Restoring hand planes

[Kevin in California]

I have a new interest, and spent the last couple of weeks working on restoring 3 hand planes.
I wasn't thinking and forgot to take the "before" pictures, but here are the after pictures.
The first one is a Stanley clone #5 jack plane probably made between 1900 and 1910. This plane belongs to my wife's Uncle who is 87, and the plane was HIS grandfather's, who died in 1937. I fixed it up and gave it back to him for his birthday yesterday. It was totally rusted and the knob and tote were toast.
I made new ones from walnut, removed the rust, trued the sole, repainted the inside of the casting and the frog, polished the brass, and of course sharpened the blades to scary sharp. Works like a dream.

The next two...the bench plane is a Stanley #5 made between 1948 and 1961. It was quite rusty with some pitting, etc. and did the same to it. The tote and knob are rosewood and just needed to be refinished. The were not broken, cracked or even badly dented. Nice.

The block plane is a "Union" plane made between 1900 and 1920. Stanley bought the company in 1920. It is a model 110. It was also missing the front knob so I turned on out of Sapele on my lathe. This was so rusty you couldn't disassemble it I freed things up with WD40 so I could take it apart, and soaked all parts in Evapo-Rust. Cleaned it up, painted it, sharpened the hardly used blade and I have a usable block plane. FUN! I only paid $25 for the these two planes.

The rusty one is next, another of my wife's uncles that was his grandfathers. I date it at being made between 1900 and 1908. It will need new tote and knob but should clean up nice, it is a #4 1/2 Stanley wide smoother.

Fun projects and an economical way to have some nice planes if you can find them at garage sales, flea markets, off ebay, etc. and spend a little time fixing them up.

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

First, you have very nice fingernails.

Second - what a cool thing to do - I've thought about trying that myself and you've encouraged me. Thanks!

[Kevin in California]

Dave, I figured you'd mention my diamond ring for sure!

[Dave Bagwill]

I didn't want to go overboard, Kevin.....but since you mentioned it, nice diamonds!! :-)

[ken cierp]

In Michigan we can still get those collectibles for a few bucks -- re-store block plane (like so many other fun projects -- back burner)

I thought this was interesting -- looks like it should work? However, I do not recommend his edge test!

[Kevin in California]

Here is my latest reworked plane. This is another from my wife's uncle. The plane was his grandfathers. It was made between 1902 and 1907. It is a Stanley 4 1/2. I made the knob and tote from african mahogany.
The blade is just about used up, but there are a few sharpenings left in it. It is not like new by any means, but tt is now quite usable.
It will be given to his grandson in law for his birthday. Another fun one.
Picture before and after.

Kevin

[Dave Bagwill]

I don't care what Herman says, I think you do great work!!