Can a plane be repaired? Sigh.

[Matt Allan]

Well, I'm an idiot. I was swinging around a full sheet of plywood and not really paying too much attention. Didn't lift high enough and knocked an old millers falls plane I found in my Aunts basement a few years ago right off the bench and it cracked in half.

May not have been the greatest plane in the world but worked well with my limited hand took skills. As you can see from the picture I did a good number on it. Was wondering if its possible to have it reattached and then maybe just flattened again? and if so if the cost would be worth it?

Thanks

[Michael Stafford]

I'm sure it can be repaired if you have enough money but there in the distance I am almost certain I hear taps being played... Farewell my good and faithful soldier, er, plane...

[Roger Kirkpatrick]

That's too bad.
I have a favorate plane I use all the time.

Looks like you will have to Deep 6 this one.

Cast iron welding could be expensive and it may not be the same anyway.

[Jamie Buxton]

Well, a new one would come with a blade!

[David Eisan]

Hello there,

Depending on how much senimental value the plane has, you may wish to have it repaired. The plane itself is worth at most $40.00.

I have a welding school near where I work and I know the owner and a number of the instructors. I have had them weld up cast iron for me several times, each time for a token $20. It was used in the class to show how and why you repair things. Cast iron has to be heated in an oven, welded, and cooled slowly in the oven. Often it will deform.

Ask around with people you know if any of them know an old welder or a shop with old guys who care and would appreciate what you want to do and will give you a break. If you have to pay full pop, this does not make sense.

Keep a watch on Ebay for a total piece of junk plane with broken and missing everything, except with an intact body. Clean up the body and transplant all the parts. This is the cheapest option.

David.

[Tom LaRussa]

Well, I'm an idiot. I was swinging around a full sheet of plywood and not really paying too much attention. Didn't lift high enough and knocked an old millers falls plane I found in my Aunts basement a few years ago right off the bench and it cracked in half.

May not have been the greatest plane in the world but worked well with my limited hand took skills. As you can see from the picture I did a good number on it. Was wondering if its possible to have it reattached and then maybe just flattened again? and if so if the cost would be worth it?

Matt, don't think of it as a broken plane. Just think of it as a bullnose plane that needs a little filing at the front.

Seriously.

[Tyler Howell]

Save the parts. I saw a lot of swapping and trading on refurbs the last couple of weeks. Not Authentic for collectors but function was key.

Besides the next plane using these spares will share the soul of its predecessor.

[Wes Bischel]

From what the others have said, it sounds like it's totaled. With that in mind, why not try JB weld (if the sole isn't bent). I have put a bunch of things together that were a loss - all are still in service. Give it a try, it couldn't hurt.

Wes

[Tim Leo]

I'd start shopping on Ebay...you can find a Stanley #5 or #6 for $20 if you keep on eye on the offerings.

Grind down the front into a bullnose and save that plane for the tricky projects

[Steven Wilson]

If you can find someone who is good at welding cast iron then it can be mended. However you will need to reflatten the base, square the sides, refile the mouth square, and probably do a bit of work to the frog; basically realign everything. Oh yeah, it would work better if it had a blade in it.

[Bob Smalser]

Welding cast iron is difficult, as there is more than one flavor of cast iron with different welding procedures and no way to test to determine what flavor yours is. Requires high-temperature preheating and slow, 24-hr+ cooling....and that shop time costs money.

Given the cost of that compared to the 20-dollar price of a rehabbable Stanley 5 on Ebay, repairing yours doesn't pass the common sense test unless it has sentimental value equal to the hundred bucks or more a top-notch cast iron specialist will charge. Even then, I'd be concerned that the additional sole flattening required ...because you'll get some warp even with the best cooling technique...will wear an already-worn mouth past usability.