Anyway, a few weeks ago - okay, last month - I actually bought some RUST! Eeek! I know, you thought I'd gone on the wagon. So did I. But what can you do when a Stanley #71½ waves at you in a pathetic "take me home" kinda way?
Well exactly. 'Course it does push the hand router count into rather dangerous territory. I haven't checked, but I have a nasty feeling it's nearer double figures than can possibly be justified...
Not surprisingly, in the intervening year or two, I've managed to lose my rust removing mojo and as a result the cleaned plane is a) Not as good as I'd hoped, and b) Took me perishing ages to do. But while I was in the groove, I cleaned up the Record 050c I took apart for cleaning some time in 2008, iirc. Amazingly I'd only managed to lose one piece in the intervening period, and that was easily replaced. However, I'm not convinced I'm going to be a convert to the design award-winning rear handle and have already wondered about a wooden replacement. Ooo, Alf has a handle issue; plus ça wotsit as our friends across the Channel might say.
And finally I've had an absolute rash of emails, principally concerning my friends - and possibly yours - the combination plane. As a result there are two new manuals for a couple of the more modern brethren - the Record 050c and the Stanley 13-050. Yes, that Stanley. The one with the joke shop dog doings for a handle... Aesthetically ghastly, but apparently it is really and truly a good plane. I have no plans to find this out for myself though; there is a line. And at some point I really will get the pics of the 044c someone sent me far too long ago up on the 044 page too. No really, I will. Honest. I could probably say before the next blog entry, but that ain't saying much.
Talking of which, I anticipate being a bit busy through April and May, so if you don't hear from me, don't be surprised.
Wadda you mean, you won't be...?
