Restoring a Wooden Hand Plane

Article 11: Restoring a Wooden Hand Plane

By: A Tool Rescuer at Heart

Old wooden hand planes are beautiful, functional, and often restorable. Here’s how to bring one back to working condition without destroying its soul.

Materials & Tools

• 320/600 grit sandpaper

• Linseed oil or paste wax

• Rust remover (Evapo-Rust or vinegar)

• Card scraper

• Leather strop and honing guide

Steps

1. Clean the Body

   • Wipe with mineral spirits.

   • Lightly sand to remove grime, not patina.

   • Oil or wax afterward.

2. Restore the Iron (Blade)

   • Soak in rust remover for several hours.

   • Flatten back on sharpening stone.

   • Hone bevel at 25° or 30°.

3. Check Sole Flatness

   • Use a flat reference and mark high spots.

   • Use sandpaper on flat surface to level.

4. Reassemble & Test

   • Install iron, adjust wedge.

   • Try on pine or poplar.

Visual: Plane Diagram

Side View:
 _______
|       |  <- Wooden body
|  |||  |  <- Iron + wedge
|_______|