Auburn Tool Company Plow Plane

[ken hatch]

I've used a Sandusky Tool Company plow plane for some years. I've also had the Veritas small plow for a number of years. Of the two I much prefer the wood stock, I will not go into all the reasons but anyone that has used a good wooden plow will know why. Anyway I'll cut to the chase, a few days ago I had a few minutes to waste and made the mistake of checking some tool sellers sites and came across a beautiful Auburn plow plane from the late 1800s. At first I passed it by but after sleeping on it, I figured what the heck it is only money and damn the plow sure was pretty. Bottom line, I whipped out the AmEx and it arrived yesterday.

Here is a photo of the Sandusky on the left and the Auburn on the right. Both work very well and I expect I'll keep a #4 cutter in one and a #5 in the other most of the time and just use the one with the needed cutter. Did I mention it sure is pretty.

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Click it to big it,
ken

[ken hatch]

I forgot to add, in the background are a bunch of tools I'm going to try and sell tomorrow. In the wood box on the right is a Stanley 45 with all the cutters that has been taking up shelf space for close to 40 years. It is time for it to go.
ken

[steven c newman]

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Part of an auction table I was at, a few years ago....

[Norb Schmidt]

Nice set up Ken. Is the Auburn a Rosewood plane? I've only used slide arm planes and really like that set up. Vintage planes tend to lose their irons, and its seemingly hard (and expensive) to find a set with a consistent elliptical curve in the blade so as to have the wedge set it correctly (in my experience). Having a dedicated #4 & #5 will be great. I'm hoping to take possession of a new J.Wilding plow plane here in the coming months. No fettling.....at least on that one....

Congrats. I love the way wooden planes provide valuable feedback as well as my own ability to keep them squared up as I use them for plows and rabbets. Once you add a beading plane and H&R's you'll be putting molding on everything.

[ken hatch]

Nice set up Ken. Is the Auburn a Rosewood plane? I've only used slide arm planes and really like that set up. Vintage planes tend to lose their irons, and its seemingly hard (and expensive) to find a set with a consistent elliptical curve in the blade so as to have the wedge set it correctly (in my experience). Having a dedicated #4 & #5 will be great. I'm hoping to take possession of a new J.Wilding plow plane here in the coming months. No fettling.....at least on that one....

Congrats. I love the way wooden planes provide valuable feedback as well as my own ability to keep them squared up as I use them for plows and rabbets. Once you add a beading plane and H&R's you'll be putting molding on everything.

Norb,

that at is a beautiful plane. Two questions, what is the wait time and which did you order.

ken

[Norb Schmidt]

Wait time - about a year....Jeremiah is backed up and that (to me) is a good thing for him, so no complaints. I ordered the slide arm with a brass depth stop. He makes all the parts himself - including casting the depth stop. I have a moving fillister (yes I know dedicated rabbet planes are all i need...) and am very happy with the workmanship and plane function. I'll post pictures when I get it in. The only good thing about a long wait list is that it helps with budgeting. Just stick a Benjamin in a can once a month and it doesn't hurt so bad....

[ken hatch]

Wait time - about a year....Jeremiah is backed up and that (to me) is a good thing for him, so no complaints. I ordered the slide arm with a brass depth stop. He makes all the parts himself - including casting the depth stop. I have a moving fillister (yes I know dedicated rabbet planes are all i need...) and am very happy with the workmanship and plane function. I'll post pictures when I get it in. The only good thing about a long wait list is that it helps with budgeting. Just stick a Benjamin in a can once a month and it doesn't hurt so bad....

Norb,

Thanks, after looking at his web site I may (will) take your advise. What can I say other than I'm a sucker for beautiful tools.

ken