Cleaning
Let me start off by saying this is not a curatorial approach. This is about taking an old tool that has no specific historical value and restoring it to working order. If you have a tool that you believe has some objective historical value (due to the maker, time/place of manufacture, or feature/process), then please, handle it appropriately.
If, on the other hand, you have a musty molding plane from the early 18th Century. Perhaps a nice cock bead plane from England, then by all means, Let's get cracking. The rest of this assumes a molding plane just to make it simple.
| Cleaner: | |
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Prior to use, shake to mix thoroughly. You may want to do this in a well venilated area. Apply by working it into the surface with a cotton cloth, for heavier dirt, use a green 3M pad or 0000 steel wool. Leave for several minutes then buff with a clean cotton cloth. Follow with either wax or glop (see below). To make a quart of the cleaner:
This isn't that kind of chemistry. You don't need to be super precise here. Mix it up and store it in a sealed glass jar. | |
First, let's make sure this is going to be worth our effort.
- Is it structurally sound? At least well enough for the level of use we're likely to require?
- Common issues include cracks, checking, missing chunks
- Does it have wood borer holes? A couple of holes are OK, many holes are not.
- Is the proper blade present (if appropriate)? Or you can provide a replacement?
- If it has any controls, adjusters, fences, etc. Are they present and functional? Or at least repairable?
OK, we have a tool that's structurally sound and liable to stay that way for now. Let's start with gross cleaning.
Even though I am not attempting preservation per se, I would rather avoid removing material. So let's not sand stuff unless it's absolutely necessary. I have used a scraper, carefully, to remove paint, glue and other blap. For instance, the traditional plane sole lubricant in England is tallow. This gets everywhere and leaves molding planes especially with a waxy buildup where you would hold the plane. It's ugly, but it comes off with some work.
Remove the iron and wedge and set them aside. If the wood finish is:
- In good shape and clean: wipe down with BLO or wax depending on the tool/intended use.
- In good shape, but dirty: scrub it with cleaner (see sidebar)
- In poor shape, scrub it with cleaner, slather it with glop (see lower sidebar), and then wipe it down.
| Glop: | |
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If done right, this will have the consistency of mayonnaise. Apply liberally with a rag (I leave a small square in the jar), let sit for a while, then wipe off the excess and buff the item. To make a quart of the glop:
Like with the cleaner, exactness isn't required. Start by shaving 8 oz. or so of beeswax into a jar set in a double boiler and let it melt. Add the BLO and mix it thoroughly, then let it warm up. Finally, mix in your mineral spirits and remove from heat. If when cool it's too hard, melt it and add more BLO and mineral spirits. If too soft, go back and add more wax. You can't ruin it, just mess with it until you get it right. But. You can start a cheery blaze. All three ingredients are flammable. Caution is recommended. | |
Inspect the wedge. If it's broken or cracked, make a new one. You're a woodworker, right? This is a noble death for those molding planes that can't be saved, saw them up into wedge stock. At least it will be the right wood and close in age.
Now, look at the iron. In general, sharpening the iron of a molding plane is accomplished by abrading the BACK of the iron. Messing with the profile is not recommended. It's very easy to alter the profile and then the bed doesn't match the iron. So if the profile is rusty or needs work, gentle is the way to go.
