goodvibes 20th July 2022, 07:06 PM Hi guys & gals. Some years since I have been here - arthritis in the hands killed my beginner level journey into hand woody learning and I kind of lost the will to play in the forum and disposed of my own small collection of nice tools.
But I remember well how amazingly generous people in this group are, and this is not about me. A young builder's apprentice in my small comunity in coastal Victoria has been horribly banged up in a car accident and faces a very long road to recovery to get his body and brain back on line. He is expected to make a fairly decent level of recovery, but we are probably measuring the rehab in years, not months.
Long story short, his godfather wants to get him a lifetime toolbox tool - specifically a No 4 or maybe a 4&1/2 plane - to go on the shelf in his room as a symbol of where he wants to get to. A peak era Stanley, or the budget might even extend to a Turner if anyone's got too many of them cluttering up the house :U . Doesn't have to be over the top polished and preened, we want a top notch working tool that's not going to feel over dressed on a building site but is not slapped together from odd parts.
To say I was shocked at the price of rubbish on a well known online auction platform after a few years of not taking notice would be an understatement. Most of it with upside down cutters, plastic handles, no disassembled photos and obvious mismatched parts. Sheesh.
Not asking for a gift or a discount. Just want to get the kid's godfather a tool he can be proud to put in there as a symbol of where the road leads. So I'm asking you guys, because I know that if you offer a plane for sale, it will be a good 'un. MORE THAN HAPPY TO PAY FULL MARKET PRICE appropriate to the quality of the item at today's prices. Perfect opportunity for one of you (all of you?) whose spouse is sure you have too many tools.
Thanks for reading, GV
Mountain Ash 21st July 2022, 01:48 PM Hi GV. Maybe "Funky Pickers" might have something. Their prices aren't too bad but it would probably have to be fixed up.
goodvibes 21st July 2022, 05:18 PM Hi GV. Maybe "Funky Pickers" might have something. Their prices aren't too bad but it would probably have to be fixed up.
Worth a try. I will go in tomorrow and see what he has laying around. At least from there I am reasonably confident it will have come off a farm or estate sale as a complete tool.
Mountain Ash 21st July 2022, 06:25 PM The two guys who run the big place on the Bass Hwy (Bass Bazaar?) have some tools too. I left behind a reasonable Record #4 last time I was there. Should have bought it but.....
Chief Tiff 21st July 2022, 08:45 PM I have an ex-UK Ministry Of Defence Record 4 that I am willing to donate to you for the price of postage ($15); stamped on one side with the NATO stock number and year of manufacture (1974). It has wooden handles and is in good user condition but with some of the chrome on the lever cap peeled off. Cosmetic issue only; and certainly won’t look out of place on a building site! No rust; just a little patina.
It was my first ever proper hand plane and was what I used to begin my learning curve (I don’t believe we ever finish learning!). I have had it to one side now for several years with the intention of passing it on, unfortunately I’m not home for another week and so can’t get you any photos till then.
Chief Tiff 21st July 2022, 09:01 PM Or… I have a US type 16 (1933 to 1941) with the original wooden rosewood handles. This was the first model where Stanley started to look at reducing the cost of manufacturing but before they began loosening their tolerances before simply losing them altogether. So; it’s about as “peak era” as you could wish for. That one I’d let you have for $75 including postage.
Again; can’t get photos for another week.
Oh; if you do pick either of mine I will ensure it will perform straight away.
goodvibes 22nd July 2022, 09:42 AM I have an ex-UK Ministry Of Defence Record 4 that I am willing to donate to you for the price of postage ($15); stamped on one side with the NATO stock number and year of manufacture (1974). It has wooden handles and is in good user condition but with some of the chrome on the lever cap peeled off. Cosmetic issue only; and certainly won’t look out of place on a building site! No rust; just a little patina.
It was my first ever proper hand plane and was what I used to begin my learning curve (I don’t believe we ever finish learning!). I have had it to one side now for several years with the intention of passing it on, unfortunately I’m not home for another week and so can’t get you any photos till then.
Many thanks Chief. Way generous, too generous. Those kind of identification marks typically double or triple the retail value of a tool (though I would not accuse you of confusing retail value for the point of this search).
For me, the plane you describe is a brilliant fit to the purpose. Goes right to the heart of a tool to put in the box on the first day back at work, not a vaguely related ornament - and made all the better by coming from the bench of a guy who has gone a ways down the road of learning. I will be seeing the guy at an (unrelated) funeral and wake today and will run it by him - then get back to you by PM in the next few days. I am, however, fairly certain he is going to dig his heels in hard over it being a donation. Perhaps we can work out something in the traditional arena of barter for your beverage of choice.....
goodvibes 22nd July 2022, 09:47 AM Or… I have a US type 16 (1933 to 1941) with the original wooden rosewood handles. This was the first model where Stanley started to look at reducing the cost of manufacturing but before they began loosening their tolerances before simply losing them altogether. So; it’s about as “peak era” as you could wish for. That one I’d let you have for $75 including postage.
Again; can’t get photos for another week.
Oh; if you do pick either of mine I will ensure it will perform straight away.
Will also tell him of this one. Which is radically under priced. The handles are comfortably worth that much, but what use are handles without a plane?
I suspect he might pick the Stanley, though I might be wrong. I would likely go for the Record if it were me. Will get back to you.
Thank you so much.
Chief Tiff 22nd July 2022, 12:30 PM Will also tell him of this one. Which is radically under priced. The handles are comfortably worth that much, but what use are handles without a plane?
I have too many planes (if such a thing is possible :D)... mainly because I trip over them at bargain prices and can't pass them by at that price! I have three valuations for them; what they're worth in the contemporary market; what I paid for them; and what SWMBO may think I may have paid... it is rare for that order to change...
I have also purchased tools from Forum members who have heavily discounted their worth; IanW is a shining example of rhykenologic philanthropy as I don't think he's ever sold a single plane for more than half of it's true value.
So I am offering you these two in the spirit of "paying it forwards"; I have benefitted in the past from the generosity of other members and hope to do so again in the future (with particular emphasis on getting first refusal on Ian's next cull...:rolleyes:)
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