Hi, <!—-><!—-><!—->
I picked up a <!—-><!—-> <!—->Stanley <!—-><!—-> #4 and #5 1/2 on ebay last week. I figured I would “go old” and learn. I don’t have the $for a LN right now. <!—-><!—->
When the #4 arrived (the #5 ½ is still in transit), I pulled out the FWW issue with David Charlesworth’s Hand plane tune-up article. The first thing I noticed was my frog design was “different” then the one picture. After going on line I have determined that this plane is a type 8 which lacks the frog fine adjustment screw. How important is this feature? Will this #4 still make a decent user? Or do I have a $40 practice plane and a lesson learned? (First Ebay bid/purchase got a little impulsive) <!—-><!—->
Also about 1/2 of the Japanning is gone. What is the best way to protect the areas that are now exposed? I have heard that re-painting / re-japanning planes is frowned upon in many circles.
Any comments?
<!—-> Rob<!—->
Replies
Rob,
The adjustment screw is more of a gimmick than a neccesity, you will position the frog once and then probably never adjust it again.
If your plane were a rare tool with collector's value, refinishing would diminish its worth, but that isn't an issue with the plane you purchased. If rusting isn't a problem in your shop, you don't have to do anything where the finish is gone. Ordinary furniture paste wax will prevent rusting if it is a problem.
If you wanted to refinish the plane, strip off the old Japaning with paint stripper, then prime it, and give it two or three coats of automotive gloss black engine paint from spray cans. There is no secret special Japanning paint, what is on there now is just ordinary enamel.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
$40 for a Stanley 4 is a good price. As an ebay seller I can tell you; buy your tools during the summer when people are too busy living life and doing other things. You'll be able to pick up much better deals. It's the winter time where there's nothing to do that brings out all the collectors and prices go much higher.
Rob,
Just in case you want to brave some new water:
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=handtools&file=articles_117.shtml
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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