Fixing up a stick and rabbet (sash molding) plane, a question on reseating boxing
On Saturday, I have bought yet another laundry basket-load of wooden planes for pocket change. This time, a couple of very pleasant surprises were included... an American stick and rabbet plane made by a Gilbert Wright Denison between 1868 and 1890 in Winthrop, Connecticut. I live in France, so it's an unexpected find. The other good surprise was that the basket included the missing iron from a French-style match plane (tongue and groove pair, as one plane) that was in the previous basket of planes from the same seller.
Here's the Stick and Rabbet after the initial cleanup
The plane isn't without issues, but it's hard to complain because of its age and also the price paid for the lot. The next couple of issues I'll try to address are the boxing at the toe and the missing screw.
For the boxing issue, what would be the best way to fix it? I was thinking about steaming the piece and carefully knocking/prying it out. I could then clean up both the boxing and its groove, glue and clamp it back together. Is there a better way to go about it?
Posted Jul 24, 2017, 7:39 PM UTC
Honestly, I don't think you're going to get rid of that gap without creating a new piece of boxing or putting a shim in there. It looks very much like the body has slightly warped/moved to make such a gap.
I'd say leave it, but if you plan to use it, that sliver of boxwood is sure to get damaged.
Were I you, I think I'd do a shim. I don't think you're going to be able to clamp that shut.
Well spotted, there is indeed the tiniest crack at the base of the groove on the toe side and I think it warped there. I was hoping that steam and clamping would take care of that in the process, but you may be right.
Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to impact the use of the plane that much, but it does look off.