Thread: What Do You Do With A #2?

Originally Posted by seanz

Who's got a #2? And do you use it and what do you use it for?

Not me I've got largish hands.

I think they're for collectors and children - and they're too valuable for children.

That's not to say I wouldn't pick one up if it was cheap enough....

Cheers, Vann.

Not me either - even a #3 is a bit of a struggle.....

These days some block planes (e.g Veritas DX60) are about the same length as a #2 anyway, and at least I can get hold of those.

I use it no problem, but normally I hold it like using a coffin smoother. For making small parts for musical instruments, it's a pretty good size. Even though I wouldn't use No.1 in bench plane format, I have a wooden coffin smoother in No.1 size too and it gets used quite a bit. It's tall and provides better grip than block plane or bench plane. I have No.3 & No.4, but they have their use appropriately sized tasks, but for smaller work like prepping bridge blank for guitars, they are little too big even though not unreasonably so. Outside of the realm of furniture making, small planes like that have their place. I wouldn't discount them as for kids and people with small hands, or worse "salesman's sample".

I use my # 2 on pieces of wood that are too large for my # 1. There are times when the little smooother can get in and save your hindquarters when cleaning up tear out and such. Small planes for small things. My kids used the heck out of my # 1 making shavings from cedar. I have big hands, they are easy to hold, just don't think you can get your fingers around the tote, I can barely get mine in a #3. Not the first plane to buy but they have their place.
Mike

The #1 & #2 are a different beast to the usual suspects (#4 and #5 etc)

Your hand tends to enclose the whole plane rather than grip the tote. The gap between the tote and the workings is just so you can get your fingers in to adjust blade depth etc.

The uses are similar in use to a block plane but you have different control because of the changed hand grip.

As has been said many times you can get by with only a few hand tools (1 chisel, 1 plane etc.) but it does help to have the perfect tool for the perfect job.

Originally Posted by seanz

Who's got a #2? And do you use it and what do you use it for?

Had one - tried to use it and eventually gave up. My hands are just too big.
My smallest bench plane is a number 3.
I sold the number 2. I hope the new owner has hands small enough to get some use out of it.
I think that for people with big mits, something like this is more useful:


Cheers
SG

I have the #1 and the #2 and often find they are alright for small tasks such as a chamfer relief .

Admittedly for those with large hands they can be something of an issue but for those of us with smaller hands they are ok for smaller tasks ,also good for those younger folk in their tender years to get the feel of a plane.

Cheers

OK, this has been very interesting and helpful. I hadn't considered using the #2 like a coffin smoother.
Hmmm......thing is, I've got a little coffin smoother that will fill that niche once I re-hab the blade.

Thanks for all the replies.

Hi Seanz,
Either most of the Chaps commenting are well off, or do not know the Price of No.1's & No. 2's.
At the Castlemaine Swap Meet ( Vic ) back in April this year I saw the No. 1 for $1585
& the No. 2, they were asking $ 545.
Whether they sold or not I don't know.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Seanz,
Either most of the Chaps commenting are well off, or do not know the Price of No.1's & No. 2's.
At the Castlemaine Swap Meet ( Vic ) back in April this year I saw the No. 1 for $1585
& the No. 2, they were asking $ 545.
Whether they sold or not I don't know.

No.2 went for quite reasonably (less than US$200) for some time, often went as low as US$120 on eBay a couple of years ago. Not sure how it's like now, but it's not as outrageously priced as you expect. On top of that, Lie Nielsen models are priced far cheaper than what you saw at swap meet. I know these prices are still a lot more than $35 to $50 you'd pay for other planes, but like I said, they have their place and it makes sense to invest into acquiring one in some cases.

Stanley 2 SW vintage smooth plane . Cutter has a few minor rust/pitting spots, the rest of the plane is fine with well over 95% of the original finish intact. A$ 285 postage Australia included

New Listings

Cheers
SG

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Seanz,
Either most of the Chaps commenting are well off, or do not know the Price of No.1's & No. 2's.
At the Castlemaine Swap Meet ( Vic ) back in April this year I saw the No. 1 for $1585
& the No. 2, they were asking $ 545.
Whether they sold or not I don't know.

Thats about the size of it currently ,I have had mine for a lot of years now.
Admittedly they were no where that price way back then.

If looking around you still have to be circumspect on the condition of these older planes and really whether they would suit your needs.

Unfortunately a lot are locked away in cupboards by collecters and very seldom see a work bench let alone the light of day.

Cheers

Originally Posted by issatree

Either most of the Chaps commenting are well off, or do not know the Price of No.1's & No. 2's.

If I were contemplating a No.1 or a No.2 (and I'm not) I'd go for a Lie-Nielsen at $US225 and $US245 respectively. Probably better quality than a vintage Stanley/Record - I'll leave them for the real collectors .

Anyway, there's no way I'd let my kids touch a $1000 vintage jobbie (I'm not sure I'd trust myself wth one either... ).

Cheers, Vann.

A #2 and a #5 went for $88 on trademe the other day... stanley number 2 & 5 | Trade Me