Thread: So what are people's thoughts on buying a damaged plane?

I wouldn't buy it and I definitely would not buy it at $50 if I had not seen it in person.With the collection you already have you are unlikely to miss it for it's function, and if you want it to complete a set you could find a better one without a broken body and broken handle. It may just require some patience.

If you want a collection just to use then this sort of damage won't affect it's usefulness, if you want a collection as a collection then I'd be waiting for a nicer example.

I've been offered this 4.5 SS posted for $110. Do you think this is better. It is a "for use" collection but I'm still not sold on the damaged one.
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Offer $25 for the broken one.

no!

You will feel so disappointed later when the novelty of the new plane has worn off, and you recognise that you want to replace it with a plane worthy of being in your collection. There are better #4 1/2 Records around. Is not the chase half the fun?

Have a look on the UK eBay, or contact Ray isles.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have been down the same path of buying planes by their numbers. If you are focussed on using the tools, then I suggest buying them by their function, not their number. I have a fantastic SW era Stanley 4.5 that I spent an age super tuning, only to find out it was a lot more work to smooth with than my #3. And a #5.5 is even harder again. I'm not into hard work for the sake of it, so just use #3, #5 (as a scrub), LNLAJ (as a Jack) and #7, all super tuned with Hock blades. I sold all the others to buy far more useful tools.

"Offer $25 for the broken one."

It's $24 plus $15 postage.

a chipped sole, what looks like a broken tote, and you don't seem to have a functional need for it... seems like a no brainer. Isn't the hunt a big part of the point?

My definition of a fixerupperer is something where you can replace or fix all the broken or missing bits and finish up with a fully workable tool that you will be proud to own.

Very difficult to repair the cast steel sole, so you'll eventually be looking to replace that component.........

OR, junk the broken sole and what have you left to work with.

Frankly, I would not pay the postage!


Cheers

Graeme

The only time I would knowingly buy a damaged tool is if I needed it for parts to repair something I already own, and then it needs to be very cheap before I'm tempted.

I guess on reflection I'm better of sticking with my perfect Stanley 4.5 and putting the $ towards a plane I don't have. Below is my collection so far. The newest purchase is the Record 5.5 that hasn't yet been cleaned up and the bullnose plane my father gave me last weekend (I think he felt bad I couldn't attend the TTTG sale due to injury).

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Ok, so what are you thoughts on this as a fixer upper that's on EBay? It's a Record Stanley bastard but the sole is a no 6 Record. I don't think no 6's are too common are they?

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I think that you're in the enviable position with your collection that you don't need to buy anything less than exactly what you need. A prewar number 7 that hasn't suffered too much would be my next purchase, were I in your shoes.