Hello all.
Someone at work gave me a Falcon hand plane, and after stripping it down and starting the refurbishing process, the plane has decided not to cooperate. I have taken this effrontery as a challenge, and now intend to make this into a really nice-ish hand plane (if I can).
Here is what I have done so far:
After about 90 minutes of using 100/120 grit wet/dry paper on my surface plate, there is still a notable 'falling off' at both the front and back ends of the plane. I don't own a belt sander, so elbow grease is all I can use. It is flat ahead of the mouth for 3/4" or so, and for about 2-1/2" behind the mouth, then it tapers off gradually towards the heel to where it's a good .020.+" low I would say. Is this good enough? I don't want my pride to cost me the equivalent in wet/dry paper of a new Lee Valley or Lie-Nielsen (in my dreams) equivalent trying to make it perfect.
Both the front knob and the handle have seen better days. I think I can glue up the crack in the handle, and perhaps save the knob. Does anyone know if the L/V or Lie-Nielsen wooden parts would fit these Falcon planes? I don't have a lathe, and don't have the skills to make replacement.
The plane iron is serviceable, and I am working on sharpening it.
I know it will never be a premium plane - even if the L-V or L-N replacement blades and caps fit it, which they probably don't, but I'd like to see what I can do to make this plane as good as it can get.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
Joe