Hello everybody!
I recently picked up this secondhand blanchard plough gauge and I want to bring it back into working order. Most of the iron/steel parts have some pitting and rust, the brass looks alright as far as I can see. The main issues right now are that the slide assembly does not come off entirely, something is binding somewhere. And secondly the big thumb screw om top has zero movement, although there is quite some rust in the threads (hopefully clear on the pictures)
Also, should i remove the handle or just fill the voids with an epoxy and sawdust mixture? There is no movement when in the blade or handle itself, so i'm hoping that just filling the gaps is enough.
Also something that I am curious about, is there any way to sharpen the blade so that it is always pulling itself into the leather?
If anybody has any advice on how to go about restoring this or any tip/tricks, I would be very grateful to hear them 😀
I had three vintage plough gauges, and I've cleaned them all with WD40.
Regarding the blade.... I never understood why all the classic manufacturers of plough gauges made the blades like that. To me - and I can see now that I'm not the only one, it just doesn't make any sense to bevel the blade on the inside. Anyway, you can ask for a custom made blade to a knife maker if you find that this setup doesn't fit you.
PS: any plough gauge is best used with vegtan of at least 3 mm thick. For thinner vegtan or chrome tanned leather a wood strap cutter is the best.
@Doug Good tip about the diesel, I had not thought of that yet. Will definitely do that if WD-40 doesn't do the trick right away :) Cheers
Nice pickup, it's a nice old tool. Don't try to force the screws or any other rusted part, the last thing you want is to damage the threads in the brass parts. If you have any Penetrating oil,( WD40 or CRC, or an equivalent) give it a good spray and leave it sit. Alternately you can remove the blade and handle and soak the whole thing in Diesel, take it out every day and try to move the screws. It may take a while but it will work.
Cheers
Good to check here first. Another site I would check is Paul Sellers' site, Woodworking Masterclasses, for tool maintenance, care and refurbishing techniques. It's also one I use for guidance and reference. Now, the tools will be specifically hand tools for woodworking but I find the principles, as are the nature of principles, apply to all my hand tools. All the best. This tool looks like a fine piece of workmanship that you'll be happy to own and use.