When I heard about this contest – I immed thought of only one tool I use to this day that I cherish dearly passed down from my great grandfather – my Stanley Block Plane. This tool has been used religiously just about everyday for decades from building porches to furniture. It has been dropped, cracked, welded, split, burned and still gives a true straight edge plane every time. I have used other planes in the past but the feel of this plane knowing the hands that have truly trained it compare to none other. I know that someday this plane will pass down to my children and give the same satisfaction of superior craftsmanship and gratification of a job well done.
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Great plane, how did you get the rust off? I have one that is rusted badly and don't want to ruin the parts that may react badly to severe rust removal chemical methods or extreme mechanical removal.
Hi ezwider48
I have restored an entire set of Bedrocks to pristine condition starting with old rustbuckets using the electrolysis method. Google up "electrolysis rust removal" and you will see loads of good articles. Its very easy to do and gives the best removal. When done, thoroughly rinse the plane body and use a scrubbing brush. It now looks a bit black. Now bake it gently in an electric oven (say 200 deg) for a few hours to completely remove moisture from the porous cast iron. Cool it off. Clean with steel wool or wire brush. Restore the japan with real asphaltum japan (hard to find) if you are a purist or a good black lacquer paint. You're done! You will have a rust free plane ready to go. For a working grade plane (not collector grade) I like to clean the sides with a little fine sandpaper and then wax it with furniture wax or camelia oil to keep rust out. A Hock blade would make it go from good to awesome!
Cheers, Paul
I have cleaned hundreds of rusty old tools using electrolysis, in plastic tubs only and with Rebar as the attractor for the rust.
The tool becomes black because of chemical reaction.I spray KABOOM Shower,Tub and Tile cleaner on the tool,after removing it from the tub and let it sit for a few minutes,then rinse.
The black oxidation comes off instanty.I protect if from further rust by adding 1 tablespoons of paint thinner on to a rag in the minwax paste wax can and rotate rag until I have a wax slurry,and apply ,then wipe.