Let's see, I have a couple low and high knobs sitting around the bench.     I have a Union style frog for a #6 sized plane.   I have a template for making my own totes.    Just need a few other parts....

 Sent Igor out of the Lab, on a quest.     Igor came back from cruising the Bay of E.     Seems he has found a base fore a #6, and a "parts plane".     Parts plane will deliver the bolts needed for the handles.    The #6 base, IF it gets here intact, is a "Bailey " style with a grooved bottom.    Both items will show up  about next thursday, or so.  Looks like I need to go out and make a tote or two....

A look at some of the "spares"  I have waiting around...Stanley style lever cap, iron and chip breaker, to fit a #6 size planeYes, I have it now all clean and shiny, now.    A Union style? bailey style?  Frog for a #6 size plane...I have some bolts, and some low knobs.    I also have a couple high knobs as well.   As for a tote...A #4 sized tote ( Walnut), and a #5 sized tote.    Yep, I have had a little bit of luck making my own.   So, out of a Plane crash of a DE6,  maybe, just maybe,   a new #6c???    All for the same amount as i spent on that KK7.      Stay tuned........

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

 Patterns were from an on-line store.   I've downloaded a pattern from each of Stanley's main sizes.      They don't always match up with a Union, or a Sargent style base.  So, when the base does get here at the shop, I'll thread the bolt into the base, just to check the angle the bolt uses going through the tote.   Base coming into the shop does NOT have that #@#@ boss I'd have to drill for.    PITA!      The "parts plane" should provide the bolts for this restoration.    It's a type #4 frog pattern, but the threads should match other "Made in USA" bases.

Too bloody hot to be out in the Pole Barn Woodshop lately.    Even too warm on the Back Porch Bench area.    Just got off from a six out of seven straight day work schedule.    That's SIX 12-hour days out of seven days.   Got a three day weekend, then back at it again.    Three more years til retirement.....

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

 That "Parts Plane" may get a second life afteral.......as a type 16-17 #5 jack plane.     There is a #5 base for sale on the bay.    It will match the frog on the parts planes.    Totes aren't a problem anymore, I have the patterns on file.   I do have a 2" iron for it, just need the lever cap ( MIGHT be one around)  and a 2" chip breaker.    Knobs,  I have a few. 

So, IF everything lines up in the stars, I could have both a #6c ( from the DE6 crash) AND a Stanley #5.....

Stay tuned to this Bat Channel, Robin,  there could be more info coming in......

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

  Just did a swap of some parts.   Will be getting some needed parts for the second plane in this project.   A lever cap,  and a chip breaker.   I have a 2' iron for a #4-5 style of plane.     Parts plane will supply the frog, and bolts.  So, now I'll nee to make TWO #5 style totes.   

I'm going to need a bigger camera for the next "Family Portrait".......

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

Do I detect bolts coming from your neck Steve? I can see you rubbing your hands together in anticipation as you hook the electrodes up the plane, and bring it back to life!!! Arrrrrhhhhhhggggggg!!!!!!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Steve when did you start making totes   what steps are you using to shape them

 I wound up making them because I needed a few handles for planes i was working on.  I usually follow either the old tote, or a pattern i downloaded, as a pattern to cut out a new tote.   

 I have both a router table set-up for round-overs, and a very special beltsander. I can sand EVERYWHERE on a tote with this one.  Once the totes are drilled and rough shaped, then the  sanding takes over, LOTS of it.     Since these are to fit MY hand, I stop often to check the fit.   I can also find spots I missed that way.    I can get the tote roughly to shape rounding wise with the router table.    Starting low, with just a little bit of the cutter, then work up from there. 

Sanding;  from the beltsander, the tote goes into a vise, and the strip of a sanding belt is run around like shining a shoe.   A file or two is handy, as is a piece of glass.     The glass acts like a scraper, and I can shape the glass to match a curve, if needed.  Then a test fit on the plane itself, and refine as needed.  My Bailey #8c, with new Black Walnut handles...

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

i would use maloof oil on them and wax that is what mike wischman does and he is the best tote builder in the country