Hello-
I have been refurbishing a Stanley (Bailey) no. 3 plane and this is my first time trying to get an older plane to a good,clean working condition.
I was hoping to gather some advice to make the process go as smoothly as possible. I need to replace the frog. Is there any particular sources for stuff like this on the web? Will a type 12 frog or other type work for this plane? I am interested in getting this thing to working condition and looking good (clean etc.) rather than an exact reproduction or collector’s item.
I also would like to get a new blade for it. I believe the current blade is from a Stanley sweetheart plane that someone put on it. I have sharped this blade twice but it seems nick for some reason fairly easily. Is there anything that I should know about trying to re-finish the wood knob and handles?
Is there anything that I should do to protect the Japanning that is about 90 percent intact from getting worse?
Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
Ralph
Replies
Ralph,
I have an old #3 that I cleaned up and fettled. It has become one of my favorite little planes, especially for working the edges of small boxes and drawers. I fitted my #3 with a Hock blade and couldn't be more satisfied with the match.
Good luck and have fun.
Bob, Tupper Lake, NY
Bob Kaune can tell what frog will work, and perhaps have one for you.
I have a #3C that I cleaned up, tuned and put a L-N blade in, nice little plane, I don’t use it all that much because the matching #4C is so close in size but one can never have to many planes!
It looks like a replacement frog for this plane is going to be 30 bucks.Anyone have any suggestions on the fastest way to flatten the sole?Ralph
$30 bucks. What's wrong with the frog that you have? Thirty dollars will buy a decent Type 11 No. 3 ready to fettle. You may be better off using your plane for parts and starting over with another plane. Just my $00.02 - I wish you the best of luck! The No. 3 is a very handy little plane.
-Jerry
"---fastest way to flatten a sole"
Fastest would be to take it to a machine shop! LOL
I use a long piece of glass with rolled abrasive paper on the top of it. I start with 100 or 120 and progress to 400 grit. It's still a bit of work depending on how bad the sole is but it goes pretty quickly. A #3 is a pretty small plane so it shouldn't take too long. I've done a couple of #7's and they are a lot of work!
Enjoy!
Mack"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"
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