Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
LN # Bronze
bob marino
>After using the #4 bronze, I noticed some black streaks on the planed surface. I know this is due to the use of bronze, and was told by LN to put some wax on the plane, but how long does that last? Can't imagine too long. Is wax the only answer, if an answer at all?
Bob
Re: LN # Bronze
Paul Kierstead
>I have the perfect solution: I'll swap that wood marking, high maintenance LN with a very nice well adjusted Record. I'll even throw in the Hock blade with it.
More seriously, don't know exactly how long the wax lasts, but it seems I don't have to wax my planes for slickness all that often, but of course it is not so sensitive.
Re: LN # Bronze
Lyn J. Mangiameli
>Well, one answer is use it enough that the oxide never gets a chance to build up :-)
Rennisance wax hold up a little better than most
You can also wipe the sole down with a brass polish before use.
I used to use my Bronze #4 a lot (and I still think it is one of the most beautiful of planes) and the problem never really came up that much for me--maybe it's a climate thing.
Re: LN # Bronze
Alan Hamilton
>Bob,
I too have heard of this problem, but I have never encountered it. Did Lie-Nielsen give you any information about why this problem arises? Does it have to do with weather, wood variety, or?
I clean my tools after just about every use. I use kerosene as a cleaning solvent, which leaves an extremely thin film on my tools that acts as a rust inhibitor--or other harm due to oxidation. I don't wipe it off before using a tool, and I've had no troubles. I wonder if all that helps prevent problems like yours.
Alan
Re: LN # Bronze
Lyn J. Mangiameli
>It happens because the bronze lightly oxidizes and this soft oxide layer can be abraded onto the wood. I guess very abrasive woods could also strip small amounts of bronze off the sole, but I have never encountered this. Of course, the shed oxide is more prominent on some colors of wood than others.
In the end, the solution is either to prevent the oxide layer from developing in the first place (oxygen barriers such as oils and waxes) or to remove the oxide layer in advance by either chemical or abrasive means (including just taking a couple of passes on a scrap board, or one which will be trimmed further).
Frankly, I almost never have a problem with this.
Re: LN # Bronze
Mark Meier (Ann Arbor, MI)
>I've never had that problem either. It's got to be the camelia oil on the sole. After I get done using it I give it a few quick swipes on the oil wick and put it on the rack.
Mark