My first old hardware store score..

[Jamie_h]

First post, been browsing for awhile. The thread from the last few days of the Hardware store in PA with the old stock got me fired up to visit some local stores. Yesterday, store number one yielded nothing. Today, score! On the shelf was a Stanley Bailey No. 3 handplane, appears to be type 19, made in 1948-1961. Will be a good user plane once cleaned up, as it has a layer of surface rust and dust. Store owner said, "Huh. I forgot I had that. Lemme see if its still in our inventory". He pulled out a large book and started flipping pages. "Yep, appears we had it since 1950. How about 30 bucks?" Not the greatest price, but the fact I have a tool from a local hardware store thats been in stock was good enough for me. I would have overpaid for it. Thrill of the hunt!


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[Bull]

In stock since 1950? Damn!

 

[battlegraduate09]

thats pretty dang cool

 

[Muffduster]

What motor do you have in your F150?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Wow! That's a good score!!

 

[billymade]

Looks like a good candidate for Evaporust! I wonder if this thing is worth a bunch of dough on ebay? "NOS Stanley Bailey No. 3 handplane" sounds like a perfect beginning of a killer eBay ad!

 

[Jamie_h]

Thanks for the comments guys. I tore it apart last night and soaked it in oxalic acid (wood bleach). All the surface rust is gone. Will start restoration tonight..usually I lap the sole with some sandpaper, clean it up, sharpen the blade, oil it, and good to go. I also might knock some of the finish of the wood knobs..its a bit sticky. Will post pics when done..

Billymade-Its not particularly rare or sought after...but thats a good ebay tagline!

Muffduster-5.4L V8.

 

[Trucky]

Lookin good! I've never done that much woodworking so a plane is usually not on my radar but I do believe the local shop has a few of them.

What is this wood bleach you mentioned? Does it remove light surface rust very well, or was it just something you had to use?

 

[Jamie_h]

Trucky-The wood bleach is a wood deck cleaning product. I think some have oxalic acid as the main ingredient, some may not. The guys who restore rusty chrome bicycles on a forum I go to swear by it. It can work wonders. I have used it twice before on some handplanes and it worked great. I put about a half cup to a few gallons of water and check it periodically. I took the parts out of the bath this morning and they looked good and rust free. Any rust still present will usually just wipe off. Some people are anti chemical on restorations, some are pro chemical. All depends on what you want to do.

 

[Bull]

You sound like the type of fellow who should have joined this place a good long while ago; welcome aboard!

 

[nine4gmc]

whats up Monroe! I'm down here in BR, nice score on some NOS!

 

[box]

Trucky-The wood bleach is a wood deck cleaning product. I think some have oxalic acid as the main ingredient

a tad off topic but if your looking for oxalic acid try "bar keepers friend" I dilute and use as wood bleach on teak, works wonders and saves ALOT of dollars verse products advertised as "wood bleach or cleaner"

never tried on tools but will be tomorrow!

 

[Trucky]

I'll have to try that out! Any particulars on the material of the container? Does it eat through anything? I'm always cautious with anything acidic or caustic, especially when it takes rust off.

 

[Jamie_h]

Trucky-I use a plastic storage container. Nothing fancy. Check your part every few hours if you are worried. I left the plane body in overnight, and the surface rust wiped off. I just put another plane body in just now, that was worse off than the plane above. Will post before and after pics tomorrow.