Early Access Video: Restoring the Stanley No. 1
Added 2021-07-10 11:00:04 +0000 UTCFriends:
I'm delighted to bring you my restoration of the rarest Stanley bench plane in the world: the storied No. 1! Stanley's most adorable plane is also the most valuable they ever made with even mediocre examples going for $1000 or more. One of my viewers (who just joined us here in the community) leant me his No. 1 in exchange for a restoration.
I put a LOT of tips and tricks into this video. It's stuff you can use on any old plane, even if it's only worth $5.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
I laughed out loud at the music bed for the final comparison. 🤣
Jamie Phelps
2021-07-14 18:24:34 +0000 UTCI recently got 3 hand planes for a good price. One is a type 3 bedrock 604 in decent condition that I want to take a more collectable-minded approach to (I am going to use it though). The 5 and 6 are post-war and in worse shape and I want a more aggressive/creative approach with them. I'm curious what's okay to do for cheaper planes that is a no-no for a 1900-08 bedrock? What do you repair vs replace?
Jeff Good
2021-07-14 14:28:30 +0000 UTCGood takeaway at the end.
A1BASE
2021-07-13 02:27:58 +0000 UTCHey Rex, at 13.36 you see the regular pattern on your sandpaper? That can only be because the paper isn’t perfectly flat. I’d guess that the glass you’ve got isn’t float glass? You might get even more consistent results with a more level substrate to your sanding surface. I’ve been trying to convince myself for YEARS that a granite surface plate would be a legitimate purchase. 😂
A1BASE
2021-07-13 02:22:31 +0000 UTCThis was a really great informative and entertaining video. I was all set to try and find a #1, but after watching you trying to hold it, I said never mind. Kind of a plane restoration video in miniature.
Iron Regimenti
2021-07-12 18:03:25 +0000 UTCFair enough I know how that goes. Shoot me a message if you need a hand
Jeremy Carlsten
2021-07-11 15:28:39 +0000 UTCI wish you great luck in your restorations!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:50:35 +0000 UTCCould be and that's a theory that's out there. Seems like an expensive sample, so I don't kow.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:50:09 +0000 UTCI was....anxious.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:49:23 +0000 UTCThat's how I feel about it!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:49:10 +0000 UTCCrap. That's a good point. I'm going to need to put a note in the video.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:48:54 +0000 UTCThat IS a very good tip!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:48:16 +0000 UTCMan, that whole site is such a nightmare. It needs a complete overhaul, but the book has just sucked up so much time. Another thing on the list....
Rex Krueger
2021-07-11 11:47:42 +0000 UTCI’ve watch several of your sharping videos and maybe a restoration video early on. Those enabled me to restore my Craftsman No 4 (which was made by Stanley) that I bought in the early seventies. It had been left to rust in my garage. It’s working fabulously from using what I learned and I’ve even plane plywood edges. However, I missed or forgot the part on sharpening the frog. I did notice that the chips tended to cling to the plane. I’ll have to apply your techniques during my next sharping to tune the frog up. I also going to acquire some planes my father had soon. They are most likely over a hundred years old. So I’ll be watching this video a bunch so I get their restoration right.
Richard C von Brecht
2021-07-11 02:52:23 +0000 UTCThank you Rex for another interesting restoration video. Would it be possible that the #1 was a sales model or promotional item similar to miniature tool chests and other items used by traveling salesmen? Just a thought. Glad to see you in better shape. Take care and have a great week ahead.
Matt Evans-Koch
2021-07-10 23:59:00 +0000 UTCGreat job on the restoration.... that pin removal would have given me the sweats.
Dan Weiss
2021-07-10 23:58:13 +0000 UTCLoved the video, and it also convinced me NOT to get a #1! Everything I want to do I can do with my the 10 planes I have already accumulated! But it was fun seeing the #I in action!
Gerald Eddy
2021-07-10 22:41:46 +0000 UTCgreat vid!!
Jared Leff
2021-07-10 19:41:03 +0000 UTCWhen hammering out a tapered pin shouldn't you hammer from the narrow side into the wider side? Not sure if I misunderstood the videos description Great job on the restoration!
Henry Amador
2021-07-10 18:40:26 +0000 UTCIt was my pleasure.
Alfred Huff
2021-07-10 17:50:55 +0000 UTCWish I had seen this years ago. Luckily I didn't destroy my Dad's planes when I restored them. I did do one thing I've never heard suggested, though. The japanning on both planes I reworked was coming loose from the bases and curling up. I tried removing it with little success. By a stroke of novice genius I decided to give the stripped down bases a trip through our self-cleaning oven. This turned the japanning to fluffy white ash. After washing and de-rusting, I masked them up and painted with Hi-Temp black engine paint. Doesn't look like japanning, but still looks good.
