Hi all,

I'm hoping someone here can help out an enthusiastic newbie with a Stanley #9 1/2. This will be for use, not to sit on a shelf, so cosmetics aren't an issue, but defects affecting performance will be. I enjoy restoring and fettling, so am hoping to save some money getting something that would work well after a good clean up.

Not interested in newer versions of the plane (i.e. nothing from the second half of the last century), as we all know the oldies work best

For the last couple of years all I've been working with is a #3 and a #5 (purchased off this site, and restored myself). I did have plans to buy a nice new Lie-Nielsen, but then I went and chucked in my office job in Melbourne to move to the country and become a chippy, so those sorts of extravagances aren't going to happen any more.

I promise a good and loving home with plenty of use and good care. And with any luck I'll be able to pass it onto my son one day (I just finished building him a scaled down Roubo bench for his 4th birthday).

Thanks,
Sean