Thread: Old Planes/Levels

Most old wooden planes started life as good quality tools. They can end up a bit sad and unloved however.
Good things to look for are length of useful remaining blade. No cracks, borers or bad twist in the body. All the parts are there. A little rust can be dealt with but bad pitting on blades is a problem. Depending on price a good blade and chipbreaker can be worth saving even if the body is cactus. Most of the old British planes are good so if you see Matheson, Marples, Preston, Sorby, Jowet and plenty more. Stamped on ironwork made in Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, England and some others. Add to that plenty good planes made Germany, USA, Sweeden, Holland, Japan and now even China but caution there if not sure what you are looking at.
Next time there take pics and the experts here will give advice.
In the meantime do some research. Plenty info out there on line.
And just to see how they work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2lvF8-nc_Q
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

Most old wooden planes started life as good quality tools. They can end up a bit sad and unloved however.
Good things to look for are length of useful remaining blade. No cracks, borers or bad twist in the body. All the parts are there. A little rust can be dealt with but bad pitting on blades is a problem. Depending on price a good blade and chipbreaker can be worth saving even if the body is cactus. Most of the old British planes are good so if you see Matheson, Marples, Preston, Sorby, Jowet and plenty more. Stamped on ironwork made in Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, England and some others. Add to that plenty good planes made Germany, USA, Sweeden, Holland, Japan and now even China but caution there if not sure what you are looking at.
Next time there take pics and the experts here will give advice.
In the meantime do some research. Plenty info out there on line.
And just to see how they work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2lvF8-nc_Q
Regards
John

Thanks for the advice. Next time i'll have a proper look (2 year old son permitting). I wasn't looking for them, just came across them in my search for cheap old clamps.

If i come across them again and the price is right i might roll the dice on a couple if they look complete and not too far gone. I'll keep those brand names and features in mind.

To give you a price perspective I recently sold these on eBay:

DSC_2143 (Large).jpg DSC_2214.jpg

The first went for $29 and the second $43. Both were in good condition though the first was missing the blade and cap iron. The second was in exceptional condition with both blades still having plenty of life left. Both were Matheson & Son of Glasgow clearly stamped into one end.

There's a very good video by Paul Sellers where he tunes then uses one of these types of planes. It produces good results.