James Fleming
2021-07-10 16:56:37 +0000 UTCRex, awesome vid. I checked out rexkrueger.com and being a web developer, I feel like I should tell you your new book isn't on the website.
Jeremy Carlsten
2021-07-10 16:34:41 +0000 UTCVery glad it was useful!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 15:39:04 +0000 UTCI wanted to just make a video about the No 1, but I couldn't think of enough stuff to say! So I did the restoration video instead.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 15:38:44 +0000 UTCI think some ultra-careful restorers like the chemicals for their gentle nature. I'm sure there are some good applications, or no one would make the chemicals!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 15:38:04 +0000 UTCThanks for lending me the plane! The whole project depended on you!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 15:37:16 +0000 UTCYour restoration videos made me buy my first planes and get them up an running. Not perfect as my sharpening is still not the best but they work. It was good to go through that process once again with a funny little plane.
Otakar Schön
2021-07-10 14:17:43 +0000 UTCThis is great! I honestly had no interest at all in the No. 1, I have the same take on it as you, and don’t find that it would really be useful. But you packed plenty of useful info into the video about restoration methods and sharpening, that I found a great deal of value in this video, despite my disinterest in the No. 1. Thank you!
Aaron Wasielewski
2021-07-10 13:46:34 +0000 UTCExcellent video, as always, Rex. This will now be my go-to video for plane restorations. You’ve also convinced me to forego the chemicals and go straight to the wire wheels. Should save a great deal of time. Thanks for all the tips and tricks. It’s great to have you back healthy and enthusiastic!
Russell Gough
2021-07-10 13:27:23 +0000 UTCHey Rex, It's good to see that you are feeling better and thanks again for helping out with the restoration. I'm glad you left as much caracter as you could. You did an amazing job!!!! I love it!!!!
Alfred Huff
2021-07-10 13:17:42 +0000 UTCJust finishing my second cup right now!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:04:34 +0000 UTCThank you! It's nice to know I can move a few books.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:04:16 +0000 UTCThat is one I have not tried!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:03:52 +0000 UTCIn my experience, the chemicals take a bunch more time and they add steps like removing residue and drying the body. They also (as you point out) strip off the japaning, which is not desirable in most cases. The wire wheel is pretty much instant, introduces no water, and I'm on to the next step.
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:03:36 +0000 UTCMuch better, thank you!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:01:49 +0000 UTCI even find the 3 a little tight, but I've used them with young students and they were perfect!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 13:01:38 +0000 UTCOnce again you've done a fantastic job. Coffee and a Rex Video. Always a good start to a Saturday. Thank you. Glad your book is selling so well. You deserve it.
John Hiemstra
2021-07-10 12:47:41 +0000 UTCThanks for helping me start out my Saturday morning great. I love your restoration stuff. The book sold out! That's amazing! Congratulations!
Joshua Stewart
2021-07-10 12:30:12 +0000 UTCWhat an absolutely fun resto! I am super jealous! When restoring planes we all do similar techniques. Lately I have been using a scraping knife to work off rust. This tends to leave intact the glorious patina that is hidden beneath the rust.
Hansenomics
2021-07-10 12:20:29 +0000 UTCI enjoyed this video very much. I recently attempted to restore two planes. A Bailey #5 and a Craftsman#4. The Bailey was done by hand with sandpaper to remove rust. It took a long time and was a lot of work. On the Craftsman I used a rust removing product. That saved a lot of work and helped the restoration go faster. I have a question, and my goal is to learn and not criticize. Why did you choose sanding over chemical rust removal or electrolysis? Was it due to the idea that chemical rust removal might harm the patina you were trying to keep? On the Craftsman plane the chemical took not only the rust but also the “paint” off the body and left the inside looking like grey primer. Rust free and smooth but took the black coating off too. Thank you very much for this video.
Paul Ladd
2021-07-10 12:16:21 +0000 UTCHope you are feeling a whole lot better today. Great Video!
Marc Barash
2021-07-10 11:38:34 +0000 UTCNever seen a No.1 in person. I have held a No.2 but honestly, No.3 is about the smallest useful size. Perhaps this is why this was the smallest size made by Stanley England and Stanley Australia.
Martin Hartley
2021-07-10 11:20:05 +0000 UTCYou deserve it!
Rex Krueger
2021-07-10 11:15:33 +0000 UTCAn early access video to begin my Saturday? Don't mind if I do! You shouldn't treat us so well Rex. owo
Travis Curtis
2021-07-10 11:02:46 +0000 UTC
