Rag-in-a-can Oiler

From Journal Tuesday 14th February 2017

I’ve used my rag-in-a-can oiler for over 52 years to date. It's for adding a super-fine film of oil to my planes and saws and so far as I know it knows no equal. The trouble is it’s prompted questions that come up all too often so hopefully the video we just made will help.

#1 What kind of oil do you use?

#2 Doesn’t it affect the finish you apply?

#3 Does it affect the glue?

#4 Can you use boiled linseed oil?

So we made the video to show how I make them and address the questions. I hope it helps.

One thing that people really don't understand is that plane judder, skipping and jumping (commonly and erroneously referred to by all modern-day plane makers in the industry as plane "chatter") on the wood is eliminated by using the oiler. Though none of these conditions is the extremely rare phenomenon of actual 'chatter', which is an iterant reverberation caused by minute degrees of repeated flex in the blade of a plane that results in a super-fine wash-board effect.

Once you’ve made yours and used it you’ll understand why I’ve never changed it. Allow the 3-IN-ONE oil to soak into the cloth overnight before using it. Top up periodically, about once a month, and definitely avoid any oils that spontaneously ignite, BLO for instance is a good example, because you may find your shop, garage or house burning down. 3-IN-ONE is safe and works perfectly and with regards to affecting finishes and glue, it has never done so for me in my 50-plus years of using it.