Those Chinese planes - where to buy?

[Arron]

A while ago I bought three of those cheap Mujingfang (? spelling) Chinese planes. I thought they would be really crappy, but actually they work really well, and now I use them all the time. I even use the little 4inch long job where I would use a spokeshave if I knew how to use one. Now I'm after some of the sizes or styles that I dont have, but Pauls has only a few left and they are in the models that I already have, so anyone know anywhere else that sells them?

cheers
Arron

[derekcohen]

I am curious too, particularly as I would like to pick up a few more to go with those I already have (especially a shoulder plane). The ones I have ARE really great planes and, for their cost, extremely good competition for HNT Gordon.

I have not come across an Oz retailer. However, they are available from the USA (still quite cheaply in view of the current exchange rates). Try:

http://www.thejapanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=11844

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Wongo]

Hi Arron,

I also bought 3 from Pauls and they are very good. To my knowledge, they come from a small factory in Hong Kong (I can read the Chinese at the back). May be it was a 1-off from Pauls. It is very hard to believe such good planes are sold for $20 each.

Scott

[Arron]

seeing the price of them on the US website, I thought I had better drop into Pauls on the way home. One of the shop staff said that they had them because the factory had closed down and they had bought all the remaining stock they were offered. There wont be any more.

Pauls dont have many left. Rooting around under the benches by the cash register I managed to find 2 patterns I didnt have. I also noticed one in a display cabinet, marked at $70, and the salesman said I could also have that at the same $20 price as the others.

After my little plunge, all they have left is 5inch models at $15 and 285mm models at $20.