Stanley 70 scraper

[Old tool guy]

I recently bought this scraper, I think I paid $12. Overall in very good condition. Little rust, much of the japanning is still present, all parts are there except the ferrule. Got a couple of questions.

First is the age. The trademark on the blade is Stanley Rule & Level Co which according to one source is 1874 - 1884. Any reason to think otherwise?

I think I can salvage the wood handle without much trouble. There was a pin holding the handle to the shank, pretty sure that’s not original. But, interestingly, the pin is in a through hole in the shank, and it stops exactly flush on the far side.

Looks like I can drive out a pin that holds the chip breaker in place, but the pivots for the head appear to be molded into the head. So I'm thinking the sides of the yoke need to be carefully spread apart.

 

[toolmiser]

I think that was used for scraping painted labels off of shipping boxes (crates). You can do what you wish-its yours, but I wouldn't try to pry on it. I know what would happen if it was mine.

 

[Old tool guy]

I know what would happen if it was mine.

Same thing that would happen to mine. I wanted to break it down, clean up, and re-japan.

 

[Shiftless]

Same thing that would happen to mine. I wanted to break it down, clean up, and re-japan.

Please share the details of your Japanning technique. (If you don’t mind)
I‘m thinking of Japanning a little Prentiss jewelers’ vise.

 

[RTM]

John Walter's bible on Stanley Tools puts it as made from 1877 to 1958.

 

[Old tool guy]

John Walter's bible on Stanley Tools puts it as made from 1877 to 1958.

That sounds right. And the trademark style narrows it down to a more specific period.

 

[Old tool guy]

Please share the details of your Japanning technique. (If you don’t mind)
I‘m thinking of Japanning a little Prentiss jewelers’ vise.

Several decent article on the web, i think i followed this one. https://www.timetestedtools.net/2019/12/07/japanning-or-the-art-of-embracing-the-arcane/
Really simple: clean well, paint on the goop, bake. I bought the rio grande product in the article, a little expensive for the size container, but it will last years. I bought a toaster oven at goodwill, use that in the garage. It smells like hot asphalt while curing, most people would object to that in the kitchen oven.

 

[Shiftless]

OTG:
Thanks for he very thorough and informative link. I have read half of it and I’m ready to start experimenting. As the author says, it’s gonna take a lot of time and will test my patience, I plan to mix my own using the 40-40-20 ratio. I assume that is percentage by volume and not by weight, right?

 

[Old tool guy]

. I assume that is percentage by volume and not by weight, right?

I bought the premix. Takes all the guesswork out.
Here’s before & after on a brace top knob.

 

[crguy]

I recently bought this scraper, I think I paid $12. Overall in very good condition. Little rust, much of the japanning is still present, all parts are there except the ferrule. Got a couple of questions.

First is the age. The trademark on the blade is Stanley Rule & Level Co which according to one source is 1874 - 1884. Any reason to think otherwise?

I think I can salvage the wood handle without much trouble. There was a pin holding the handle to the shank, pretty sure that’s not original. But, interestingly, the pin is in a through hole in the shank, and it stops exactly flush on the far side.

Looks like I can drive out a pin that holds the chip breaker in place, but the pivots for the head appear to be molded into the head. So I'm thinking the sides of the yoke need to be carefully spread apart.

You go spreading that cast iron yoke and you're going to have a broken piece. Why go to all the trouble of redoing the japanning? A few coats of good automotive quality spray can paint will look just as good at a fraction of the effort.

 

[Old tool guy]

You go spreading that cast iron yoke and you're going to have a broken piece. Why go to all the trouble of redoing the japanning? A few coats of good automotive quality spray can paint will look just as good at a fraction of the effort.

Part of me says … it was spread at original assembly. Part of me says … the spray paint … or nothing … is a safer route. And if it cracks or breaks there’s no turning back. It’s like tightening toilet bolts … get them just right, but avoid the dreaded “dink” sound.