Cleaning a #7

Re: Cleaning a #7 *LINK*

Kevin French, Antrim NH

>Bob is that the LEFT side looking at it from the front or the LEFT side as you're using it?

I know I'm called the same thing at work.

You're going to need to flatten the sole, during that process you should be able to remove the rust.

In case you don't have it here's a link.

Enjoy your jointer.


tuning a Plane

Re: Cleaning a #7

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native now in Jax Fl.

>If it's just a small patch I'd take a fine wire brush to it. If that dosen't work spary on some Simple Green. I hear tell that works pretty well, but I've never tried it.

Flatten the sole? I wouldn't do that until you discover it really NEEDS to be flattened.

Kevin,not to be a hosses arse, but I think it's a rare one that really needs it, besides, it's going to be ALOT of work.

Todd O.

Re: Cleaning a #7

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>I agree that one should test out a plane BEFORE tuning it up - it might not need much, if any work. However, in my experience, I have not come across a plane that did not benefit from tuning.

I bought my Type 11 Stanley #7 from a man who claimed to be a professional carpenter and sometime cabinetmaker, and that the only reason he was selling the plane was that his back injury prevented him from heavy work. He also claimed this #7 was a superb user.

Well all I can say that his definition of "superb" and mine must have come out of a different dictionary! I could not get better shavings than about .05". On closer inspection, there was a hollow in front of the mouth, and the blade was canted slightly (i.e. the frog was fractionally out-of-square). After lapping the sole and tuning the frog (not to mention the addition of a Japanese "Smoothcut" blade and Clifton cap iron), the plane just rocked. As I noted in my review of the LV BU Jointer, this #7 was now capable of shavings around .0005" (not that you want it to act like a smoother, but this is a good indication that it is tuned well).

What of the condition of the remainder of the plane? As you can see in the picture below (alongside the LV BUJ), after removing all the accumulated grime, I have left all the old battle scars. They are the character that gives life to these old warriors.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Cleaning a #7

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA, gettin' soggy

>You might check out Bob Smalser's "Rustproofing Tools" thread a bit further down. Pitting won't interfere with the operation of the tool - what you need is to prevent further corrosion. I've been successful just applying an enthusiastic coat of wax, but Bob's describing a higher-grade approach.

Re: Cleaning a #7 - use a dishwasher

RichStevens

>I have used with tremendous success our kitchen dishwasher to remove accumulated dirt and grime from the tightest crevices on planes. The constant blast of hot and high pressure water jets along with gentle abrasive action from dishwasher detergent is quite effective in bringing new life to one of these old girls.

Just be a little careful when reaching into the dishwasher to grab your plane afterwards - it will be very hot. DAMHIKT... Also, make sure you dry the plane quickly and apply a good coat of WD40 or something similar. Last thing you'd want is surface rust to appear.

(at the risk of pointing out the bleeding obvious, disassemnble the plane before placing it in the dishwasher - the process I refer to above was used for the plane body and frog only)

Rich

(holidaying in Perth, West Australia)

Re: Cleaning a #7

Kevin French, Antrim NH

>The little I've spet on the SS I've found few planes that couldn't use a little sole work. After removing the blade and cleaning the topside I check every sole on a 320 grit Sander belt on glass just to see if there is a hollow around the mouth. I am most likely putting too much into it but thats what I do.

Re: Cleaning a #7

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>You do reinstall the blade and retract it before you check and flatten the soles don't you? The tension added by the levercap against the frog can induce distortion different than that found with the blade and levercap removed.JR

Something else I'm doing wrong. Thanks

Kevin French, Antrim NH

>

Thank You, Gentlemen!

Bob Hutchins in central Texas

>Good ideas all. And Smalser is always an excellent master.

I'll post before and after pics when I'm done.

BobH