Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum and just picked up what I think is a vintage Stanley plane at a flea market for a few bucks. It's a fun little project for me to restore it back to working order. The blade is really dull and far from square, but my main question is about the shoe (is that the right term?). After some light research, I think it's a Stanley Type 7 Number 4. I've noticed that the top part of the shoe was originally painted black, but mine is a mix of black and bare metal, which I thought was just rust and grime at first. Now I'm wondering if I should try to get all the paint off or repaint it? Does the paint have a purpose, or is bare metal going to cause issues? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
For a Type 7 Stanley plane, keep an eye out for the S on the castings of the various parts like the lever cap and sole. If you’re looking for more info, I saved this type study page in case you find it useful: [web.archive link]. When repainting, it's usually more comfortable against the hands than bare metal. Just make sure to let the paint cure in a warm spot for a few days to harden it up. Using UV lamps can speed up the drying process too!
Hey! What you’re seeing is likely the factory japanning, which helps protect the metal. It’s usually best to leave it as is unless it’s in really bad shape. If you want it to look nice, you can use a strong paint remover and then apply high-temperature spray paint to restore that classic look. Just remember, the metal needs some sort of protection!
Just a heads up, you’re actually calling the sole the shoe! But no worries, it’s an easy mix-up. It’s been great discussing all this and I hope your restoration goes smoothly!
So close! Thanks for correcting me. I really appreciate everyone’s input here!
Japanning! I saw that term mentioned a few times while doing my research. I didn’t know what it meant, so thanks for explaining! This is super helpful.