restoring old tools

I don't have the funds for a nice new Lie Nelson plane --- so I look for old stuff

Here's three planes that I picked up, recently.

From front to back:
a) Stanley 220 --- gets used every time I work on something. Needs painting, one day - but I use it too often.
b) Millers Falls #9 bench plane --- cleaned up using electrolysis. Appears to be from the early 1940s.
c) Millers Falls #14 jack plane ---- right now, it's my favorite. This plane made child's play reducing a 3/4" board of maple down to 1/4". Didn't even need to start up the jointer.

Look close, you'll see my most recent attempt at hand-cut dovetails (try it - I dare you!).

I have one of these. I didn't restore it, and I'm not even sure it's a plane, but it is similar. It appears to be adjustable.

Looks like an old plow plane.

If you are going to keep using the tools then don't do anything more to them than it takes to keep them working. If you are trying to sell them then let them be. Lots of collectors are looking for old tools that look old and original, hard to believe but cleaning up an old tool can make it worth less to a collector because it doesn't look used and old.

Otis - I use these planes - they're not collections ---- they're tools!

bailey bud wrote: Looks like an old plow plane.

What does it do? And why is it called that?

BB, I'm willing to bet you a wooden nickle that 99% of the 15 year old kids in the world today wouldn't be able to name the tools in your OP or know what they would be used for. I salute you for carrying on the traditions of the days gone by and I hope there are a few young ones you can share your knowledge with and train them in the old skills of carpentry!

pacamom wrote:

bailey bud wrote: Looks like an old plow plane.

What does it do? And why is it called that?

It's for cutting grooves in wood for various types of joints. Instead of scraping the field flat like most planes, it cuts narrow grooves like a plow does in a field.

Take a look here: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/joinery/how-i-use-a-plow-plane

Think of it as an Amish router.

Nobody's answer is better than mine --- I was going to say a plow plane is good for rabbeting and dados.