Hello, I wonder if anyone can help.
I’ve got another of my grandfather’s planes in need of some love. His No.5 Jack plane is actually in pretty good condition with a flat sole and minimal pitting. On the downside the handle is broken and the Toe screw for the back handle is missing.
I understand that the screw threads are specific to stanley and scouring ebay i see there are some very expensive replacement part kits, but even a screw is £20 with postage.
And this is why companies updating their parts to match modernised standards is to be applauded: a 9/32 inch screw to an almost obsolete thread form. Sigh.
A brief look online points to modding other screws to get some form of fit. People are also discussing making their own taps and dies for these threads as the screws are so hard to come by. Might be a nice little earner for the space if we managed it!
Suggestion from my BIL - is there enough meat left on there to try drilling out on the mill and re-tapping with a more convenient standard thread? Or an insert?
If you can find a thread with the same t.p.i. as the Stanley then you’re in business.
It was pointed out by my carpenter brother that (depending on how many you have of these), for the sake of the sentimental value of the plane, it might just be worth paying the £20 for the screw. Check the condition of the thread - if free of rust and damage I’d probably opt for that and save myself the trouble of trying to re-tap a blind hole in a casting.
thanks for ideas!
My grandad died when I was a nipper so i’ll never know if he would want me to hack it but I suspect so. It is said that it cost him 3 months salary so I don’t feel too bad about spending a few bob.
Getting there. I decided to order spare frog screws (£2) which fits the thread and cut it to length with a hacksaw which worked a treat. It needs to be rounded to match the original.
I took most of the Japanning (black coating) off and it looks pretty cool but the intention is to use mix of asphaltum + varnish as a replacement coating.
so I don’t feel too bad about spending a few bob.
