To see a beginner friendly step by step guide on setting up a plane visit our sister site, Common Woodworking: https://commonwoodworking.com/bench-plane-setup/

For more information, see https://paulsellers.com or https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com

Can't thank you enough Paul. I've just fully restored a completely unloved Stanley No 4 - Type 19 (1948-1961) that I picked up in a junk shop for just $5, in almost real time following this video. I've turned junk into gold with your help.

I feel so fortunate to have met you, Paul, through your videos.
I just this last weekend found a No5 Stanley Sweetheart plane to clean up and use. So, I've revisited this this video. You've covered so many of my questions in this video alone. Now, I will need to replace the rear tote as it is broken, and the blade and lateral adjustment adjustment was bent back to the tote, evidence of the plane having been dropped upside down. So that the top of the tote, the part that goes over the top of the webbing of your hand is missing. Instead of making a handle, I'm very tempted to buy one as I'm not very skilled. I'm 71 and just want a nice hobby.
I hope you keep doing the good work you've dedicated your life to for many, many more years to come. Hope to keep learning from you when I reach 90. Im sure you'll keep going into your next century!

Such beautiful and passionate words in the end, where you sad "if i had 50 more years in woodworking it would last all my needs". I'm a 17 year old boy from Sweden that seriously enjoy whatching all your vidios on youtube, they inspire me and got me motivated, so tomorrow i'm going to try to restore some of my old grandfathers tools! :)

Brother Paul,  thank you for doing these videos. I moved to the Philippines last May and things are very hard to get here. I wanted to buy a bigger hand plane. I bought a #4 but all I could get was a plane from China. So I'm trying to fine tune it to make it work. Thank you brother 🙏

I love the pragmatism in restoring this plane. No faffing, just doing what's required with no garnish. Great job!

Excellent! Restoring and improving a good tool is such a satisfying and rewarding use of time.

10:50 golden words: get on with life...

Hi Paul. bought a 2nd hand Stanley nr 4. Spend 3 days, 4hrs a day sanding the twisted blade. Finally i finished. Cuts like a scalpel. I now understand the pain at 39:07
Cheers and thank you for the lessons.

I usually fall asleep during restoration videos, they like my asmr version.
But when Paul speaks and shares his woodworking life lessons, I just cannot miss out on him. You are a human treasure sir.

Paul your instruction has once again given life to a plane my late father had over 60 years ago. It’s like it just woke up.
Superb video.
Thank you so much.
Rob.

I first thought.... I'm never gonna watch this whole video! But 3 mins in and I knew I was in for the long haul and so glad I did, I'm a 48 y.o female who has been self teaching myself for about 5 years with  any tools I can find or afford, this has absolutely inspired me get out my Dad's old planes and get to work bringing them back to life, can't wait to start using them and GET ON WITH LIFE! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and wisdom with the world, can't wait to start binge watching all your videos!

So often when I've gotten impatient with myself on my own restoration and woodworking journey, watching one of Paul's videos seems to bring me forward a bit. And I keep going.

8yrs after your post, @Paul Sellers, this video is so helpful. I just received a Stanley Jack plane from someone who stored it in his damp basement for over a decade. It is super rusty, but the blade appear salvageable and the sole looks like it’s worth the effort. I’m concerned about the copper adjustment know and the pressure cap (not sure what that’s called), but I’ll give restoration a go. Thank you for this video, which gives me hope.

I enjoyed the video. As a new 40 year old woodworker I restored my grandfather’s #5 plane, circa 1940 and it works great now. Flattening the sole was a Herculean effort but the rest wasn’t bad. Imaging him using it in 1946 is a fun part of me using it in 2026.

As a novice woodworker I have been achieving very poor results with a an uneven rough finish and excessive tear-out.  I've just followed Paul's steps on a Stanley #5 and the difference is utterly incredible, the plane now glides smoothly, produces a uniform crisp shaving and leaves a silk smooth finish.  Working over a previous area of severe tear-out now leaves a perfect finish.  I now understand how Paul can achieve such excellent, precise results, so all I need now is about 40 years practice :)

This is the best hand plane restoration video on YouTube. More time spent on preparing and aligning the surfaces necessary for the plane to plane perfectly than purely cosmetic aspects. Learned an enormous amount. Many thanks.

I’m 73 and just dug out a rusty hand plane my Dad used to have. I’m going to try and do what Paul did and use it instead of my power plane. I cleaned it a bit but it’s far from perfect. I have subscribed because you explain everything you do so well. I need 50 more years to get to anywhere near this level of woodworking expertise but I’ll give it my best shot. Thanks from South Australia Paul.

Wow, This video was fantastic!! I'm 70 and I finally got a woodshop. I bought a couple of Record Marple planes and now I know how to take care of them. Thank YOu

Paul, this procedure is exactly what I've needed.  I followed this and restored a #4 plane and I.. am.. amazed.  I have never ever used a plane that works like this one does now, after your restore/sharpening/setup procedure.  I had no idea that a plane could work this smoothly and precisely. Thank you so much for sharing your most amazing experience and wisdom with us all.