I pulled out what I presumed was my Stanley 5 1/2 to give it a tune up this weekend, and I now realize that besides having what probably is a Frankenplane, I have a plane with a sole truly out of flat. The plane bellies at the mouth which is a 1/16" lower than either the heel and toe. The sole is also cupped across its width, and is waney on the diagonals.
Even if I could lap the sole flat on my glass and sandpaper set up -- which seems like a lifetime of work -- I would end up thinning the sole at the mouth, while widening it considerably. Neither seems like a welcome proposition.
Any thoughts on how I might proceed to fettle this plane? Is it worth sending out to have the sole trued?
The only markings on the plane are the "5 1/2" embossed into the toe and a faint "Stanley" mark on the lateral adjuster. No patent date or numbers anywhere. Not sure if it is black from Japaning or a paint job. Also, ignore what appears to be hand scraping marks on the sole; this is a shadow pattern left by the non-skid mat the plane was resting on inside a drawer.
A few pictures.
[attachment=5025][attachment=5026][attachment=5027][attachment=5028]
In my shop it would be called a donor. Maybe you can find a better sole and transfer most of your parts.
(10-14-2017, 09:45 PM)JimReed@Tallahassee Wrote: [ -> ]In my shop it would be called a donor. Maybe you can find a better sole and transfer most of your parts.
I suspected as much.
Get a big rough cut file and go to town, it will take off material fast, 12-14 inch is what I would recommend.
Slav
(10-15-2017, 12:19 AM)Slav Jelesijevich Wrote: [ -> ]Get a big rough cut file and go to town, it will take off material fast, 12-14 inch is what I would recommend.
Slav
/\ This
I've went this route on a couple really bad planes. Used a Sharpie and sandpaper to check progress. As for opening of the mouth, I have a smoother that had the throat opened up so much that it looked like you could throw a cat through it, I adjusted the frog and set the chipbreaker tight and went on with it.
Thats to nice a looking plane for it's age not to give it a go.
(10-15-2017, 05:48 AM)Laid-Back Wrote: [ -> ]/\ This
I've went this route on a couple really bad planes. Used a Sharpie and sandpaper to check progress. As for opening of the mouth, I have a smoother that had the throat opened up so much that it looked like you could throw a cat through it, I adjusted the frog and set the chipbreaker tight and went on with it.
Thats to nice a looking plane for it's age not to give it a go.
Yes, don't be concerned with the mouth on a # 5 1/2 in my opinion. Give it a go at "flattening"... but I encourage you that after awhile of "flattening", go try to plane some boards with it... let that be your test... more so than a strait edge...
I'll add my 2 cents; +1 for everything above. The frog adjustment should close your mouth just fine. On a jack, I would worry too much about the sole being perfectly flat. So long as the toe, mouth, and heel are pretty close, the plane will function just fine.
Have a go with a file, then your sand paper, then test on some boards. It's the best way to check, without a doubt.
David
+1 on taking a file to it, you got nothing to lose. Again, just get it close and see how it works, you will be pleasantly surprised.
I had at it a bit this afternoon. A lot of "planing" on 60 grit sandpaper atop 5/8" thick glass. I've made a lot of progress, but I think I'm going to have to get out the files -- as recommended -- and draw some iron.
Thanks for the encouragement!
All the finest -- from Los Angeles. Greg
(10-14-2017, 09:10 PM)gregbois Wrote: [ -> ]I pulled out what I presumed was my Stanley 5 1/2 to give it a tune up this weekend, and I now realize that besides having what probably is a Frankenplane, I have a plane with a sole truly out of flat. The plane bellies at the mouth which is a 1/16" lower than either the heel and toe. The sole is also cupped across its width, and is waney on the diagonals.
Even if I could lap the sole flat on my glass and sandpaper set up -- which seems like a lifetime of work -- I would end up thinning the sole at the mouth, while widening it considerably. Neither seems like a welcome proposition.
Any thoughts on how I might proceed to fettle this plane? Is it worth sending out to have the sole trued?
The only markings on the plane are the "5 1/2" embossed into the toe and a faint "Stanley" mark on the lateral adjuster. No patent date or numbers anywhere. Not sure if it is black from Japaning or a paint job. Also, ignore what appears to be hand scraping marks on the sole; this is a shadow pattern left by the non-skid mat the plane was resting on inside a drawer.
A few pictures.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Any thoughts on how I might proceed to fettle this plane? Is it worth sending out to have the sole trued?
If it were mine, I would flatten the sole on my 6X48" stationary belt grinder.