Thread: Old or Used Tools

John

I went to the Show today and met up with Derek Cohen and Robert (and Ros) from Albany. We had a bit of lunch together and a pleasant yarn before a wander around the Show. It was great to put faces to names.

The old tools display was certainly worth a visit. I bought a couple of handplanes, after some expert advice from Derek (of course!) and had a long hard look at some old chisels. I restrained myself, however, from buying anything else. My wife is convinced that the actual woodwork is not what I'm interested in - rather it's the tools. She's threatening to buy me some wood so that I can actually make something!

Sorry we didn't have a chance to catch up. Maybe next time.

Regards

Col

Oh yes .... tools. A few did follow me home from the WA show. They were lonely and missing their cousins and I took pity on them. My wife is used to being a foster parent to all sorts of tool strays. They usually clean up quite well and are permitted to extend their stay.

Yesterday's purchases included 2 rip saws (one Disston and one Spear & Jackson) and 2 panel saws (again one Disston and one Spear & Jackson) - total $90, a new Eclipse saw set for $12, a nice brace (could not read the name but nicer that the average Stanley) along with a full set of auger bits for $40, and a #80 scraper plane for $30. The saws are very nice additions to the collect ... tool chest. They are collector-worthy but also good users. I'm very happy with these finds.

It was so nice to meet up with Robert (Robert WA) and his wife Ros, and Col (Driver). A friend of mine, Peter, was also there, and of course the lunch time topic was tools, travels involving tools, experiences involving tools, before wandering around the show to ... you guessed it - look at tools!

Robert - I'm sorry that you missed me Sunday morning. I was at my son's Footie game. I thoiught you'd be coming around in the afternoon. Unfortunately I did not have your telephone number to check arrangements. Try and organise something in Perth as an excuse for a visit. Let me know.

Incidentally, I'm a member of the Old Tool Preservation Society of WA. We meet once a month (first Thursday evening). If any out there want more info, just contact me.

Regards from Perth

Derek

On the topic of old tools, on the weekend in a junk shop I saw a Bailey No3 patent date 02. The wooden handles where scared but through use not abuse, the blade and components where lightly rusted, the mechanics worked. The sole was lightly rusted but flat and without scars except a chip in the edge where it had bit something hard (like hitting 2 steel rules edge on edge) this may have been able to sand flat but there would still be a chip missing.

The owners didn't know anything about tools in general and had it for sale at $30.
Not knowing enough about planes or anything about restoring planes I left it there.
So tell me ....... was it fixable, what is it really worth, shuold I hit myself in the head.

Dave

I'm very new to this and therefore no expert. However, Derek Cohen certainly is and will be able to give you an informed opinion.

That said, my experience as a novice in restoring old planes may be of some value to you since we're both at the start point, so to speak.

One of the handplanes I bought on the weekend (see above) is a Stanley Bailey 4½ with the same patent date (02). It cost $75. I spent most of yesterday stripping it down and cleaning it. Part of the process was to hone the cap and cutting irons. I used the scary sharp method (plenty of postings on the BB about this). The end result is a plane that feels and handles a great deal better than a couple of new planes I bought last year. It cuts well already and I'll improve that by investing in new cap and cutting irons. I had a fair bit of fun and some genuine satisfaction in fixing the plane yesterday. There's no doubt that the older planes are a good deal better than the new ones and will repay a bit of TLC.

I recommend you get back to the junk shop and spend the $30.

Beware, however! This handplane thing is addictive and you could easily find yourself becoming an addict. You have been warned!

Good luck!

Col

Col, could'nt agree more re the above post on addiction to old tools.
Sorry I missed you and the other guy's ... was busy trying to decide how not to spend my money

Cheers