Bob Jones
03-19-2011, 12:51 AM
The first image is my current set of solid "user" grade bench planes. 3 through 8 without the fraction sizes. These are a mixed set that I was given, inherited, or bought on ebay or Brass City. No "desirable" types, but I have tuned each of them myself to be good users. Some took more work than others. All work well with no real complaints.
187271
Well, in the process of tuning these (over a few years) I learned things that I liked and things that I didn't. For instance - I never believed it, but handle shape matters. Some handles really are more comfortable than others when you are working for hours. I found other things too, but that one surprised me most. Anyway, I decided that I would like to assemble a complete set of the same Type of planes. I want them all to have the same look and "feel" when I am using them.
I decided to go with Type 11's. Yes, I guess I gave into the internet hype. Here they are. I love the patents dates, the frog, and the low knobs. I had no idea the older type of frogs were SO STABLE! Wow.
187270
At this angle, you have to look close to notice a difference. These are all "as found". I plan to clean each, probably repaint all, and replace all the handles. Don't worry, I will save the handles. I want them all to look and feel the same. It will be a couple of months before I do anything because I am making myself wait until I finish my current project - my first case work. A chest of drawers.
Anyway, I would like to say I worked on this collection for years, but I did not. I assembled this "set" in about 4 days with the help of users in this forum, woodnet, ebay, and ROSE tools. FYI - Donna at ROSE tools was awesome! All were reasonable prices, no crazy auctions. Only the joiners were more than $50 (one was $25) and non were over $100.
Money shot
187269
I am really looking forward to tuning them. I plan to post a complete "how to" without using a buffer or wire wheel once I figure it out. I am reading now.
Sorry for the blazing gloat :) I guess I crossed the line into collector-ville. Maybe collectors are not so bad after all... :rolleyes:
FYI - I work from rough cut lumber and do 100% of surface prep by hand. So, I decided to spoil myself a little. I really wanted a set of LN's or BedRocks, but those are just too much for me right now.
187271
Well, in the process of tuning these (over a few years) I learned things that I liked and things that I didn't. For instance - I never believed it, but handle shape matters. Some handles really are more comfortable than others when you are working for hours. I found other things too, but that one surprised me most. Anyway, I decided that I would like to assemble a complete set of the same Type of planes. I want them all to have the same look and "feel" when I am using them.
I decided to go with Type 11's. Yes, I guess I gave into the internet hype. Here they are. I love the patents dates, the frog, and the low knobs. I had no idea the older type of frogs were SO STABLE! Wow.
187270
At this angle, you have to look close to notice a difference. These are all "as found". I plan to clean each, probably repaint all, and replace all the handles. Don't worry, I will save the handles. I want them all to look and feel the same. It will be a couple of months before I do anything because I am making myself wait until I finish my current project - my first case work. A chest of drawers.
Anyway, I would like to say I worked on this collection for years, but I did not. I assembled this "set" in about 4 days with the help of users in this forum, woodnet, ebay, and ROSE tools. FYI - Donna at ROSE tools was awesome! All were reasonable prices, no crazy auctions. Only the joiners were more than $50 (one was $25) and non were over $100.
Money shot
187269
I am really looking forward to tuning them. I plan to post a complete "how to" without using a buffer or wire wheel once I figure it out. I am reading now.
Sorry for the blazing gloat :) I guess I crossed the line into collector-ville. Maybe collectors are not so bad after all... :rolleyes:
FYI - I work from rough cut lumber and do 100% of surface prep by hand. So, I decided to spoil myself a little. I really wanted a set of LN's or BedRocks, but those are just too much for me right now.