Thread: Show off your planes

Here's my collection, from left to right:
Back row: Stanley #7, Stanley #7, Stanley #5, Stanley #4, Veritas bevel-up smoother, HNT Gordon jack plane (old style), Veritas scraper plane, Veritas low angle block plane, Lie-Nielsen edge trimmer.
Front row: Veritas bullnose plane, HNT Gordon 3/4 inch shoulder plane.

Why have two Stanley #7s? I bought the second to fourth planes in the back row at a garage sale. My (much better) other half later saw this big plane at another garage sale and proceeded to buy it for me, knowing how much I love using hand planes. It's actually pretty convenient being able to put off sharpening a blade and switch to the other plane. I'm thinking about whether to put different bevel angles on the two #7s. Currently both are at 30degrees. Any suggestions on whether this is worth doing on a #7?

Except for the #4 I have pulled apart and tuned up all the Stanleys and they are all regular users - I sort of gave up on the #4 when I bought the LV BU smoother. The next thing I want to do with the Stanleys is get some decent blades.

The only other plane that doesn't get much use is the LV scraper plane, all the rest are very regular users. I haven't really managed to get this plane & blade set up to do its job properly yet, despite several attempts. I got my handscraper to work first time, so I've been using that ever since. I'm not sure if I should persist with the scraper plane or sell it.

I just got the HNT jack plane (and you can check out the beautiful grain in the close up) so am getting used to the completely manual way of operating it. This is taking a bit longer than the HNT Gordon shoulder plane, which I managed to have set up and working first time. However, I've got enough results from the HNT jack plane to know that once I get the hang of it, it will be one of my favourites, if not the favourite.

Originally Posted by Harry R

Why have two Stanley #7s? I bought the second to fourth planes in the back row at a garage sale. My (much better) other half later saw this big plane at another garage sale and proceeded to buy it for me, knowing how much I love using hand planes. It's actually pretty convenient being able to put off sharpening a blade and switch to the other plane. I'm thinking about whether to put different bevel angles on the two #7s. Currently both are at 30degrees. Any suggestions on whether this is worth doing on a #7?



The only other plane that doesn't get much use is the LV scraper plane, all the rest are very regular users. I haven't really managed to get this plane & blade set up to do its job properly yet, despite several attempts. I got my handscraper to work first time, so I've been using that ever since. I'm not sure if I should persist with the scraper plane or sell it.

I can't think of a compelling reason to keep two number 7's, but someone else may.
If not, then the right hand one looks to be the keeper and the one on left to be the seller.
You wouldn't expect to use the LV scraper plane on a regular basis unless you are constantly working with cranky grain. When you have a large mixed direction grain surface to work you will be glad of it.
Thanks for sharing your collection.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

Maybe put a back bevel on the 2nd no. 7 for cranky grain?

SG & rsser,
thanks for the suggestions The #7 on the left is the one my (much better) other half gave me so selling it is not an option I'll try putting a back bevel on one of them and spend some more time on the scraper plane.

Originally Posted by Wongo

I have an idea. Take a picture of your plane collection and post it here tonight. C’mon show us your LV, LN, Majunfung, Stanley, Clifton, Record planes. What do you reckon?

Finally got around to taking apic .
here they are
Back row Matheson woodie , Boker smoother
Mid L_R Stanley #7 ,#5 ,#4, #3 and a Shelton whatever size.
Mid Stanley 112
Front Stanley 60 1/2 and a 9 1/2 ,unknown shoulder plane.
Forgot the Record 050C , Stanley 71 and the Stanley 78

OK, here's my small collection of planes.

On the back row left to right has a new English Stanley #4, an old English Stanley #5, and an old US made Stanley #7 (one of my pride and joys).

Front row left to right is an old English Stanley #71 with extra blades (my other pride and joy), followed by a Groz low angle block plane.

Not much compared to the beautiful collections seen on the forum but they are lovingly used by and quite precious to me

(I think I'm getting worse doctor...)

Hi Rick,

They all look like they are very well prepared and looked after. Particularly like the look of the No.7 and the 71. Beautiful condition.

Do the 3 Stanley bench planes have Stanley blades, they look like new?

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by Pops

Hi Rick,

They all look like they are very well prepared and looked after. Particularly like the look of the No.7 and the 71. Beautiful condition.

Do the 3 Stanley bench planes have Stanley blades, they look like new?

Cheers
Pops

Thanks Pops, the #71 is from Derek Cohen so it came to me in great condition and as sharp as...

The #4 came new from the local hardware so it ought to look new because it is!!

I think that the #7 is a real prize too. It's probably 98%, almost too good to actually use...almost.

I don't have a #3 yet but I may someday if I can keep SWMBO convinced that I need all of these things

The Stanley's are all sporting Stanley blades currently but I'm giving the Hock blades a good look for actual use...as an old Kentucky boy, I have a great love for good, sharpenable (is that a word?) steel.

I DO love my hand tools.

Cheers,

Hi Rick,

Arrh, a Derek #71. Lucky bloke, a very good pick-up. Derek does tune his gear particularly well. Whoever got his Stanley #140 got another great plane.

Several others on this forum have recommended using the Hock blades.

Best of luck with SWMBO. I would emply the standard bargaining approach of starting with a very, very long list, and hoping to achieve consent for maybe less than half. Better odds than starting with your exact reuirements. Aim high my friend, aim high, so many dark side tools, so little time.

Cheers
Pops

Harry -R
I see that you have the Lie-Nelson scraper plane, I have been thinking about getting one of them but I have had know one to ask how they really perform.
Can you please tell me what your thoughts and experiences with this plane and would it be worth getting one.

By the way I do like your planes.

Lovely to see these latest 'collections'. We need to keep this thread going - I find it fascinating.

I recently did up the Stanley 41/2 that was my grandfather's, and gave it back to my dad as he has rediscovered a desire to do woodworking. I'd much rather he use it again for as long as he wants to and then hand it back to either me or one of my brothers. I had to repair both handles, flatten and smooth the base, remove rust from just about all of it and get it all as nicely conditioned as I could. I left the blade unsharpened and we did it together. I noticed during the sharpening that it was a laminated blade (it is an old Stanley blade, probably the original). Dad said that the tote had been broken for well over 40 years and that the plane had not been used in all that time, so hopefully it will see many years of productivity now. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos - what an idiot...

two pictures of my Steiner reform smoother.
for those who like pictures...





Cheers Pedder

Hi all,
These are my favourite planes:
All old restored Stanley bench from type 7 to type 15 and some block planes.



Ciao,
Giuliano

Lovely Pedder.