I have a couple of old Stanley planes, I bought off ebay. The blades on both of them have been hammered on enough to ‘mushroom’ the edge opposite the bevel.
They came from opposite coasts, so it isn’t a localized phenomena.
Any ideas, on what the previous users did with them that they would be hammering on them like chisels?
Replies
"Any ideas, on what the previous users did with them that they would be hammering on them like chisels?"
I think you may have answered your own question. Do you remember the primitive pete movies from shop class?
Rob
I believe Tage Frid used plane blades to split off cheeks of tenons. I also seen a few planes that have had the tops a bit mushroomed.
T.Z.
Believe it or not, in the past, woodworkers would do anything to get the job done, they didn't care how. If you needed a chisel and you didn't have one or it was useless, out would come the plane blade. Folks were not particularly enamored with handplaning if they didn't have to. As a seldom used tool for it's purpose, the blade was of more value. You can file it up, the mushrooming doesn't usually effect anything but the looks.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Last year one of the other WW mags recommended using a plane blade instead of a chisel for cleaning out narrow dovetails. They did recommend adding a makeshift handle. Plus ca change.
Jim
What an interesting way to make a wide slick-like paring chisel. Does anyone know how to drill and countersink the metal in a plane blade?? (using tools that we already have)
Edited 2/23/2008 9:37 pm ET by Telemike
You can drill through a plane blade with a carbide drill bit. But a plane blade has enough meat that you should be able to devise a clamp-on handle that doesn't require holes.
-Steve
As I recall the handle consisted of a flat piece of wood on either side of the blade with the wood screwed together through the blade slot -- no need to drill the metal. The handle followed the general outline of the top half of the blade. Its purpose was to protect the hand rather than give a striking surface for a hammer.
I didn't bother making the handle, but tried out the blade in some dovetails. It worked very well for paring, though not quite thin enough for a very skinny "zero-clearance" dovetail.
Jim
They're called Shoemakers They aren't extinct yet.
Wanna bet some Neanderthal in the future will inherit A vintage Hock or
Lee Valley masterpiece and 'have at it'and then toss it?.
Just to add to the 'flotsam' you find at flea markets. On Judgement Day,he will be 'sent down the chute'.
Those knuckle heads are modern day tomb robbers
Steinmetz.
Edited 2/23/2008 9:56 pm ET by Steinmetz
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