Vintage infill plane - back iron.

[blackrodd]

I bought this plane above, to renovate and use.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-INFIL ... true&rt=nc
The seller, whom is very helpful, has sold me, for£4.00, a back iron and screw, that will fit for size, but needs the slot making longer.
Would this be better milled, Or should I use a grinder, carefully, or get a better fitting one?
Although I'm fairly sure This isn't a rarity, I would'nt like to mess it up.
Regards Rodders

 

[MIGNAL]

Take an old unwanted file to the slot and see how it works. If it's hardened at that point I guess you'll have to grind it.

 

[AndyT]

In the fifth eBay picture you can clearly see the boundary between the crucible steel business end and the main body to which it is welded. This bit, with the slot in, will be iron not steel so should be easy to work with hand tools.

I suggest drilling a hole where you want the slot to extend to, then threading a hacksaw blade into the old slot and cutting down to the new hole, down each side of the slot.

 

[blackrodd]

Many thanks for the replies.
I'm looking foreward to renovating this infill plane, It will make a nice change from the norm.
Regards Rodders