PEP BB tool.wood.planer - Sharpen a Hand Planer

This is a W Butcher No 4 hand plane, with a cast stainless steel blade, that I bought from a salvage shop last week.



I removed the blade which was rusty and notched





I soaked for 24 hours in vinegar



I cleaned the blade with 240 grit sandpaper

Then I used a 240 grit sharpening stone on the back, lying the blade flat and then the front, at approximately 25’ angle. I can hear and feel when the blade is flush with the block.





I worked through 240, 1000, 3000 and 8000 grit stones



Because of there was pitting from the rust and a deep notch, I spent a long time on just the 240 removing quite a bit of metal. Here are both sides half way through, still notched





Eventually I had a clean edge and polish on both sides





It works. I haven’t used a plane like this before. I need to further research as it’s really hard to get the blade horizontal and the right depth to shave even, paper thin strips.



I cleaned the plane wood and oiled with walnut oil. Here is the makers mark:

I've been working on this for a while now. I'm taking a beer break. I've got a deep spot in this plane and grinding it out is taking forever. I'm up to something like 2500 strokes on 150 grit.



This picture was earlier in the process before I got frustrated and went out to buy the rougher grit stone.

Time to get out a belt sander?

Mike Haasl wrote:Time to get out a belt sander?

I don't own one. I think that's an acceptable solution for many people though.

For me I've decided to frame this in the following way:

I screwed up the bevel due to lack of experience in sharpening. By the time I get this deep spot ground out my hands will be tougher, stronger, and have a much better muscle memory for sharpening. I'm in no urgent rush to finish the task so I can work on it here and there as my time allows. While I count out strokes my mind does not wander. It's part mindfulness meditation and part exercise.

If I were an apprentice in old school Japan, I bet the master wouldn't have let me go home until I got that bevel flat.

Thus through sharpening my world view is revealed.

I finally got the bevel flat, and then I discovered the hard steel is cracked. I don't know how it cracked. The only thing I can think of is it got too hot while grinding, but I was keeping it cool with water as I went.

*Sigh*

Anyway, it seems like 80 grit sandpaper on glass is the quickest way to remove steel for me.

Hello everyone

Please find attached the pictures for my submission.
If I missed something please let me know.
Some explanation: wanted to reschape the blade as to have more of a smoother plane.

Kind regards!