restoring old hand planes.

[tobytools]

i love to pick up old planes and restore them to former glory i have a huge collection of every type you could want and some, i dont care much about original finish, (black paint) as its all ways chipped or looks ugly, i normally repaint them, but whats the easy way to remove all the old paint as i have problems doing this, when im doing stanley 101, 102 103 106 ect block planes as they are so small what way do you find is best to get all finish off for repainting? thanks, i normally soke in boiling vinager and wire brust/ scrape off any better ways? i dont use power tools ever and dont ever want to so hand ways thanks. also what paint or finish do u use and methords,

 

[Dangermouse]

Paint stripper or caustic soda

 

[Richard T]

This thread might be of interest to you Toby.

chemically-stripping-paint-enamel-japanning-from-plane-t64784.html

 

[tobytools]

thanks for link very helpful

 

[G S Haydon]

Thanks also Richard, will help allot with these http://gshaydon.co.uk/blog/bench-planes/

 

[AndyT]

If you are restoring planes to use them yourself then it's just your preference that matters and repainting is absolutely fine. But if you want to sell them (and you have been asking elsewhere about values) then don't rush to repaint. I would never buy a repainted plane and would never repaint one. I would far rather see an old plane looking its age but with the functional parts in good working order. If old paint needs stabilising and you need to prevent rust a quick wipe with boiled linseed oil or some microcrystalline wax is all you need. I know that many other buyers of old tools think the same.

 

[G S Haydon]

Andy, I could not agree more. All of this will be done for my benefit, not to max value. The little block plane I purchased was in such bad shape I had to repaint. The bigger planes are not as bad and quite frankly I have not enjoyed stripping and prepping the the block plane so I don't think I will have the stomach to do it to the bigger planes. I can see myself doing a quick clean of the coach work, sand and oil of the plane handles (I'm not keen on the rosewood stain on beech), flatten the sole, sharp blades and that's about it. I have quickly learned I have little interest in restoring tools even though it is a worthy and noble task.

 

[tobytools]

i understand that if they are original looking they are a treat but some times they are to far gone. my stanley no 5 has a few chips but wouldnt dream of removing finish and repainting, saying that if you do i properly and apply a load of thin coats they look really good, and if its a day user then no harm., thanks

 

[Dangermouse]

A couple of years ago I had an old no6, war finish that had seen better days, which I decided to use to see how far one could go to get it back as new.
Results ....

The flash makes the blue look lighter than it really is. But you can see what can be done if you have a bit of time. Now I agree that this should never be done to a nice plane that has no damage or rust, but I cant see it being anything to gripe about restoring a plane that was in rough condition.

 

[G S Haydon]

Top Job DM, it's a beauty. My main reason for the grip/lack of enjoyment is time. Young family and busy workload mean everything takes a longer than I would like.

 

[tobytools]

beautiful job, when you painted the frog how did you get the big mirror shiny, i painted the whole thing and was thinking about sanding it, but i have done it by just painting around bits takes ages tho, im 23, no family, just a gf and job so i have lots of time to tickle with old tools it my hobbie you could say,

i am thinking of just getting LN gear but, im not right by any mean but is it worth saving up and getting his collection??
or would u say the old ones are better made and with the right tune up work better or just aswell?...

 

[G S Haydon]

Hi toby,

Within reason I think most bailey clones can be made to work very well indeed. The LN type products will need nothing doing (if they do send them back) while a cheapie like a faithful brand pane would need tuning up. A vintage would be of a higher quality than a cheapie but would normally still need attention to get the best from it. If you have time on your hands and an interest in tools then a vintage or cheapie help you learn a lot about planes.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

toby - I picked a No4 out of the scrap metal skip - out of curiosity, I measured the width of the mouth. The mouth on the almost new No4 was 33% wider than the mouth on an old No6. It's not difficult to make older ones perform better.

 

[tobytools]

thanks guys, i will probley stay with the old tools and make them work as its fun and i learn at the same time, but am thinking of getting the LN Rabbet Block Plane. as i think i can get it cheap of a guy i know £40. i watch his videos and see him wall mounted rack of planes, shaves ect and think i would kill to have that in my work area we all feel the same on that one i guess, then again even if i was rich i would still get the old ones. i just got a no6 stanley for £5.where as if i got a new top of range one would cost a bomb

 

[tobytools]

ho do u do you handles n knob, what u use

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Paint stripper, then soak in linseed.

 

[Dangermouse]

Plain clear oil varnish for the wood and the flat on the frog was sanded on a flat surface with wet and dry down the grades.