Blade is stuck!

Re: Blade is stuck!

Neal (San Jose)

>I've never tried this, but... Since the wood has dried out and shrunk around the blade, would it make sense to re-wet the wood, causing it to expand and let go?

How about putting the plane inside a zip-lock bag with a damp sponge for a week or so? I'd avoid direct contact, since the wood in contact with the sponge would locally absorb moisture and expand a lot faster than the rest of the plane, likely causing serious splitting.

Good luck and let us know what works for you.

Re: Blade is stuck!

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>I would suspend the whole thing above a humidifier (warm would probably be better), or maybe above a pot full of hot steamy water. The plane will probably distort somewhat, but it should expand enough to allow freeing the blade. The blade will most likely rust superficially, but you have to clean it anyway. The plane will get back to its original shape once it dries up.

I have one plane from my great grandfather that did exactly the same thing. Since I have no need for the plane (can't see myself using it) I just waited until the summer for the plane to expand enough to free the blade).

Nice catch, BTW

DC

Gotta get that beech board out of the wood pile...

Re: Blade is stuck!

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Sounds like a good job for a Hatchet! ;~) Split 'em in half, remove blade, glue back together.

O.K., I'm just kidding, couldn't resist.

Seems to me that the solutions provided should work, but I think that I'd be inclined to just wait until the humidity level rises which will expand the wood slowly. I fear that the rapid re-introduction of moisture into the wood might cause severe damage.

If getting that kind of humidity is a problem in Montreal, send them to me and in about 6 months when the humidity gets to be 90+% I'll try to remove the blades and return them.

Todd O.

Re: Blade is stuck!

Wayne Anderson

>Just a shot, but you could probably try shooting some furniture polish, like Pledge, in around the edges if the blade. Let it penetrate in around the stuck area, then re-try the vise trick. I know the polish is very slippery, and may be just enough to overcome the friction that has hold of your irons. The polish could probably be removed afterward with some alcohol or some other wood cleaner if you wanted to do so. My 2 cents worth. -Wayne

Wayne to the rescue!

Frank D. in Montreal

>Thanks for your feedback everyone,

I was going to try the plastic beg method (sorry Denis, I'm too chicken to blast my planes!), but didn't relish the idea of plastic bags laying around the house for a week (that would have cost me brownie points)... I gave Wayne's trick a try and it worked like a charm! The blade came right out with a few bangs of my hand on the body.

Thanks!

Re: Blade is stuck!

Frank D. in Montreal

>Nice try Todd,

But I think your birthday was yesterday... Maybe next year, if you,re a good boy... ;)

Three Cheers to Wayne!!

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Wayne,

Good show Ol' Boy, good show indeed. What other rescues have you performed with the furniture polish?

Frank, I really was serious with my offer to send them down here, no tricks attached. What with this @#%^&* humidity we have it might as well be put to good use somehow. I don't mind working up a good sweat, but damn, when I'm still in the "Thinking about it" stages of a job, and I'm dripping sweat, somethings wrong.

I'm real happy that Wayne came to the rescue for you, those look like some interesting planes, and it would of been a real shame if they had gotten spoiled. We expect follow ups on they're recovery and use. would also be interested to know just how you happened to acquire them as well.

Todd O.

Have Hatchet, will travel. ;~)