Handplane Collection

[Radek Kowalski]

I am looking to start using and getting more and more hand planes. I have a couple stanleys right now.

http://www.radeksfishroom.com/images/furniture/bigplane.jpg (http://www.radeksfishroom.com/images/furniture/bigplane.jpg)

http://www.radeksfishroom.com/images/furniture/smallplane.jpg (http://www.radeksfishroom.com/images/furniture/smallplane.jpg)

What are the different types for? What should I look for when I see them on auction sites and what are good deals? Thanks.

[Jacob Reverb]

Good info here:

http://supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

[Mark Roderick]

Buy and read The Handplane Book.

[Ken Parris]

For someone getting into planes, Mark has made the very best suggestion possible. Get The Handplane Book, by Garrett Hack.

[steve swantee]

I must agree with Mark as well. I bought the Handplane Book about a year ago and it is one of my favorite books, and absolutely packed with useful info.

Steve

[Bill Houghton]

although it has some not so useful parts, is "Planecraft," available from Woodcraft (woodcraft.com and franchise stores across the U.S.) or from half.com, often at slightly higher prices than a brand new book at Woodcraft. This is a reprint of a British book that, in my opinion, is a useful complement to "The Handplane Book," going into more detail in certain areas of handplane use. It's also not expensive: about $12. So you'll have more money to buy tools and wood.

[Richard Niemiec]

Check this out: http://www.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/planes1.php

Written by Bob Feeser from some posts on another forum, its likely got more practical information than you would get in any published book on the topic. Frankly, I'd go into a Borders or Barnes & Noble and just sit there and read "The Handplane Book" and look at the purty pictures, but practical things that you really want to know, in my experience, isn't really there.

Also, go here: http://www.rexmill.com/ for more practical information as well. More general information, but some plane articles as well, are here: http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDocs/Wood_How_To/INDEX_How_To.htm

Patrick's "Blood and Gore" link has also been provided above, and is well worth your reading. And do google, as there are many, many other sites out there by woodworkers who are gracious enough to pass along their knowledge.

Don't forget manufacturers other than Stanley, as planes made by Millers Falls make excellent users and can often be had for less than the price vintage Stanley's command. See this site: http://oldtoolheaven.com/ for the "Millers Falls Home Page" and go to the plane section.

As far as deals, some say you can do well on ebay, frankly I've been burned as often as not by misleading descriptions, so if you are not very knowledgable as to the nuances of type and condition and don't really know what you are looking for sometimes the bargain hunt just ain't a bargain. Read, learn, watch the classifieds below to get an idea of pricing, or those at Woodnet which also has an active classified section, for planes sold by woodworkers who actually used them or know what they are selling, who will generally give you a full description and in most cases also point out any flaws in condition that are meaningful to a collector but not a user. Pricing is generally fair although some have an unrealistic expectation of value, generally based on their prior purchase price. The planes are sometimes tuned up as being former "users" so there is some added value.

Study, grasshopper, and then don't forget that once you have done your homework, there's a lot of buying opportunities at flea markets and garage sales; you might have some condition issues to clean up, and you'll have to do your own fettling, but its not unusual to be able to pick up #4s, #5s and the occasional more exotic planes for $20 or less, but that takes some expertise to know what the heck you are buying and a considerable amount of time to hunt these items down, so as they say time equals money. Stay away from cracked castings on plane bodies, avoid "frankenplanes", stick generally with Stanley, Millers Falls, Record. A few words of advice on the hunt: avoid Stanleys with blue japanning, don't shy away from "Wartime" Stanleys, look for the Millers Falls planes with the two piece lever cap, don't worry so much about cracked totes and always practice safe sex. :)

Good luck. RN

[Richard Niemiec]

Oh, PS, neither of your planes look like Stanleys to me.

[Rob Luter]

The bench plane is a Defiance. These were made by Stanley at one point in time.

[Richard Niemiec]

Yeah, you're right, a hardware store low end model; very early Defiance planes were made by Leonard Bailey after he sold his patents and had a falling out with Stanley, those are worth serious money to collectors, but somehow I don't think this was one of them.

[Radek Kowalski]

Both are LOW end models. Is this a good deal?

The Bailey #2 looks like its a deal.

OH uh.. I think I just broke the rules. Ok well, 30 dollars for

Millers falls 14" x 2 1/2"
Stanely Bailey No2 9" x 2 1/2"
Stanley C557MP 9 1/2" x 2 12"
Stanley NO 78 8 1/4" x 1 1/2"
No name 4" x 1"
No name 3 1/2" x 1"
Stanley 3 1/2" x 1"

Thanks for the rest of the tips. I will be picking up the book soon.