Woden No W5 Jack plane

Another recent Kijiji finds, an almost perfect specimen still in the cardboard box with the instructions pamphlet. It was a bit out of my way, Truro NS, but it was a good ride in the country side, and it so happened that one of my girlfriend sisters lives in Truro, so great excuse for a visit. Thank you Crystal and Paul for the hospitality :-)

Black covered paste box with yellow label.

I gave it a quick wipe, it was quite dusty... Coming from a typical powered woodworking's shop :-)

What is inside, complete with plane pamphlet

The Woden company of Wednesbury Staffordshire (1868-1961) was a maker of a limited range of hand tools for woodworking such as ratchet braces, carpenter bench cramps (vises) flooring cramps, wrenches etc. They had a steel foundry and were equipped to make all the parts required to make hand tools. The hand tool division was relatively small within the overall product range, of metal castings, nuts and bolts and related steel products.

Like most British companies that were heavily involved in the war effort (WW2), the company struggled to return to normal products production due to a shortage of raw material and qualified manpower.

They did not manufactured metallic planes until 1954 after acquiring WS Birmingham in 1952. Part of this acquisition gave them the redesigned copy of the Stanley No 78 Duplex Rabbet plane, the dual fence rail WS78, which would later becomes Record 778 after Record purchased them in 1961.

Paul Sellers really like them so you know they are every bit as good or better than Stanley and Record.

Their planes offering grew to includes two Block planes the W110 and W130

Bench planes:
Smoothers W4 and 4-1/2
Jack planes W5 and 5-1/2
Fore plane W6, and
Jointer plane W7
They never produced size No 2, 3, 5-1/4, 8
They also made some corrugated sole bench planes until 1963
And of course the better copy of Stanley No 78, the W78 Duplex Rabbet plane.

This was a somewhat limited offering compared to Stanley and Record, but in order to compete they had to produce a high quality and finish product, which they delivered. They are as good, and in the case of the W78, better than the originals Stanley and Record copies (No 078 specifically)

In the early 60s Record was expanding by purchasing rivals manufacturers, they acquired Woden in 1961 and moved operations to Sheffield.

Early on the planes had a mixture of parts from the old Woden's parts and the newly produced ones from Record.
Gradually, all parts were being made solely by Record, with a few small modifications in materials and design.
Record continued to produce the Woden range under that name until about 1965
Other products were continued under Record own model numbering, such as the W78 which became Record No 778.

Lets see what we have here and try to narrow it down to a period of manufacture.

According to this site there are 5 different productions variations, or Types:
As usual for these Types studies, it is based on the No 4 (W4)

Three (3) from Woden and the last two (2) when Record took over:

Type 1 - 1954-55, early production,

- Bodies without "QC" or "Q" foundry marks (in house Woden foundry)
- W4's with single lower pane frogs
- 2 inch frogs with small (4mm) marks
- 2 in lever caps with inside lower flat or rounded bottom edges
- Type 1 or 2 cutters
- Type 1 Label (L1) boxes and Woden Plane Instruction pamphlet (WPI 2 or 3)

Type 2 - 1955-57

- Bodies without "QC" marks (in house)
- 2 inch frogs with 2 lower panes, without "Q" marks but with single 5.5 mm       marks
- 2 inch lever caps without inside bottom flat, with or without rounded bottom edges
- Type 1 or 2 cutters
- Type L1 boxes and Type 2 or 3 Woden Plane Instruction pamphlet

Type 3 -  1957-61 late production

- Bodies including the "Q" or "QC" foundry marks (out sourced to Qualcast foundry)
- Frogs with "Q" marks and 5.5 mm marks
- 2 inch lever caps without inside bottom flat and square corners
- Type 2 or Type 3 New Improved Cutters (NIC)
- Type L1 or L2 boxes with or without NIC label, and
- Type 3 or 4 Woden plane instruction pamphlet

Type 4 - 1961-1962 Early Record production, the change over period

"Changeover" planes were being assembled in Sheffield (Record) with Wednesbury made parts (Woden). There were problems with Record using a mix of Woden and Record manufactured parts that were using different screw threads. Woden used mainly BSF screws and Record  used the historic Stanley and BSW threads. This resulted in some re-machining and or a few special "one of" parts to be found

