Looking for planes on ebay...

[Harold Burrell]

I want some decent hand planes. Yeah...I wish I could afford LV's or LN's, but that's not going to happen right now. I wondering about picking some old Stanley's (or whatever) at auction.

I'm wanting a decent 4...maybe a 5...perhaps an 8...a shoulder plane...and even a router.

What should I look for???

Thanks,
Clueless Harold

[Garrett Ellis]

ebay can be kind of risky, but i have found a couple good deals. I've bought most of my planes either from members here in the classifieds forum or from walt at http://www.brasscityrecords.com/

Walt has a ton of stuff and it's all in good usable condition.

You can read about the differences between the 'types' online, but the most common ones you'll find will probably be type 10-18, and they will all serve you well. A lot of people have their favorite type or range of types, but that's really personal preference that comes from experience and use. If you just jump in and get 1 or 2 planes and start learning how to tune/adjust them, you will learn what you do and don't like about specific types.

[Richard Shaefer]

be very, very careful on ebay. I've gotten some great deals, and I've gotten ripped off with some absolute garbage. my own advice is to try to stick to the baileys. They can be had cheap and are plentiful in good shape. Anything with a modicum of value to it like a Bedrock or a decent shoulder plane should be apporached very, very carefully. The motivation to misrepresent a plane that could sell for $200 if you just angle the camera a bit so you can't see that weld repair is too high for my comfort level.

and for what it's worth, don't look at the selling price and think someone got a good deal. You can spend 2-3 hours tuning a used plane, $30-$80 for a decent iron and chip breaker, and $30-$40 for a new tote and knob, if they're broken (or too small for your hands). Before you know it, you've spent almost as much on an ebay fixer-upper than a new plane.

You're franlky better off in the classifieds of this board. People value reputation here more than a qucik buck.

[Zach Dillinger]

I wouldn't buy from eBay until you have a good grasp of what a good plane looks like, and what they need to make them work well. I would buy from a reputable tool seller (Walt is a great one, as is Josh Clark, Lee Richmond, Pat Leach, Ed Lebetkin, and others). They will set you up, and for probably less than you will spend on eBay trying to buy good planes (my experience is that you'll get roughly one good one for every three you end up with from eBay).

[Jim Koepke]

Fortunately for me, my experience has been better than Zach's buying from ebay.

It may be that I often looked for parts planes and found good users. My experience with this came from discovering that it was often less expensive to buy a complete plane with good handles than it was to buy just the handles. I kept bidding on planes with bad pictures but able to tell the handles were in good shape to get some replacement handles. Some of the planes were just dirty and are now among my users.

There is a lot of information here on SMC in the Neanderthal wisdom/FAQs:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?103805-Neanderthal-wisdom-FAQs

Here is a list of links you may want to check before taking any money out of you wallet:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?104945-Plane-information

Since this post, Walt at Brass City Records has added some information. (I hope someday to again do business with Brass City Records. My only experience was before I was into woodworking when I bought a hard to find recording he had.)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?116419-Planes-and-a-Few-Things-to-Look-For

This thread just kept growing. Even with all of this information available to buyers, there are folks who will hide damage and picture angle can hide defects. Sometimes it is unintentional. There are a lot of people who hit yard sales every week looking for something they can make a profit on by reselling. Often these folks do not know much about the items they buy and sell. They only know enough to get them to buy something that looks old. Remember, for someone that is 20 a tool that was made in 1980 is an antique.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?60970-Block-Plane-Selection-and-Rehabilitation

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?5867-Rehabilitating-Old-Planes-(Big-File)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?114373-Fettling-A-Plane-from-Junker-to-Jointer

Most of the common items on ebay are like busses, if you miss one, there will another in due time.

If there is an item on ebay you are interested in, I do not mind taking a look to give my opinion. Just send a PM with the listing number as early in the auction as possible.
This will allow you to send questions to the seller if any come up.

In the past I have found that it is not a good idea to deal with someone who doesn't respond to questions or for some reason can not supply more pictures of an item. This is not an absolute. It is all in the feeling one gets from the seller when asking questions.

After just now taking a quick look at the listings on ebay, with their starting prices and shipping, it seems you might be better off looking for a yard sales in your area.

