Tote Refinishing
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Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Tools and Tool Maintenance/Restoration / Tote Refinishing
I picked up a #5 Stanley at my local flea market and although it was in great shape the tote finish was cracked very badly and right in the palm of my hand there are pieces of the lacquer missing so it digs right in to my hand, I sanded all the finish off and now am faced with what finish to put back on I of course have several cans of stains and shellac but what did Stanley actually use? Can anyone Help?
I recently bought a set of rosewood handles for a new stanley that I have, highland woodworking recommended this method for finishing. I haven’t actually tried it on the handles but it seemed to work quite well on another, smaller handheld implement I made out of cherry. Not sure if this helps you at all and not a factory finish but what the hell!
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rosewood-plane-handle-instruction.aspx
I find that fine sanding and a thin coat or two of Danish oil works pretty well for me. The Highland approach seems like a more refined variation on that, so worth a try. I can’t say I like thick polyurethane varnish on any tool handles though, it just makes them feel ‘plasticy’.
I made some saw handles and I used Danish oil.
I think I would do the same on plane handles.
Just my take on it.