Norris infill

[marcros]

I have a norris that I bought recently. It is a nice user- post war and the black varnish (?) has been stripped off.

Should I do anything to keep it in its current condition for my children to inherit?! It is clean, not rusty and I am not looking at restoring it.

I plan to use it, I don't mind optimising it for that purpose, for example I did wonder whether to tru-oil the infills.

Any thoughts? If it was a £10 stanley I would have stripped any finish off the handles and oiled them without much further to-do. However, it does have a bit of value which I don't want to destroy, not do I want to spoil it by doing something daft!

 

[Harbo]

I just waxed the wood on my one and just gave everything a gentle clean without losing any patina.
I use Camellia oil on the metal bits.

Rod

 

[jimi43]

I would avoid using any finish including Tru-Oil.

Just wax it as Rod says.

The BM says they use Renaissance Wax and if it's good enough for them...it's good enough for me.

And it cleans up crud a treat without affecting the patina (if you are gentle as recommended).

Cheers

Jimi

 

[marcros]

i will do that then. I have some renaissance wax.

 

[AndyT]

This old post of mine on the use of Renaissance Wax might help

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/old-tool-cleaning-part-1-use-of-wax-t64195.html.

Hackney Tools Gary has a good recent blog post on the perils of overcleaning, showing a similar vintage Norris. It's a good illustration of how some people choose to obliterate the signs of age that make an old tool appealing:

http://hackneytools.com/2014/08/a-tale-of-two-planes/

 

[Harbo]

Here's some of my gently cleaned up stuff:

I used Ren Wax too - great stuff

Rod

 

[marcros]

i expect that mine will look very similar to the bottom picture when done. I dont have the screw in the front bun, but otherwise it looks pretty much the same.

 

[jimi43]

i expect that mine will look very similar to the bottom picture when done. I dont have the screw in the front bun, but otherwise it looks pretty much the same.

If you have some "now" pictures it would be helpful as you may need to "replace" the colour of the original "finish" (paint?)

Jimi

 

[marcros]

here she is- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-NORRI ... true&rt=nc

At this stage, I dont want to replace colour- just keep her good for the next few decades.

 

[jimi43]

here she is- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-NORRI ... true&rt=nc

At this stage, I dont want to replace colour- just keep her good for the next few decades.

I agree.

Soft cloth..wipe over with RW is all she needs.

Lovely plane. Leave it exactly like that and love and use it.

Jim

 

[AndyT]

I reckon that will be an excellent user, with no need to do anything to it bar sharpening and a touch of Renaissance wax to guard against the risk of rust. As for future value, I think there will always be plenty of people who value a Norris as a well-performing plane, not just as something to buy and sell when the bottom drops out of the Beanie Babies market!

 

[jimi43]

I reckon that will be an excellent user, with no need to do anything to it bar sharpening and a touch of Renaissance wax to guard against the risk of rust. As for future value, I think there will always be plenty of people who value a Norris as a well-performing plane, not just as something to buy and sell when the bottom drops out of the Beanie Babies market!

+1

And may I say a very fair price was paid for an excellent plane.

Enjoy it mate!

Jimi

 

[Harbo]

That's an excellent price I paid 2x that about 5yrs ago!!

Rod

 

[marcros]

i have looked at a few on ebay since, and the values seem to have dropped substantially from their heyday, some have not hit reserve and have failed to sell at less than mine. I am very happy with it because i like the look of infills and it performs well.

Compared to alternative smoothing plane offerings from LN, LV etc, I think that it is very well priced, and if you get plenty of years of use from it, then 3x 4x etc the price could justify it.