You might also try Want To Buy adds in a local classifieds paper if there is one in your area or even Craigslist.

Finally, you can count on getting decent deals from Walt at Brass City or Patrick Leach at Supertool.com.

Happy Hunting,

jtk

[Harold Burrell]

ebay can be kind of risky, but i have found a couple good deals. I've bought most of my planes either from members here in the classifieds forum or from walt at http://www.brasscityrecords.com/

Walt has a ton of stuff and it's all in good usable condition.

You can read about the differences between the 'types' online, but the most common ones you'll find will probably be type 10-18, and they will all serve you well. A lot of people have their favorite type or range of types, but that's really personal preference that comes from experience and use. If you just jump in and get 1 or 2 planes and start learning how to tune/adjust them, you will learn what you do and don't like about specific types.

OK...what in the world are "types"...and what's the difference???

[Harold Burrell]

Fortunately for me, my experience has been better than Zach's buying from ebay.

It may be that I often looked for parts planes and found good users. My experience with this came from discovering that it was often less expensive to buy a complete plane with good handles than it was to buy just the handles. I kept bidding on planes with bad pictures but able to tell the handles were in good shape to get some replacement handles. Some of the planes were just dirty and are now among my users.

There is a lot of information here on SMC in the Neanderthal wisdom/FAQs:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?103805-Neanderthal-wisdom-FAQs

Here is a list of links you may want to check before taking any money out of you wallet:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?104945-Plane-information

Since this post, Walt at Brass City Records has added some information. (I hope someday to again do business with Brass City Records. My only experience was before I was into woodworking when I bought a hard to find recording he had.)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?116419-Planes-and-a-Few-Things-to-Look-For

This thread just kept growing. Even with all of this information available to buyers, there are folks who will hide damage and picture angle can hide defects. Sometimes it is unintentional. There are a lot of people who hit yard sales every week looking for something they can make a profit on by reselling. Often these folks do not know much about the items they buy and sell. They only know enough to get them to buy something that looks old. Remember, for someone that is 20 a tool that was made in 1980 is an antique.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?60970-Block-Plane-Selection-and-Rehabilitation

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?5867-Rehabilitating-Old-Planes-(Big-File)

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?114373-Fettling-A-Plane-from-Junker-to-Jointer

Most of the common items on ebay are like busses, if you miss one, there will another in due time.

If there is an item on ebay you are interested in, I do not mind taking a look to give my opinion. Just send a PM with the listing number as early in the auction as possible.
This will allow you to send questions to the seller if any come up.

In the past I have found that it is not a good idea to deal with someone who doesn't respond to questions or for some reason can not supply more pictures of an item. This is not an absolute. It is all in the feeling one gets from the seller when asking questions.

After just now taking a quick look at the listings on ebay, with their starting prices and shipping, it seems you might be better off looking for a yard sales in your area.

You might also try Want To Buy adds in a local classifieds paper if there is one in your area or even Craigslist.

Finally, you can count on getting decent deals from Walt at Brass City or Patrick Leach at Supertool.com.

Happy Hunting,

jtk

WOW...

Thank you for this. I REALLY appreciate it. :D

[Jim Koepke]

OK...what in the world are "types"...and what's the difference???

Plane types are a way of designating the changes made to the planes over the years.

Some are minor as in types 6 through 8. The biggest change here was the depth adjuster bolt went from right hand thread to left hand thread. The other changes were in the casting marks.

Type 9 introduced the four point seating of the frog and a guide in the center.

Type 10 introduced a screw for setting the frog adjustment.

jtk

[Don Jarvie]

To echo above be careful with Ebay. I got snookered twice, I thought I got a deal on a Stanley #4 but it turned out to be just a #4 with no maker. I also got a nearly mint Craftsman Rabbiting plane but it was missing the fence. Not a total loss since I can get the parts but a pain never the less.

Best place to buy is flea markets and yard sales you can get stuff cheap.

