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Current project is more "woodworking related" than woodworking. I'm bringing a 1946 Stanley #4 plane back to life. Pics to come...

ebay link didn't work -- before pics are in a post below....

What I didn't know was that somewhere along the line (I suspect the seller) a coat of black spray paint was applied over some rust and gunk. So the "japaning" wasn't as good as might seem.

Based on all I can determine this plane was made somewhere between 1946 and 1948. At this point Stanley stopped making the rosewood knob and tote and began making them out of beech which was in turn painted.

Since my goal was a a workable tool, not a collector's item, I decided to strip the black paint and remaining japaning and give the plane a fresh coat of paint. The tote and knob also received a bath in paint remover followed by an afternoon on the porch with some ice tea (for me) and sandpaper (for the wood). The raw beech wasn't the prettiest thing I've ever seen, so I gave it a light coloring with some Minwax stain I happened to have from a previous project. After the stain dryed, I applied shellac, and buffed with fine steel wool when dry.

Following stripping the paint, the plane was completely disassembled and the metal parts given a bath overnight in EvapoRust. The cast iron parts were then touched up with a Dremel wire brush and grinder, then masked and painted with Rustoleum Satin Black. After initial drying they then spent about a half hour in an oven at 200 degrees. All the shiny metal bits got a bit of attention with 000 steel wool and with a buffing wheel. The sides and bottom of the base spent some quality time with a Scotchbrite pad.

I did some needed fettling to the frog and base, and then reassembled. Here are the end results - all ready for another 60 years:

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Looks outstanding Paul. Perfect restoration.

The ebay link is no good. Got any before pics you took?

I could kick myself, but I didn't take any pics before I started. Here are a few from ebay:

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And before the last pic, thank you for the kind words...
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I really enjoyed the restoration, and love the way it feels in my hands. Even though the stained beech doesn't compete with the rosewood, I think it turned out OK for a tool meant to be used, and to my eye looks better than painted black.

Once I have the blade properly sharpened I'll post some more. In the meantime I'm trying to decide what additional planes I need (READ: can fool myself in to thinking I need). Right now I'm thinking of a #5 Jack Plane, a Block plane (low or standard ?), and perhaps a #7 just for looks.

Of course then I have to decide if my use will justify upgraded blades and/or chipbreakers such as those from Hock or Lie-Nielson.

This is great! Absolutely no apologies needed for methods or materials. Things like these are just wonderful projects that become wonderful tools.

I don't know if you were aware of it when you purchased this plane but the most important ebay photo was the one that showed the "Bailey" marking. All old Stanley planes are not alike and you got the good one. I have an old Stanley Bailey that I used for years to plane planking edges and it is a great tool. The fit and finish are better than the standard Stanleys and the steel in the iron is likely better as well.I don't remember the name for my plane's size, smooth plane maybe, but it's the next smaller one after the jointer, about a foot long. Stanley Bailey is one of those names you keep your eye open for at garage sales and the like. Another is Disston Philadelphia in handsaws. Again all Disstons are not equal.


Edit: It's a Fore Plane and it's17" long.


Paul M

Beautiful restoration and the handles are outstanding!

Paul,

Great job on the plane.
You might want to take a look at Handplane Essentials by Christopher Schwarz. I got this book for Christmas and it is one of the few woodworking books I have actually read cover to cover. Lots of good information and well presented. It appears that the book is a collection of articles written for a magazine (Popular Woodworking?) As I haven't been subscribing it was all new to me. I think you will find the book of great use in selecting, restoring, and using your growing collection of handplanes.

Troy

Paul

Great looking restoration on the plane!! I'd say it's good for many more years and someday someone else will appreciate you bringing it back to a fully functional tool with history behind it. Kudos to you!!