Thread: Good value for money (new)

One advantage of picking up an old Stanley or two is that you’ll almost always be able to get back most of what you spent on them if you decide later that you don’t need them any more. I can’t see a point anytime in my lifetime where there won’t be a demand for good usable old Stanley planes.

Originally Posted by Colin62

One advantage of picking up an old Stanley or two is that you’ll almost always be able to get back most of what you spent on them if you decide later that you don’t need them any more. I can’t see a point anytime in my lifetime where there won’t be a demand for good usable old Stanley planes.

I second this point here if you want to save some $$$ more so if you're not sure of your hand tool requirements.Most of the good Stanleys will work fine some may need a little bit of attention better off saving your hard earned for other facets of your needs within your ww needs.

One day, not now.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

In other words, buy them twice. Plus, you'll barely be able to give away the low end tool for next to no $$$ when you upgrade to something better. As far as "the most important ones" goes, a jack plane is surely at the top of the list for most people? Why not buy a decent low angle jack (e.g. Veritas) at least, maybe later add a spare blade you can sharpen at a higher angle for cranky grain? This plane is also excellent on a shooting board. Until you've used a good quality tool, you don't know what you're missing out on.

I should add that I started out with crappy Record planes which required hours of work to get them working even half decently, and frustrated me no end until I got some decent tools. Virtually impossible to sell the low end tools later, so I think I ended up donating them to the poor and needy of the parish. The only exception is a Record #5, which is so utterly useless that I wouldn't wish it on anyone else. One day I'll take it down the back paddock, shoot it, and bury it in a shallow grave.

I'm curious as to how old these record planes were, because I've had about 10 and they were all pretty good. I haven't had any that were at the end of the Record run, though.

they're so cheap in England that you can pay international shipping, use them, and still resell them at no loss in the US. Especially 4 1/2s. I think I bought two from the UK for 20-25 pounds each (they're not listed for that all the time, but if you're willing to be patient and participate in auctions, you'll find good deals here and there).

Just as an update 8 months later, I now have four Luban planes: plough, rebate, smoothing, jack


I like them.