My father has been wanting a block plane for a while and had been dropping hints. So I went out on e-bay and found one that was in decent shape. After testing it out it and determining it was worth the trouble, I went ahead and refinished it.
Here is what I started with
First I lapped the sole and the sides, then I soaked it in Evapo-Rust, then I used a paint stripper to remove the remaining Japanning. I had to use a small piece of 220 grit sand paper to clean up the finger indentations. Once this was done (for some silly reason I didn’t take any progress pictures) I let the parts dry and then proceed to tape what I didn’t want paint on, plugged the screw holes with wax, rubbed the target areas with Mineral Spirits (to help remove any unwanted wax) and on the plane body I used a hi temp glossy black engine enamel and applied multiple thin coats and a medium coat last. The lever cap left me with a bit more of a challenge. As it was originally nickel plated I was first unable to remove the remaining (40%) plating and second I had no time to send it out to be plated (plus I don’t have a clue on how expensive tat would be). So I settled and used a chrome paint. I removed the enamel from the appropriate surfaces, Scary Sharpened the blade, put T-9 Boesheild on the exposed parts and reassembled. 
I think it looks great and my dad is happily taking the thinnest of shaving off of his current project.
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
12 comments so far
DrSawdust
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231 posts in 993 days
posted 365 days ago
Wow. What an awesome gift. It’s a present all wrapped up with love. Way to go sIKE.
-- Making sawdust is what I do best
Douglas Bordner
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3423 posts in 959 days
posted 365 days ago
Truly a labor of love, sIKE. Good to keep our classic woodworkers (both iron and flesh) working up to snuff.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Scott Bryan
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20668 posts in 717 days
posted 365 days ago
You did a nice restoration on the plane. It made a great gift for your dad. I am sure he is proud both of the tool and the effort that you put into it.
Good job!!!
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
3fingerpat
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909 posts in 563 days
posted 365 days ago
Excellent job, congratulations on such a great transformation.
-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"
rtb
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679 posts in 608 days
posted 365 days ago
Absolutly beautiful, It looks like a highend new plane.
-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "
HokieMojo
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1142 posts in 623 days
posted 365 days ago
anotehr good plane restoration blog. Thanks!
sIKE
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1094 posts in 649 days
posted 365 days ago
Just a follow-up on the lever cap. The chrome paint is still adhering to the lever cap but has dulled with use. So mark this off as a solution if you want the look and to still use it. My father could care less…..
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
Quixote
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167 posts in 533 days
posted 365 days ago
One solution for the silver paint wear issue would be to clear coat the cap after applying the silver. The clear will protect the silver and give a clean gloss for added image appeal.
Re-chromong for some glof club restorations run about $20 to $25 per club head, I suspect a similiar price for the lever cap.
Looks great. Thanks for sharing.
Q
-- I don't make sawdust...I produce vast quantities of "Micro Mulch."
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 618 days
posted 365 days ago
That is a great restoration. That should make Dad happy.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Dwain
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38 posts in 754 days
posted 365 days ago
Looks really good. I would almost guess you are going for a copy of the new Lee Valley premium LA block!
-- 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
sIKE
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1094 posts in 649 days
posted 364 days ago
Honestly, I tried to stay true to the Stanley No 60 1/2 over at Blood and Guts it states that this particular model came with a Nickel plated Lever Cap, so guiess the imitation would be on the LV side ;)
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
John Gray
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1753 posts in 780 days
posted 364 days ago
Great job, thanks.
-- Only the Shadow knows....................