- "WODEN" and "No Wx" cast marked on either a Woden or Record shaped body
- Either Woden or Record specified frog
- Woden Type 4 Tungsten Vanadium cutter with stamped marks
- Either Woden original or Record modified lever caps
- Either Woden or Record wood parts with the original Woden transfer slide decal affixed to the handle
- Either Woden or Record specified depth adjustment wheel with appropriate screw or
- Unusual pattern of depth adjustment wheel with Woden screw

Type 5 - 1962-65 Record production until discontinued

- A Record body shape with just "No 4" in front of, or behind the knob and NO "Woden" cast marks
- A Record type frog having a thicker USA UNF thread depth adjustment screw
- Record unmarked adjustment wheel
- Record 3 pieces lateral adjustment lever with a bottom fixing rivet
- A lever cap with either a Woden cast mark with a red or orange background
- Later Record production had no Woden cast marks but a simple transfer decal near the top
- Lever cap handle is shorter and curved is more pronounced. Woden made had a lever length from cam boss to tip of about 29 mm, Record about 26 mm
- Record wood parts with Woden transfer slide decal on the handle top
- Record small parts: Cheese headed frog screws, straight frog clip with round
 head screw and Record BSW ended studs for the handle and knob

My example as found:

L2 box (black) and label 1957-61/62

Water slide transfer decal, intact and pristine

Type 4 1961-62

Pristine frog surface

Upper quadrant marked "Q" on left, "7" on right 

Three (3) piece Lateral adjuster. 

Earlier Woden had a simple bent tab at the end of the lever

Cutter Full size , still showing original grinding marks, 

never sharpened.

Woden Type 4 Tungsten Vanadium cutter with stamped marks. 

Square bottom edge on lever cap Type 3 1957-61.

"Woden" red paint, "Record" had more of an orange paint.

From about 1956-7, the plating improved and did not easily flaked and resist corrosion better. This thing is perfect...

Less pronounced and longer curved lever.

The shoulder cam is higher 51mm versus 48mm 

Knob and tote have some finish flaking off. Lacquer, Shellac or Varnish? 

I see this typically on Record tools.

High knob and tote, stained and lacquered (?) hardwood

Frog receiver with frog adjuster screw

Frog adjuster screw has square end (Woden)

Later Record has a more pointed end like a set screw.

This is just about the only rusted screw on the whole plane.

Notice the slight angle machined on the frog for the clip.

Frog capture clip is angled with a straight clip (Record), Earlier Woden had a near vertical casting and an angled clip

Lever cap screw has the Record longer non thread portion 

Front toe casting shows WODEN and No W5

Later Record made models had only No 5 cast in front of knob

Knob shows waisted barrel nut, earlier were plain cylinder.

Rear casting has MADE IN ENGLAND

and QC 2 stamped inside the tote receiver

Side show some minor discoloration

Sole has virtually no scratches

This side shows the most discoloration, light surface rust 

should easily cleaned up

Everything point to an earlier Type 4 1961-62 Changeover period plane.

The japanning is in perfect condition, there are some small stained surfaces here and there on the bright metal parts. The level cap is just like new, the iron is unused and full length but has some small chips at the cutting edge. The wooden parts, tote and knob have no defect except for flaking off protective coating (shellac or varnish) here and there. The box is in good shape but the pamphlet has some rust stains on it. All in all, an unusual find in great shape. I don't often run into these. Quite the score : -)

Well worth the travel to Truro and got to spend some quality time with Jean's sister Crystal and her husband Paul... Bonus :-)

Rudy awaiting the return of his beloved Jeanie.

Everytime he hear a vehicle in the yard he rushes to the window :-)

Bob, who had a biopsy of the prostate this afternoon... Another cancer scare? Bring it on, i'll fight you till the end!! This would be round 3 for me with cancers, Heather had 2.  I am not worry but getting frankly tired of it all... :-(

Woden No 0110

A slow day today, awaiting friends to go thru Heather stuff and sort it.
This morning I took Rudy to my usual local Week End Flea market. There is often tools hidden in there.

Rudy right away spotted this little block plane, it look promising, so took a closer look.

It is a Woden No 0110, Woden (who would be merged with Record later) copy of the ubiquitous Stanley No 110.

As block planes goes, the No 110 is rather crude, but there are multitudes of versions out there by whom ever made planes.
A solid built No 110 like a vintage Stanley or Record etc. is a good performer.
It also can minimize the wear on your "other" block plane: The No 65- 1/2 or equivalent.
Similarly if your work is smaller scale a No 102 or 103 would be a good choice.

A solid, basic block plane is a very handy tool to have around the house, not just in your shop!

