Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi guys,

Yesterday I picked up a little Stanley No. 18 block plane (1899 or so) for only $25 that is in great condition. So, today I am working on cleaning it up and getting it ready to do some work on my neck scarf joint.

Question - I have looked all over this darned WWW and can't find any instructions on how to take the adjustable throat/mouth plate off to clean it out so it will slide easier and over a greater range. Right now it is pretty gunked up I think.

Any one know how this is done? i thought it might slide out forward or backward, but i dont' want to break anything trying to get it lose.
thanks - justin

Try unscrewing the knob that holds the toe piece, and it should just drop away from the sole, unless it is stuck. But, that should do it! (This from someone who has never tried it, and since I am at work, can't get to the shop).

Yes,
That is how it works. I had taken the screw out and messed with it a bit but it was so tight I thought there might be a lip that it slid on or something. Finally, I asked my brother what he thought and he said, "just push harder". I don't think this is very good advice but it worked in this case.

It is now sliding nicely and all cleaned up, ready to cut some wood!

Excellent, now a little wax on that bit, and she's good for another hundred years or so.

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I can see why it would be a favorite.
This afternoon was the first time I used it after getting it cleaned up and sharpened. It worked great - I was just making some cam clamps, but it was a pleasure to use. I am impressed at the number of adjustment features they crammed into that little buddy. I am going to cherrish this one.

You say to use wax, huh? What kind of wax? and do I just spread a little bit in the adjustable mouth plate or other places too?

thanks - justin

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Thanks Tony,

I'll have to pick up some bees wax and cammellia oil some place. I imagine you only need to very lightly apply wax to the sole and the adjustable plate.

I have read that wax on the sole helps you plane much easier, but - does this ever leave wax in the pores of the wood you are planing? This seems like a bad idea for work on guitars.

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