Justin Green
02-02-2009, 9:16 AM
For those in Texas, or considering a trip to Canton, Texas to the gigantic flea market, it's a lot of fun. I went this weekend and saw a lot of planes, but in the end, came home without one (or my box of parts!!!:()
I estimate I saw around 50 hand planes at different vendors. Most were Handyman/Defiance type planes or no-name planes. I estimate that most were #4s in various condition states. There was also a very clean number 2 Stanley for $200 and a very clean #5 for $50. I also saw a Miller Falls (can't remember the number but it was roughly the same size as a Stanley #6). I need a jack plane, but passed as I don't know enough about the Miller Falls planes. I'm kicking myself on the number 5, which was pre-War and looked like it had been redone which would have saved me some work. I saw a #10 Carriage maker's rabbet plane which was broken on one side and broken and brazed on the other - passed. I also saw a Craftsman store display try square (huge, wood and brass) for $45 that I thought about picking up as well. There was a box of planes for sale, but many were beat up Stanley 110s (or some newer variety thereof)... SHOULD have bought a few of the cheap planes for parts, but I know I'd be tempted to try and fix them up as well...
I ended up buying two sliding bevels, one a Stanley sweetheart and the other an older Stanley sliding bevel with the 98 patent date. Both for $8 and in decent shape. I also picked up an old try square for $4 that was in nice condition, but upon getting home, discovered it's not quite in square. I'll try and post some pictures tonight (had to get back to watch the Superbowl)...
Canton was a little short on dealers this time. A lot of the dealers travel a decent ways to get there and cold weather scares them a bit, so if you're thinking about going try a warmer month.
I estimate I saw around 50 hand planes at different vendors. Most were Handyman/Defiance type planes or no-name planes. I estimate that most were #4s in various condition states. There was also a very clean number 2 Stanley for $200 and a very clean #5 for $50. I also saw a Miller Falls (can't remember the number but it was roughly the same size as a Stanley #6). I need a jack plane, but passed as I don't know enough about the Miller Falls planes. I'm kicking myself on the number 5, which was pre-War and looked like it had been redone which would have saved me some work. I saw a #10 Carriage maker's rabbet plane which was broken on one side and broken and brazed on the other - passed. I also saw a Craftsman store display try square (huge, wood and brass) for $45 that I thought about picking up as well. There was a box of planes for sale, but many were beat up Stanley 110s (or some newer variety thereof)... SHOULD have bought a few of the cheap planes for parts, but I know I'd be tempted to try and fix them up as well...
I ended up buying two sliding bevels, one a Stanley sweetheart and the other an older Stanley sliding bevel with the 98 patent date. Both for $8 and in decent shape. I also picked up an old try square for $4 that was in nice condition, but upon getting home, discovered it's not quite in square. I'll try and post some pictures tonight (had to get back to watch the Superbowl)...
Canton was a little short on dealers this time. A lot of the dealers travel a decent ways to get there and cold weather scares them a bit, so if you're thinking about going try a warmer month.