1894 German hobel
hand plane – restored
I found what I believe is an excellent example of the German and Nordic traditional hand plane. It is simple made, no fancy details except from the fact someone took time to decorate a little. Its cut from one piece of wood, and the horn are simply mounted with a big nail. The interesting part except from this is that the iron has been modified at some point and an adjustable chip breaker mounted, and it was this that made me fall in love with it (yes I need professional help).
Found it on E-bay Germany and got it at 4.99 Euro / 6,81 USD. Fair price I think… (you can buy 52 of these for the price of one Lie Nielsen No. 4, funny thought after all).
The text was: ‘Uralter Hobel,datiert 1894.Ein schönes Stück mit kleinen Gebrauchsspuren’.
Quite good condition, but needed some love.
Small details.
A broken part, fixed with a little rusty nail.
And I found four little worm holes so first step was to spray insect poison into these, and then I left it outside in the minus five for three days, this will kill the bastards if they were still alive.
Cleaning up the broken parts, don’t want to put new since I want history here.
The wedge is getting a shine and rust is removed.
The iron and chip breaker, a little rusty but nothing serious.
WD40, sandpaper and elbow grease.
Leave it over night for soak.
Detail from the iron, here you can see how it has been changed. It will keep an eye out for me now.
The modification of the iron is a long straight hole.
The adjustable chip breaker system, funny yes!
Here you see how it can be adjusted up and down.
And here after a cleanup, linseed oil, and a final coat of bees wax.
Notice how little wear on the back, someone have been kind not beating with a metal hammer.
The sole of the plane.
This plane have ´been working a lot I am sure, also probably been flattened again and again I will guess due to the big mouth opening.
I think I will give it a new sole at some point, to show it honor and to make a smaller or even adjustable mouth.
Still an old tool, but now with respect for the age.
Here the detail with the ornamentation and dating.
(Of course we never know, but it seems fair to trust the dating).
And here my latest buy from France, a wonderful little finger plane (like a violin makes plane), it came in a beautiful wood box, and with the original instructions, this is not going to be used a lot I am sure, it’s one of those that have more charm than usability.
I dedicate this little blog to our LJ Dennis who is fighting to restore a big load of old wood hand planes now.
Hope the blog can bring inspiration, or some old planes back to life…
Best thoughts,
MaFe
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
21 comments so far
Napoleon
home | projects | blog
786 posts in 980 days
#1 posted 819 days ago
Well done Mads.
Now Dennis know the standard of old plane that comes to life again;)
Ps thanks for buying that fingerplane to me. SOOOOO kind of you :)
-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith
swirt
home | projects | blog
1864 posts in 1143 days
#2 posted 819 days ago
That cleaned up nice. I am impressed by the decorative details. I haven’t seen any like that with the fine lines, pinwheels or stars and pin marks.
Clever depth adjuster.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
mafe
home | projects | blog
8057 posts in 1260 days
#3 posted 819 days ago
Napoleon you make me laugh! Wonderful to see you here on LJ again, the new job keeps you busy.
Dennis is really fighting, and some of his planes are a real challange, but he will manage fine I’m sure.
You have to wake up and get into the game if you want a little plane like this, it’s not for sale, but keep on dreaming, that is … lol.
Best thoughts,
Mads
-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
CrossGrain (Josh)
home | projects | blog
64 posts in 1189 days
#4 posted 819 days ago
Nicely done. I always enjoy seeing the process that is gone through on things like this.
-- Josh, Virginia , http://crossgrain.wordpress.com
Dennisgrosen
home | projects | blog
10854 posts in 1286 days
#5 posted 819 days ago
great to sea another plane come to live :-)
well done
how does it sing , well I hope , i gess with that big mouth its a jackplane right now
thank´s for the kind words Mads big smile on my head now and the rest of the evening in th shop :—))
its a beautyfull tiny plane you have found
take care
Dennis
Bertha
home | projects | blog
13111 posts in 864 days
#6 posted 819 days ago
That plane has some sensational markings. What a find with a ton of history.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
lilredweldingrod
home | projects | blog
2498 posts in 1277 days
#7 posted 819 days ago
Mafe, I don’t know how inspired Dennis is, but you sure pulled some heart strings over here.You left a lot of love dripping off that old plane. You sure do make me want to get into the planes. Since I have none to restore, I’ll just make my version. lol Where is your Coachmakers rabbeting plane like Div’s? Hint hint…
Div
home | projects | blog
1653 posts in 1111 days
#8 posted 819 days ago
A beautiful piece of woodworking history Mads. You are fortunate in being able to find these tools….$6.00!! Wow, I wish.
That fingerplane is absolutely exquisite!!!
-- Div @ the bottom end of Africa. "A woodworker's sharpest tool should be his mind."
David Kirtley
home | projects | blog
1250 posts in 1169 days
#9 posted 819 days ago
I’m sorry, the decorations on the plane are great, but I LOVE the eye.
-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/
Dave
home | projects | blog
9195 posts in 1011 days
#10 posted 819 days ago
Mads thanks for the provenance. I love the history of a tool. Great restore.
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
stefang
home | projects | blog
9488 posts in 1505 days
#11 posted 819 days ago
Good job on this plane Mads. I like that you preserved the original parts. I am very partial to planes with horns. They are so much more comfortable for me to use.
-- Mike, American in Norway
Sodabowski
home | projects | blog
1817 posts in 1004 days
#12 posted 819 days ago
Whoa! Talk about restoration, and a huge luck finding a pre-1900 wooden plane for that kind of money!
-- Thomas - There is no such thing as a problem, there only are solutions.
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13225 posts in 1844 days
#13 posted 819 days ago
Nice looking plane.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
RGtools
home | projects | blog
2839 posts in 825 days
#14 posted 819 days ago
Nice. Never done a restore on a wooden plane, but I love it when good tools get loving homes, especially when they need a bit of TLC.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
Bricofleur
home | projects | blog
948 posts in 1364 days
#15 posted 819 days ago
Now I know your secret! I thought you were using elbow grease, but I can see it’s WD-40!!! (Ha!)
Again, you made a great restoration job. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Serge
http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com
-- Learn from yesterday, work today and enjoy success tomorrow. -- http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 21 comments
Have your say...