I have a number 3 that I picked up at a fleamarket years ago. In the great cleanup effort that is focused upon the tools I've brought back from Mum's I thought I'd give my little #3 (my favorite) the attention it deserves. Imagine my horror when I took off the front knob and found the original "studdy" thing that held the knob on had been replaced with a piece of 1/4-20.
I don't know what the threads are, nor the stock for that matter. The tote's stud is 20 tpi, but the profile is not the same as 1/4-20, and the dia is only ~.209, while 1/4-20 is about .244.
Suggestions anyone? The only thing I can figure is to drill and tap oversize.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.

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Ed
If you want to use it rather than worship it, I'd do what it takes to make it functional. If that diminishes the value to collectors, so much the better. The next guy who gets it will get to pay a more reasonable price for it.
seems like a good idea. I've used phosphoric acid and the 3M scrubbies mentioned in the web site. The down side to the acid is that it will take off anything purposefully etched into the metal. For that reason my Grandfather's Disston saws still carry their patina of rust. I'll need to find some beater to try the electro approach.
