practice with…I'm getting very small shavings, so I'll have to figure out if it's the position of the blade, whether I have it sharp enough or if I need to vary up my stones (which I've also been hoard…urm…collecting…)





 
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#3 ·
Thanks Chris…I've heard the same…I won't be keeping every one of them that I pick up though…that would be too much…I usually find them at a very good price and then resell them on eBay….right now I have three five inch planes…so two will go up on eBay…no need to have three of the same one…I'm keeping the older of the three…just because I like the features better…I think it's a Stanley…not sure…I'll have to check another time…and I'll probably put it as a blog entry…
 
#5 ·
Monte, I'll be the first to admit that I am a slave to power tools….being a woman, I often don't have the strength to always use hand tools…but there are countless small details that require hand tools, they are a very important part of what we do….my favorite tool would be my guillotine….it's sort of a really beefy hand tool with the power of an electric tool….love it!! LOL
 
#8 ·
I've got one of these.

I think this plane was more intended to knock down the sharp corners of components because it's awfully hard to push and control on flat surfaces and I can't think of an instance where a #3 or #4 wouldn't work better.

Looking at the photos again, it seems to me that the blade needs to be flipped so that the bevel faces down ( but I don't have mine in front of me).
 
#9 ·
You're right bonobo, it does seem to be ideal for knocking off edges and whatnot…(or planing small edge pieces for the little boxes I make…)...but if the blade is the other way around, it wouldn't work…
 
#11 ·
In the first pic, you can see the iron…has "Made in USA" on it…bevel up…but it certainly wouldn't hurt trying to turn it around…hey…you never know! :D
 
#12 ·
Ohhhh yes, take care, those things seem to become addictive.
It looks like the bed of the plane are app 45 degrees, so I would say the flat side up, even the iron indicates different ad Don says.
Try!
Remember it is as important to flatten the back of the iron, as sharpening the bevel.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#13 ·
Thanks Mads…I will try flipping the iron around…can't hurt….and yes, I always flatten the back…just one stroke…I've been devouring Paul Sellers videos on youtube!!! LOL
 
#14 ·
Stanley #255 ?

Today I cleaned up the smaller plane from yesterday…still not completely satisfied, but it will do. I then tackled a vintage Stanley7". Inside it is marked "C 255" and has an "x" and a "2" below that (it's covered by the iron). Back has "Made in USA". The blade is marked "Stanley No. 220 (13-220A) Made in USA". Not sure if it's actually a Stanley plane, but no matter…I have several this size that I've picked up and this one had the adjustment on the back, so I went with this one. There was a mild amount of rust, and I didn't do a full restoration, just cleaned it up to make it useable. Lapped the plate and sides (sides mostly for looks…) and I got some good shavings out of this one… I'm getting there on the sharpening part!


LOL




I cheated a bit on the base…had to use my bench top belt sander…these old shoulders just can't hack it so good anymore…
 
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