Should I flatten sole of Stanley No.18 (Nickel plated)
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Oh yeah, nicely spotted Craig – I stupidly thought the photo was of the actual plane – that’ll teach me to read the post properly in future 🙂
Apologies for the extended delay everyone! (my 1986 Server was never designed for USB).
If you don’t mind re-visiting my conundrum, I’d appreciate your additional comments, now that I have photos.
I haven’t done anything with the plane as-yet (although I do like your thinking Larry/Steve; – just use it and enjoy it), although it would feel a little destructive to see the finish erode (perhaps through a layer of copper) down to bare steel in places. It cost me about USD $78 from The States, which I think is adding to my concern. I thought I was buying a USER, but think I might have bought a DISPLAY PIECE.
I inserted a printed sheet beneath, so you can see just how reflective it is.
I wouldn’t flatten anything the way the sole is reflecting the image looks pretty flat as is. Either use it or put it on the shelf as a collector piece. ( to my mind an unused tool is dead, but your choice)
The other good news is that the logo and patent date puts your plane in the few years between 1913 and 1919. Planes after that had a Sweetheart logo and/or lost the patent date after about 1935.
The patent is for a revised knuckle. The earlier edition was prone to break. The only thing I’d worry about is that you don’t get the knuckle adjusted too tight. It is possible to get stress cracks around the mouth if you st the retainer screws too low really crank down on the knuckle.
Enjoy the tool.its a beauty.
Here’s a screenshot of the lever type study from Virginia toolworks. It a great resource.