Once I started using scrapers I was caught with the bug. They are just so handy, but the drawback to card scrapers is that they can and do catch the second your focus wanders. So I started looking around for the typical scraper, the no.80. I had been watching e-bay for a few days when this 80M shows up.
Hmmm, what’s that? Off to Blood & Gore for a quick ID. Apparently it is the ductile iron version of the scraper. Well, that could come in handy. The japaning looked good, but the sole was rusty and no picture of the blade. Seller claimed it to be a sweetheart, so I figured it was worth a gamble. Even at close it was less expensive than a new no.80 and much cheaper than the Veritas.
So it came in yesterday and I hit the net to find some information on sharpening and settings. I gave it a quick hone and was able to pull shavings (smaller shavings in first picture). But it was obvious that a bit more tuning and homework was necessary.
Today I got home and tackled it again, but armed with a bit more knowledge and familiarity with the intended settings. I flattened the sole, lapped the blade holder, flattened the casting where the blade rests, and took a bit more care and time to properly hone the blade. I was rewarded with fluffy shavings and a much more predictable scraper.
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| From 2008.08.19 planes |
I haven’t tried it with a burr. There is some debate as to the need for a burr. For now I figure that I will try it out w/o one. If I need to get more aggressive I will burr it.
A few more glamour shots of this Ol’gal. She did cleanup nice for being close to 90 years old.
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| From 2008.08.19 planes |
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| From 2008.08.19 planes |
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| From 2008.08.19 planes |
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama
8 comments so far
SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 608 days
posted 436 days ago
Cool… I love a good find. It cleaned up nicely- you’ll get years of good use from it I’m sure…
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
cabinetmaster
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8534 posts in 452 days
posted 436 days ago
Great job of cleaning her up. You’ll find lots of uses for that baby.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Roper
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766 posts in 607 days
posted 436 days ago
they are very fun , nice looking plane.
-- Roper - Master of sawdust-
MsDebbieP
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14156 posts in 1054 days
posted 436 days ago
and now she heads towards her next generation of “working the wood”
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Ampeater
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200 posts in 641 days
posted 436 days ago
Thanks for posting.
As it happens, I have been looking on ebay for one of those, but haven’t bid on one yet. Your post has convinced me to get one.
-- "A goal without a plan is a wish."
jockmike2
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7302 posts in 1140 days
posted 436 days ago
so thats what that things for.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Doug S.
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306 posts in 602 days
posted 436 days ago
That was mt first scraper. I picked the exact same one up at a neighborhood garage sale about 15 years ago for $2.50 except not in as nice a condition. The blade was a lunar landscape so got replaced. Then like a dimwit I scrubbed off the nasty pitted paint with a wire brush and redid it with black Rustoleum. Who new that folks assess the things by the percent of “Japaning” they have left? Heck I didn’t even know for sure what it was when I bought it – just thought it looked somehow useful. DOH! Once I figured out how to use the thing I was hooked too.
-- Use the fence Luke
dsb1829
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369 posts in 521 days
posted 434 days ago
Meh, japaning-shmaning percentages. Leave that stuff to the collectors. The 80M and sweetheart era were what got my interest. I have been getting a kick out of just how nice these old tools are. I have gone through about 5 planes and tuned them up for use. In contrast to my imports these older planes just seem not only to be built better but have some character to them. When people walk into my shop I can tell them some of that history. I think that is much more interesting than, “hey, here is my POS from ??? imported and sold for dirt cheap. It is made of the finest compilation of the cheapest parts that could be thrown together to resemble a quality tool.”
Thanks for the comments.
MsDebbie, when you say it that way it just sounds dirty. I like it, thanks for the chuckle.
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama