Frederick Skelly
07-26-2014, 2:55 PM
Ok, so I continue to collect stuff I dont know how to use yet - guess Ive fallen down the slippery slope further. I know very little about wooden planes but Bickfords book on hollows and rounds got me interested in learning more. I figured if I could buy one hollow, one round and a rabbet plane, then I could try out some of what Bickford teaches. I really didnt want to spend much - this is just an exploration to see if I might like to pursue handmade moldings further in the future, and thereby retire my electric router.
So I dropped by my favorite antique/junk store. She had a very nice no-name rabbett plane. Its an inch wide and the blade is skewed. Theres no maker mark or any identification on it. But shes flat, square and undamaged (no checking, etc). Ill have to read up on how to tune it, but it seemed well worth the $12 I gave her.
I also bought a #4 round, made by Ohio Tool. It has worm marks/grooves on the one face but the sole and mouth are just fine. Gave her $10.
The last was a somewhat ratty #14 hollow, by A. Mathieson and Sons in Glasgow & Edinburgh. The iron says Mathieson on it too. The mouth of this one got worm eaten over the years and shows some checking on each end. The sole looks fine. Again, gave her $10, which I felt was too high but I needed a cheap hollow to try out and my other favorite dealer didnt have any.
I may try to fill the worm holes in the Mathieson with epoxy or some such, just to strengthen the mouth. (I think it will work as is. But its a chance to try a repair technique Ive been pondering with very little risk.) Or, I could just leave as-is and make it a decoration in the shop. Havent decided but would welcome your thoughts and advice there. Also, if anyone knows how I can date a wooden plane, Id appreciate a link or a lesson.
As always, thanks for teaching me. I really am enjoying the hand tool world.
Fred
So I dropped by my favorite antique/junk store. She had a very nice no-name rabbett plane. Its an inch wide and the blade is skewed. Theres no maker mark or any identification on it. But shes flat, square and undamaged (no checking, etc). Ill have to read up on how to tune it, but it seemed well worth the $12 I gave her.
I also bought a #4 round, made by Ohio Tool. It has worm marks/grooves on the one face but the sole and mouth are just fine. Gave her $10.
The last was a somewhat ratty #14 hollow, by A. Mathieson and Sons in Glasgow & Edinburgh. The iron says Mathieson on it too. The mouth of this one got worm eaten over the years and shows some checking on each end. The sole looks fine. Again, gave her $10, which I felt was too high but I needed a cheap hollow to try out and my other favorite dealer didnt have any.
I may try to fill the worm holes in the Mathieson with epoxy or some such, just to strengthen the mouth. (I think it will work as is. But its a chance to try a repair technique Ive been pondering with very little risk.) Or, I could just leave as-is and make it a decoration in the shop. Havent decided but would welcome your thoughts and advice there. Also, if anyone knows how I can date a wooden plane, Id appreciate a link or a lesson.
As always, thanks for teaching me. I really am enjoying the hand tool world.
Fred