My "new" set of Stanley's

[Bob Jones]

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.
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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.

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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

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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.

[Dwain Lambrigger]

Well, that is really pretty. I guess you beat me to the punch. I started looking for corrogated type 11's in January. I have them from 3 to 8, incluing the 5 1/2. I guess i will have to get some pictures up. I have the same goal, clean them and get them sharpened and ready to use.

Good luck!

[Dan Andrews]

There is a collection I could go for. I have the Stanley #5 and #7. Both type 11. The #5 was free and I paid $20. for the #7 (it came with several other tools with some value). Both needed irons which I bought used, and both still need the tote horns replaced. They work great and are easy to adjust and they hold their adjustments. Good going Bob.

[Kevin Foley]

Nice set of planes. A good dad deserves them. Only a good dad would have not put them to work immediately to remove a budding artist's artwork from daddy's benchtop. Neat picture, well executed tool score. Congratulations!

[Bob Jones]

Thanks! That picture was actually taken on my "daughters" benchtop. It is just a solid door on two by four legs. I let her decorate it. She has to leave daddy's roubo alone :)

[Jim Koepke]

No "desirable" types

Any plane that works well is a "desirable" type.

Looks good and looking forward to see your progress on fixing them up.

I agree with you on the totes. There is a lot more wood in the bend at the bottom of the old totes and on my type 6 #4-1/2 it is impossible for me to get more than two fingers around the tote.

On a lot of my other planes some of the wood has been taken out with a rasp and then sanded for a more comfortable fit.

jtk

[Salem Ganzhorn]

I am in the market for a 3, 4 and possibly an 8. I am not very picky about the type although I totally agree about the tote mattering! But I have started making my own.

Let me know if you are liquidating the old ones :).
Salem