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REAL MILK PAINT

Plane Clean up

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Plane Clean up

#1

Plane Clean up

TheHeretic

>Quick question. Keep in mind this plane is for use and not resell or show.

I recently purchased a Stanley #220 plane that had a moderate amount of rust on the sole and sides. The japanning was at about 85%. The blade had moderate amounts of rust as well. To clean it up I used mineral spirits (no Kerosene on hand) a small brass brush to knock off large amounts, steel wool for more removal (ok that didnt work very well) and 320 grit Garnet sandpaper. Sole and sides as well as blade are now worlds better. There appears to be no heavy scrapes and when I get some I plan on using 600 grit wet dry to polish it up a bit more.

The question is this. Have I done any damage to the plane's sole or sides using the garnet paper? I also used the paper to rub out a the rust on the blade. I can see long "streaks" in the sole and sides but to me they dont affect the performance. I did all of the operations on a flat piece of Baltic birch as I dont have a granite stone around (yet).

I would just hate to have done any real damage to the plane in getting it ready to use. I am actually rather proud that it works as well as it does now. I used the scary sharp to sharpen the blade by going up to the aforementioned 320 with garnet and than using a 600 grit diamond stone. It is probably not as sharp as it could be but it will now function as a plane as opposed to the condition I bought it in, which wouldnt have cut hot butter in July.

Thanks for any advice. I did read the article found elsewhere on WC and that is where I made the decision to use mineral spirits. I didnt go so far as to use electrolosis on it but for now the plane is functional.

I have stood on teh slippery slope and have started sliding. Twas such a great feeling when it made its first swipes and cut nice long curly shavings!

Thanks

Dean

Columbus, OH

Re: Plane Clean up

#2

Re: Plane Clean up

Thomas Williams - Columbus Ohio

>No I don't think you have done any damage. I have used wet dry paper starting at 120 and working up to 600 or 1500 for the sole of a plane. I go to 2000 for sharpening the iron. I would replace the iron if it is pitted.

Re: Plane Clean up

#3

Re: Plane Clean up

Dale Stansbery

>You did just fine. I usually use 320 on the sides and sole if there's light rust to remove, even sometimes 220, then go to finer grits on the sole using plate glass to keep it flat. Don't confuse the milling marks for sand paper scratches on the sides. Unless someone has lapped the sides with a fine sand paper, the milling marks will be visible and more coarse generally than 320 grit. Trial and error will tell you how smooth you want the sole. If it's relatively flat, all you're trying to do is get it smoother to slide easier. After a while I can't tell any difference, usually somewhere around 600 or 1000 grit. On an old plane, I also like to leave some patina on the sides, but that's a personal preference.

Re: Plane Clean up

#4

Re: Plane Clean up

Tom MacGregor, Vermont

>I've had excellent results with a piece of 3/8" plate glass. Granite might be nice, but the local glass shop gave me a 10" X 28" piece of glass and even seamed the edges for $5.00. I spent a little extra on pressure sensitive adhesive backed papers and got as flat & durable surface as I need to get those feather light shavings.

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