Spiers no. 30 Handled Infill Coffin Smoother

**Colin62** · 16th May 2018, 02:38 AM

Well, I made an impulse purchase - I noticed a Spiers plane on auction on Sunday evening, put in a bid and received it this morning (Tuesday for me).

It’s marked SPIERS AYR on the toe; with a number 30 below that and DOVETAILED on the toe of the sole. It is 7 1/2” long, 2 5/8” wide and the blade is 2 1/4” wide. The blade is 5/32” thick and 7 1/4” long, with around 2” usable length.

Rosewood infill and handle, brass sides and steel sole. I haven’t been able to find much online, but suspect it’s not all that old, but it is in pretty good condition, and I suspect that it’s stood on a shelf more than it’s been used. I paid about $165 for it, and it’s my first non-bailey bench plane. It’ll be fun to sharpen it up and see how it compares to an old Stanley No 4 (assuming that my lack of skill doesn’t mask any subtle differences).

**orraloon** · 16th May 2018, 11:13 AM

Reckon you got a real bargin there. I think it will beat the stanley No4 at smoothing but will not be as versatile at general work. I have a dovetailed Mathieson smoother and it's just that a smoother. A very good smoother however.
Expecting to see some nice pics of fine fluffy shavings soon.
Regards
John

**Gaza58** · 16th May 2018, 02:23 PM

Nice find and a bargain to well done

**hiroller** · 17th May 2018, 10:27 PM

Nice score Colin! Looks like it’s in pretty decent condition.
Please don’t over clean it, it’s worth more with the patina.

**Colin62** · 17th May 2018, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by hiroller

Nice score Colin! Looks like it’s in pretty decent condition.
Please don’t over clean it, it’s worth more with the patina.

Thanks everyone.

No chance of me over-cleaning it, I’ll just make sure the sole is fairly flat and clean, and do a bit on the bottom end of the blade and chip breaker to make sure it’s able to work as well as I can get it working. We’ve had three days of cold and drizzle since I got it, and I’ve not been able to bring myself to go and freeze out in the workshop since then. I’m hoping to get some time this weekend.

**C.R. Miller** · 27th October 2018, 11:00 PM

You've done really well for $165! This is normally a $900 to $1500 hand plane. Very collectible!

It's a later model Spiers - probably from the 1920's or 1930's.

**auscab** · 1st November 2018, 09:25 PM

Wow ! Great impulse buy Colin.
Its an all original Gunmetal sided Spiers Smoother. You don't see them up for sale every day .

Rob

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