> > I never finished getting all that crackling japanning off,
>
> What for?

Well... "It seemed like a good idea at the time?"

Much of it was peeling very badly and had rust under it.  I thought a
wire wheel would be a quite efficient method for removing the whole
mess.  It was, but (luckily) it couldn't reach most of the interior of
the top of the sole.  I didn't stop to think the plane had more value
than the few dollars I put into it, and figured I wasn't going to make
it unusable in any case.  I have since learned the error of my ways.

> > decided it would be better to find some other way to remove the rest
> > of the rust.
> 
> Look up all the electrolysis stuff we've discussed.

Well, since I haven't even tried mineral spirits and a tooth brush, I
think I'll start with that.  At the time I thought, "There must be a
better way," but it didn't occur to me to check online.

Alan