[Jeff L Miller]

I'll chime in with a bit of a different perspective. I sell planes frequently on ebay and have done so for several years. Having said that, I've also been burned once or twice buying items there. As a part time seller, I try to list the planes, "warts and all" so people know what they are getting, I also offer a full money back guarentee on all Items I sell. I take the full 12 pictures at all angles so the buyer gets an honest view of the plane. Look for someone with a proven track record of selling, view their feedback, then decide if that's the way you want to go.

I mention all of the above to say this. Personally, I would start local and pick up a plane or two at a garage or estate sale, also check CL if you're leary about ebay. I just looked up "planes" on Philadelphia's CL and found some great offerings (not sure where Millerton is). If you start local, you can look at the plane, take it apart, and ask questions. If you get those misleading answers, walk away unless its a great deal. Most hand plane guys are more than willing to invest the time with you (we love to talk about tools I guess). You'll ususally come away with a bit of new knowledge and the seller might throw in an extra or two, I know I do with new folks.

I would start with a common Stanley #4 or #5 and read all I could about tuning it up then go for it (Jim offers excellent advice above). Totes can be repaired with epoxy and finished with oil to look great. Clean the plane with soap and water, dry it well, and lubricate where necessary, no harsh abrasives. Once you have everything apart that should come apart, clean everything "to where a craftsman would be proud to have it on his bench". It's easy to go overboard with the wire wheel or sand paper. Stick to 0000 steel wool, simple green, and wax. Learn to de-rust things (several ways) learn to sharpen (again, several options out there) then dive in. Taking a garage sale plane apart and putting it back together gets you intimate with the works and more comfortable with the use of the plane and how to adjust things.

Good Luck

Jeff

[Jacob Nothstine]

Estate Sales
I go out every Thursday and Friday on my lunch time. I have found a lot of great tools cheap.
http://www.estatesales.net/

Here is a real good book about hand tools. talks about what kind of hand planes to look for and how to restore them.
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Tool-Essentials-Techniques-Woodworking/dp/1558708154/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1338928074&sr=8-11

[Joe A Faulkner]

Tuning up an old Bailey or Stanley plane is not that hard. Start checking out local antique stores and/or Flea Markets. Look for a body that isn't banged up, look closely for chips around the mouth of the plane, and of course for missing parts, broken totes and/or knob. I dropped $75 on a #8 Jointer, but other than that, I've not spent more than $20 on any single plane. To date, my biggest investment has been in sharpening stones. If you are going to mess around with hand planes, you will need to adopt some system for honing the irons. I've had good luck using the original irons, though I know many advocate for upgrading the iron. As someone else pointed out, if you go too crazy upgrading these old planes, you can easily get half way to what it would cost to go with one of the highly regarded new planes.

[Jack Curtis]

I'd say save your money and buy a LN or LV low angle jack, which are such flexible planes that they do pretty much every task well enough. Then you can replace functions one by one as you gain experience. And you will save money, buying lots of stuff on ebay gets expensive.

[Mel Miller]

There are lots of good planes on Ebay for good prices. You just need to be sure of what it is, or ask questions before bidding. If the seller doesn't answer questions freely, or has a lot of bad feedback, wait for the next plane to come along. Don't deal with a seller that doesn't want to take returns. There are ways to get your money back thru Paypal if there is hidden damage or the item isn't as described. It doesn't take any more time to ask questions about something on Ebay than you would spend looking an overpriced plane over at an antique shop that probably won't take a return.

Mel

[Kenneth Speed]

Mr. Curtis made a good suggestion about a low angle jack plane. I have the LV plane and it is a phenomenal tool. On the other hand if you don't have that kind of money to spend I think you're generally pretty safe buying on Ebay. I think it cuts down the risk to buy a tool from someone whose descriptions shows they know what it's for. The people who are gitting rid of Granpa's old chunk of steel have no idea if it's any good or not.

I don't know what size planes you want to buy but I think the Miller's Falls planes were well made tools and are generally under priced compared to Stanley planes. I also think Sargent planes are often good values.

[Terry Beadle]

Just a thought. If you want to spend some time getting an old Stanley to perform...go for it. However, Jon Zimmer has some Stanley's and doesn't sell any junk. So if you want a good starter plane at a good price, give him a google and look them over.

I don't work or am related to Mr. Zimmer. Just a very satisfied customer. http://jonzimmersantiquetools.com/