Record 405 Plane

[Wood Borer]

I have been offered a Record 405 Plane (cost = zero) in excellent condition by the original owner. It is still in its orginal wooden box with all the cutters.

I have heard they can be awkward to use at first. Has anyone had experience with one or got any comments to make about them.

- Wood Borer

[derekcohen]

Wood Borer

It is a nasty, difficulty, worthless piece of junk!!! Send it to me and I'll dispose of it a way that no one else will again be bothered by it again. Oh please, please, please, please........

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Vonrek]

the 2 piece body and screw adjustment for the depth of cut which locates in a notch in the side of the cutter? I think I have it but not 100% on the number, it's out in the shed at the moment. I believe my little booklet says mine is the Improved 405 (again not 100% on this right now) Combination Plane. Mine has a sky blue enamal finish and worked very well when i used it. A little finnicky to set up before you get the hang of it but the original cutters are of very good quality steel and sharpen up a real treat.
I used mine quite a bit before I got a router, and even since I have reached for it to do a quick grooving job when the router was stuck in the table or would just have taken too long to set up. It does take a certain knack to use it well ( as with all hand-planing I guess) but the results always had a nice hand planed finish without the need for sanding. If you can get one for 0$ then it would be well worth it, even if just to then perhaps sell (if you don't feel ethically challanged by this). Check out ebay for a guide on price. I have and they are often for sale from anywhere from US$200 upwards!!

I have been considering selling mine for some time, but it I thought it might be difficult in Oz as there doesn't seem to be huge market. Derek if your'e interested drop me an email!!

Tim

[derekcohen]

Tim

Thanks for the offer. Actually, I have a Stanley #45. The only missing part is the splitter - so if you have one for sale I'll buy it.

I agree, the #405/45 (and 55) do take some practice to make work well. The secret is, I think (since I am still a novice with this plane), to take VERY fine cut since the plane does not provide any support for the blade at the "mouth". Very easy to get tear out with this plane (I'm very good at doing so! I need much more practice before I will use it on a project). Yet I have seen others produce wonderful architraves and beads using this plane.

I must say it is so nice to be able to pull out a specialised plane to do a specific cut, and for the whole process to take a few minutes, than to set up my router table. I have just purchased a Stanley #66 beading spokeshave. I have also just completed making a chamfer plane - very pleased with this (and will post pics soon).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Robert WA]

This is a copy of the Stanley 45, so I am told.
http://www.marquis-kyle.com.au/record405.htm
http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan6.htm#num45
Here is some information on both.