Trying my first hand plane clean-up attempt!

Ok- here are the pics of the no 2 and the SW plane.
Thanks again guys!! :)

I can’t see the pictures but it’s not uncommon to get a yellow oxidized hue. It should disappear after oiling or waxing. Nice gift, a Stanley #2! Welcome to LJ!

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

That #2 is junk. Send it to me and I’ll use it for a paperweight. :-)

Seriously though, even though there are a few issues here, it’s still a fairly rare and valuable plane. How you go about restoring it depends on what it is you want.

Personally, I’m not trying to preserve antique value when I clean up a plane. I just like it to look as shiny and new as possible. I never use rust removers. I start off by soaking the parts in Simple Green to get the grunge and dirt off, then I start working on the rust by applying a liberal amount of WD40 to soften it up. After it sits a while, I just go after it with a combination of sandpaper, wire brushes, buffing wheel… whatever seems to be working best. No two are exactly alike in my short restoration experience.

For lapping the sole and sides, I stick self-adhesive sandpaper to a slab of granite, and rub like crazy till everything is flat.

As for the cracked tote, you can make a glue repair, or just get a replacement on eBay.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Congrats !!!

-- Pat - Worker of Wood, Collector of Tools, Father of one

The block plane is something like a #18 or perhaps a #65. Sometimes the planes are numbered on the side of the plane. A photo from a bit further back would be helpful in identification. Is it a standard or low angle plane?

I’m in the do as little as possible camp for restorations. Both of your planes have collector value. Though the repair on the #2 has a pretty big impact on value.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I’m not worrying too much on keeping the value, the main value to me is that it was my grandfathers :) but I don’t want to take it’s original character either… Or knowing me- ruin it! Lol so I am mostly focusing on getting the metal nice and shiny – and making sure everything is flat to use. Japanning is still 90% so I will just put some shellac to coat it.
I’m nervous that the metal is now starting to turn black after her second bath- is this normal? Lol

What kind of rust remover are you using?

Also for more info on the planes check this site.

http://www.supertool.com/stanleybg/stan0a.html

Take a look at the #18 and #65….

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Wayne, here is the SW plane…sorry I’m still trying to get the formatting size down lol
I’m using krud kutter- the must for rust…I don’t have a battery charger for the electrolysis just yet.
Thanks again!

The block plane looks like an #18. I have not used your de-ruster, so I cannot comment on the discoloration.

I would not think these are rusted to the point I would consider electrolysis. These should clean up just fine.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Reference info that you may find handy..

-- Phil G

I think the yellow you are getting is flash rusting, there may be some instruction on your rust remover with regard to flashing. Welcome to the club, soon you will be a very sick man, you will have imprinted Patrick’s blood and gore on the inside of your eyelids, will stalk local tag sales at 6:00 in the morning, and have vats of evaporust, bubbling water, and metal dust all over your shop. Now say it with me … My name is lost in sawdust .. and im an addict.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

I use electrolysis to clean planes and dry the parts as quick as I can when they are removed from the bath. Also use a brass bristle brush to scrub off the residue, it doesn’t scratch the iron but notice it leaves a light brass color to the parts. I believe that is due to brass plating from the brush to the iron. Apply paste wax as soon as the parts are completely dry.

-- The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Goodmorning everyone!
Just wanted to say thanks again, for help and direction for this. Blood and Gore is overwhelmingly amazing, also thanks for the link Phil, the pictures helped! Lol
Wanted to update on the progress- Here she is all cleaned up- today I will be lapping the sole and sides.

The only thing that’s bothering me is the lighter color on the tote, I sand that epoxy as gently as I could! Lol
Maybe some garnet shellac?

Thanks all!!

Very nice job on the restore – dramatic improvement.

Re: the black residue, which I think is black oxide – someone correct me if I’m wrong. I’ve gotten that as well when I mistakenly had a part not completely submerged in my Evaporust bath. It left a black line along the point of exposure. It was the dickens to remove.

Nice job so far. A really good metal guy could fix the bad repair if you know one. You could also buy or make a replacement tote. The #2 is a pretty rare plane. Search LJs for tips. A lot of good resources.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)