Replies

1. 
   BG | Nov 10, 2003 07:40pm | #1

   markgraff,

   It is the paint on the plane...for some reason they call it Japaning...
1. 
   mlbfreestyle | Nov 10, 2003 08:29pm | #2

   Japan drier is a metallic additive used to promote the curing (harnening) of oil based products.  I would suspect that a "japaned" finish would have more of this drier in order to produce a harder finish.  A paint that is too hard would not be suitable for use on wood but might be fine on cast iron.

2. 
   Tao | Nov 11, 2003 01:09am | #3

   The term Japanning is over 400 years old.  It refers to coating with colored varnish (usually several coats), and heat drying.  Sort of an early baked-on enamel.

   On Stanley planes, it refers to the baked on black varnish or enamel on the plane's body.

   Michael R

1. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 11, 2003 02:39am | #4

   I believe that the practice of  "Japanning" originated in Japan several hundred years ago.  When introduced to the west, it was referred to as the "Japan" finish.  Usually, but not exclusively, a heat baked black finish being lacquer or enamel.  Very hard, sturdy, and long lasting.  It was adapted in England in the 17th century to the protecting of cast and wrought iron and then the practice migrated to the states later.

   The contents of Japanning as used by the Stanley company was Linseed oil and Asphaltum with lead, cobalt, and gum driers added, and thinned with turpentine.  It is widely believed that the original formula used by Stanley was referred to as "Pontypool Asphaltum" after the town of Pontypool which I believe is/was in Wales, England.

   I  believe that "Japan Drier" is a fairly recent introduction to the market place.  It does not have any lead content relying mostly on cobalt and manganese as the drying agents.  

   http://www.paranoia-towers.com/alchemy/pontypool.htm

   This same basic formula was used for "oil based" paints for hundred of years, with different coloring agents substituted.  The practice of using lead or other heavy metals as a dryer was stopped for commercial sales in the US 30 or 40 years ago.

   Lead is what made the old rich Romans go crazy!!  Only the rich Romans could afford lead goblets for their wine!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   Jimma | Nov 11, 2003 04:44am | #6

   My daughter, an archaeologist, worked on a dig in Alexandria, VA across the river from DC a few years ago. Their main effort was in the freed slave quarters which backed up on the affluent white's section. It was found that the blacks outlived the whites, and the reason was attributed to the fact that the blacks ate from (cheap) earthenware, while the whites ate from pewter -- a metal with high lead content. I also remember admonitions from my mother not to eat from laquered dishes, perhaps for the same reason, especially when there was a brisk trade with Japan before WW II.

   Just a little humnan interest addendum . . .

2. 
   DaveHeinlein | Nov 11, 2003 03:05am | #5

      

   My Great Uncle,an illustrator in the early 1900's, did artwork for a product called "Japalac". It was meant to be brushed, I think.

   What would that be, black shellac?

   Anyone here old enough to remember it?