It's a real pleasure working with hand planes. Restoring them sounds like fun as well.
Hi Dan - thanks. No white snow for me - I'm in Florida. Got out of Ontario just before that snowstorm on Jan 19. So..... brown fairways and white golf balls.Hey, Vince! Good to see you back!! (White snow + green golf balls?)
Another vote from me for for electrolysis.
@twmv86
Tim - I've restored a few planes myself - will post some pictures later. I've purchased hand planes for as little as $5.00 at flea markets and an older like-new,in box Stanley #4 for $20.00. Ebay seems overpriced. Have you tried electrolysis rust removal? I've done it a few times and works pretty well - lot's of videos on google of the process.
thats just the lever cap and chip breaker. it was missing the cutting iron but i hear ya. it may have been used a ton by a dedicated woodworker but now i got it lol. im a hack but i like messing with the stuff. i need to get some oil or shellac on the wood it looks quite parchedTim, That's a beauty...looks like the iron has been sharpened a few thousand times. Must have been owned by a real hand tool hands on woodworker.
hey bill. since july i have a 3, a 4, two 4 1/2s, two 5s, 5 1/4 & a 6 and a 110. all are stanleys except for the record combo plane. i was gonna make a scrub out of one of the jacks but will use the lesser of the 4 1/2s now that i finally have one. problem is after restoring they all look great haha. im going to attempt to make a router plane besides the shoulder plane shown above.Finding, restoring, tuning and use of hand planes can be one of the real joys of woodworking. There is nothing quite like them. I'd suggest before moving onto the battleship
planes (7&8), find a couple old stanly 6 1/2 and 9 to restore. Small block planes can be the workhorse in any shop. Especially when it comes to "tweaking" things. Find or make yourself a couple of winding sticks. Invaluable when it comes to plane work!! And while your looking, keep an eye out for a quality straight edge, 24" at least, 50" or better if the price is right. Then then 7 and 8 will make more sense. If versitility is what your after, look into a 5, 1/4 or 6. Great choice for shooting boards and donkey ear jigs.