So once Rudy and I came back home, I did my usual treatment for a "new" lump of rust. A bunch of pics, before and after initial treatment and assess its condition. The casting is solid, there are no broken parts, the only serious defect is the pitted and worn area in front of the mouth. That's bad and will have to be lapped down below it. Thankfully, this is a good solid and thick casting made in jolly old England :-)

Here are the before (as bought) and after (after initial clean up)
And... NO... I did not paid the sticker price -)

You can see the bad area in front of the mouth in this pic. Mostly middle of the mouth wear, which is very typical.

But for now, that is sufficient to go rejoin its brethren into my plane tills and update my files etc.

The blade would also be sharpen next time it is coming up to bat and there is a nick in it.

All in all, a perfect plane to put into my son's kit.

Bob, reeking of WD-40...hummm maybe I should let the ladies go thru her closets without me... :-) 

Ah, the smell of WD-40 in the morning...

Besides coffee, it a sure way to wake me up :-)

Today, for some strange reasons, I can't be bothered making too much noises, like banging dovetails in 1-1/2 thick construction lumber! So I figured I'll just take it easy and do a quick assessment of my newly acquired tools; planes No 116 to 118. Like every new/old tool coming in, they are inducted in the same way. Quick initial clean up, to assess the condition, take pics to document it and update all my files. That is all I do initially, the next time I take it out to play, I'll sharpen the blade then.

First one I did was the small Sargent. Cleaning it up, I found a model No on the blade, it is No 206

And that is about all I did to it. Still need the blade to be sharpen.

Next time around I will probably remove the red paint on the cap.

Took it all apart soak the parts in Water Displacement formula No 40 (you may know it better under the name WD-40 :-) The sole was given a quick rub on my long piece of granite with sand paper on it. Not much, just to assess the condition and erase trace of rust. It was in good shape. Everything has been cleaned, lubricated and put back together then, I could not resist and plane off the corner of my wood arm rest on my office chair. Works great :-)

Like I mentioned earlier I dated it to be between 1910-1918, the Very Best Made (VBM) years, at Sargent.

Next up was the Woden No 130, a clone of the Stanley No 130. It received the same treatment.

It was also interesting to compare it to my previous No 130, which was Made in Germany. Dad bought it in the 60s I believe?

There is a small difference in size between them.  The Woden (British one) is closer to the original Stanley model.

You can see the small differences between the blades, Woden at the bottom.

Looking up Woden , also found out that mine is a newer type, the cap locking screw being die cast and not brass as it was originally. The blue colour, the logo on the blade and the markings on the bed, all point toward the Record purchased periods, transitioning from No W130 to No 0130

Eventually, it was the Record No 078 turn. At first I was going to put the pieces in Evap-O-Rust, but seeing the results on the two previous one, I decided to just soak them in WD-40. That did the job.

It needed a spritz anyway to separate the parts. And besides, I felt lazy this morning :-)

I'm happy the way the parts came out.

Now the real fun begin, the plane parts transplant.

First I gather all my spare parts and bodies for a family portrait

The Record 078 accepting body is on the left, the donating body is on the right.

The Stanley is in between, it is also a blue painted tool from the 70s, they were black prior.

These 3 posts have 3 different diameters. Threads look similar. 

Smallest on the left, biggest on the right.

The middle one fit my Stanley body, the right one is the one removed from the auction's plane.

The smallest one only fit the fence that came with it, which do not clear the body of the Stanley nor the Record. I believe it is a Sargent No 79 fence (?)

The depth stop are the same except the Stanley on the right is black , 

it is a spare I bought earlier with the supposedly fence for a No 78 and a black Stanley lever cap.

See the differences between the fences? Sargent on left, Record on Right.

I do not have a Sargent No 79 body to try it on, nor is the fence stamped No 79, like I've seen before on the web, but until proven otherwise, I will assumed that it is a Sargent No 79 fence. It does NOT FIT Stanley's nor Record's 

When I first tried the Record rod unto the accepting Record body, I could only thread it so much, so I got out my thread restoring tool to cleaned the threads good and lubricated and cleaned the female threads also on the body. That work!

The final reveal

Now all I need is a screw for the depth stop. Oh, that and a fence for my Stanley No 78, I have a rod that fit. And I am left with spare lever cap, a smaller rod and fence, and a Record's brazed body 

And actually, make that 2 screws for the depth stops, both for the Record and the Stanley.

Bob, coming back slowly to life :-)