I'm thinking about buying an old combination plane, but I'm concerned about rust and the lack of nickel plating, especially when it comes to the fence. Most good-condition planes are pretty pricey here in Europe, typically over 200€. I had my eye on the Stanley 45 or the Record 405, but I'm wondering if the rust will affect its operation?
3 Answers
Honestly, even if the plane doesn’t come with a wooden fence, you can always add one later. This shouldn't be an issue if you find a plane you like!
Rust on the fence shouldn’t be a huge concern! My Stanley 55 has a rosewood fence, and honestly, the wood isn't bothered by metal rust at all. Just scrub off the rust and give it a little oil, and you should be good to go. I feel you on the prices, they're really high! Just make sure to grab a good set of blades since they can be super expensive on their own.
Yeah, the same goes for the Stanley 45! They really have similar setups.
I haven't had any issues with rust on my 45. My workshop is pretty dry, and I keep it stored in a box, which might help minimize rust problems.
No worries! I get it, English can be tricky sometimes. But about the fence rods, you might want to take care of any rust there too.