So, I wanted a #6 but didn’t want to spend much on it. I bid $15 on this Millers Falls on ebay. My thought was to use it until I found a Stanley #6 and resell it, hopefully for a profit from the restore. Well you probably already know I found an even cheaper Stanley #6, but I’ve had this Millers Falls 18 for a while now. I love this plane. The #6 is to new to know how it compares, but this Millers Falls has found a place in my collection. It just seems to hang very nicely.
So for $15 plus another $15 to ship it, here is what I received.
So I went through the routine. I flatten the sole, polished the parts, repainted, sanded, re-shellac’ed, sharpened and here you have it.
To restore the japanning I use Dupli-Color Engine Enamel DUPDE1635 Ford Semi Gloss Black spray paint. I’ve read in several other post that it most closely matches the original finish.
The lever cap was wire brushed and as I typically do, I sanded the rosewood and gave the tote and knob a few coats of shellac.
dw
-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)
5 comments so far
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2269 days
#1 posted 739 days ago
Nice restore. Be interested to see what you think of this compared to your #6.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Dan
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3480 posts in 1052 days
#2 posted 739 days ago
Very well done. I am sure that plane (with a sharp blade) will work just as well as any Stanley plane would with the same blade.
What kind of wire brush do you use on the lever cap? The lever cap is my least favorite part to clean and polish I may try using a wire brush.
-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"
Don W
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9973 posts in 740 days
#3 posted 739 days ago
I use a fine 6”wire brush on an old 3 hp compressor motor. I switch it out for a course for really bad pieces, but I don’t need it very often.
-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)
Dwain
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291 posts in 2031 days
#4 posted 728 days ago
Great restoration. Between you and Dan I am dumbfounded. I think the Miller’s Falls is every bit as good or better than the Stanley planes, however I have Stanleys. Have you thought about painting around the logo on the lever cap? I think that would really make it pop. Of course, I am the one suggesting, you are the one doing, so take it for what it’s worth!
Again, nice work!
-- When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there is no end to what you CAN'T do
Don W
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9973 posts in 740 days
#5 posted 728 days ago
If you look at my latest #8, I did paint around the logo. At some point I will go back and add it to this one.
As for Millers Falls, I plan to eventually put together a set. I love this plane. I actually took both this and the Stanley #6 off the shelf and just planed. I was trying to figure out why I like the Millers Falls better. I don’t have a good explanation and no real complaints about my Stanley #6. I just like the Millers Falls.
I follow Dan and WayneC a lot. I found this site interested in restoring. I’ve been hooked ever since I hit their blogs.
-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)
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