I need help with 2 wood planes I bought

[ncrebel]

I bought 2 very very dirty, dusty wooden body planes 2 days ago for $40.00 and I need help fixing a problem with both of them.
The first one is a Jointer plane by Edward Carter, Troy. NY plane blade markings W.Butcher Warranted, Cast Steel, the body of the plane is very good, and the plane looks like it was hardly used.
The problem is the mortis or pocket for the tote. The tote no longer fits due to the fact the plane has sat outside in a barn, the wood has expanded and shrunk with the changes in the weather and mortis for the tote has become a bit bigger and the tote will no longer fit.
When you put the handle in, there is a gap on each side of the tote the size of a piece of paper folded twice.
How do I fix this problem, and is this plane valuable?

My 2nd plane is a jack plane by Scioto Works, I am not sure but the mortis for tote seems to be enlarged, and tote it self seems larger, I already have Scioto jack and the tote on mine seems smaller, i will post pics and see what you guys think.
Also if any of you have a Scioto jack plane please let me know what kind of wood the striker button is made of, I will have to make new one for it, because it is missing.

Thanks

 

[crguy]

I bought 2 very very dirty, dusty wooden body planes 2 days ago for $40.00 and I need help fixing a problem with both of them.
The first one is a Jointer plane by Edward Carter, Troy. NY plane blade markings W.Butcher Warranted, Cast Steel, the body of the plane is very good, and the plane looks like it was hardly used.
The problem is the mortis or pocket for the tote. The tote no longer fits due to the fact the plane has sat outside in a barn, the wood has expanded and shrunk with the changes in the weather and mortis for the tote has become a bit bigger and the tote will no longer fit.
When you put the handle in, there is a gap on each side of the tote the size of a piece of paper folded twice.
How do I fix this problem, and is this plane valuable?

My 2nd plane is a jack plane by Scioto Works, I am not sure but the mortis for tote seems to be enlarged, and tote it self seems larger, I already have Scioto jack and the tote on mine seems smaller, i will post pics and see what you guys think.
Also if any of you have a Scioto jack plane please let me know what kind of wood the striker button is made of, I will have to make new one for it, because it is missing.

Thanks

The smaller one is clearly rotted beyond logical repair. You can shim the handle pocket on the other. It doesn't have collectible value.

 

[RTM]

As above, pretty bad shape. And neither is worth much more than $20 as is, even as a donor/ parts kit. As users, they might become great, but probably worth nothing more.

Depending on your tools, you could shave (bandsaw) the bottom off the base of the nasty one, and put a layer of hardwood on what’s left, and make a two tone plane. By opening the mouth carefully, (chisel the mouth til the angles meet, then plane away the rest of the Ipe til it cuts) you could make a beastly heavy plane with a tight mouth. I have a Scioto which is very dense, plows thru anything.

This one is an Ipe sole on a standard transitional wooden body.

FULTON brand Hand Tools (Sears private label brand) 11/14/25

Interesting. "Fulton" and "Merit" were both private label brand names used by Sears Roebuck. Curious to see both names stamped on an object.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[RTM]

As far as reattaching the tote, mine seat or wedge into the front side of the mortise, so making sure it sits all the way forward is key, to take the force you are applying with minimal stress on the joint. Then close the side gaps with a bit of veneer, oriented the long direction of the body. Make sure the bottom of the tote and the top of the mortise are very smooth for a good glue joint, one of mine has a screw on the back end of the tote, not sure if it was user added. Hide glue is traditional, and reversible, in case you don’t like your work.

You can also go really nuts, make a custom tote that is perfect for your hand, sized perfectly for the opening with only space for a thin layer of glue. Angled specifically for your working style. So many options.

 

[ncrebel]

Thanks RTM, I`ll try cutting some very thin strips of wood to make the tote fit, as for the Scioto Works Jack not sure what to do with it, sole of the plane is still hard and flat. The Jointer Plane I will keep, I dont have one in my collection.
I don't want to keep the Scioto one, just fix it up, I have already a early Scioto jack that I use

 

[RTM]

I don't want to keep the Scioto one, just fix it up, I have already a early Scioto jack that I use

Here are my 26" and 22" Scioto planes. The front one has a replaced handle, as it was knocked off a display shelf by an excited child. 2008




The front 22" Scioto was bought a few years later, and has a metal strike button. I could not find it listed in a catalog back then. 2012




The back right Razer Jointer is 25" long. 2013



Here are some Ohio Tool catalogs, might tell you what your strike button might be.

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

The 1910 catalog has Scioto on pgs 22 & 23. Note the bolted handles on the listings

 

[ncrebel]

Thanks again RTM
My Scioto Jack plane also has a metal striker button, 4 hours ago I got my answer to what type of wood the striker button was made of on the Scioto Jack that was missing I bought, its Lignum vitae.
I had a feeling it was, but had to make sure.