----- Original Message -----
From: Jordan Wolfgang Dr. Wolfgang.Jordan@m...
>
>  This leads to another question. Most people seem to clean their
planes with
> mineral spirits. Because of the smell and the possible health
hazards I
> wanted to avoid this and tried cleaning a plane with just some soapy
water,
> with good results. Would this be also an accepted method or should I
stay
> away with water from a woodie?
>

I really don't like the idea of water near "woodies".
99 times out of 100 an old woodie will be dry as a bone.
Water and old dry wood don't go together without something
changing. And the whole purpose is to cause minimal change.

My approach is to get dust and grime away with kerosene and
a toothbrush or 0000 steel wool, then go straight to the
paste wax.  No water anywhere.

That way nothing is gonna change shape on me.  As for
using oil, I use the occasional raw linseed inside the wedge
cavity after closing off the mouth with gaffer tape.  Leave
it there until it soaks inside the plane body, then wipe up
and use kero/paste wax.

Don't like the idea of putting oil on the outside. Rather
have it inside the plane body where it will close any old
age cracks.  Outside, all it does is unnecessarily darken
the wood.

If I ever had to use oil on the outside, I'd go for Orange
oil or similar: dries clear and doesn't turn everything dark.

Cheers
Nuno Souto
nsouto@n...
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/the_Den