Thread: No 7 Jointer - advice please.

Originally Posted by andrewr79

I bags the record #7 when you move onto restoring Sargents or Falcons

I went to see Vann yesterday. I think it's fair to say that the man has "issues"

It was the entire shelf full of record #4s that started me worrying.

Originally Posted by NZStu

It was the entire shelf full of record #4s that started me worrying.

So the thing you're all wondering is: so how big was the shelf?

I was warned this plane thing is a slippery slope when I first found these forums. I want to know how NZStu has managed such constraint? (He's only got 4 or 5 TOTAL ). If you've got the antidote to plane fever Stu, there's a lot of money to be made selling it to the partners of addicts such as myself.

Andrew, I've managed to resist the temptation of Sargents. So would two No.4s nailed back to back do instead....?

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

Andrew, I've managed to resist the temptation of Sargents. So would two No.4s nailed back to back do instead....?

I'm liking the idea - let's leave both blades in place, the back slightly deeper set than the other - two shavings each pass....hmmm...this could work

It's a very slippery slope indeed. I started with two last Christmas, a Trojan block and smoother. I've now got....um.....lots?. Last addition was a router plane. Sad thing is I'm still on the lookout for a #3 and a #7, you'd think I had enough!

Now I'm wondering if there are any markets on this moring

Originally Posted by Vann

I want to know how NZStu has managed such constraint? (He's only got 4 or 5 TOTAL ).

5 for the moment. I reckon I'll peak at 7.

The secret to my success is something called a "Wife." It growls at me if I buy too many tools, but fortunately understands the value of quality kit.

Originally Posted by NZStu

5 for the moment. I reckon I'll peak at 7.

Note a bad number. Let's see if I can pick the 7...these are what I'd choose if limited to that number

1) a low angle, adjustable mouth block plane
2) a #5 with a cambered blade for stock prep
3) a #7 for jointing
4) a #78 or equivalent rebate plane
5) a plough plane of some sort for cutting grooves
6) a #71 router plane for cleaning grooves, mortices etc
7) Hmm...either a #4 for smoothing or a shoulder plane I think

How close am I Stu?

Not a bad effort.

The current 5 are:

1.) #7 Jointer
2.) #4 Smoother
3.) #5 1/2 Jack (slightly cambered blade - not getting much use at the moment)
4.) Wooden German Jack (scrub plane). Narrow, heavily cambered blade
5.) Small Japanese plane (150mm long, 42mm wide blade) (my block plane)

Next one to get added will be an 18mm Japanese rebate/shoulder/grooving plane. The last one I have planned is a full-size Japanese Kanna.

I may also look at a Japanese skew rabbet in future.

TBH the #7 is now doing a lot of what I used the 5 1/2 for, so I'm not sure what the future holds for that one...

Hmm... haven't got any Japanese planes...better fix that!

If I'm being honest with myself, I would keep the #5, and a block plane. There's not much I come across that those two can't sort out. I've got plans to do a proper clean out in the week I have off after Christmas, and get rid of a lot of them. Chris Schwatz may be a little preachy for some tastes but his last book struck a chord, so I'm trying to get sorted sooner rather than later.

Originally Posted by andrewr79

Hmm... haven't got any Japanese planes...better fix that!

You'd be rude not to really . My experience with them is limited to the little block plane, but it's been enough to make me question the whole point of the complex bailey adjustment mechanism. It's amazing how quick and easy it is to adjust the blade with a few taps of the mallet.

Originally Posted by andrewr79

If I'm being honest with myself, I would keep the #5, and a block plane. There's not much I come across that those two can't sort out. I've got plans to do a proper clean out in the week I have off after Christmas, and get rid of a lot of them. Chris Schwatz may be a little preachy for some tastes but his last book struck a chord, so I'm trying to get sorted sooner rather than later.

There's no particular philosophical reason behind my relatively limited number of planes - I just buy the ones I need to do the job, and the fewer I have the less time I have to spend keeping them all sharp. I don't have time to restore and fettle any new ones either - I need that time to work on projects!

I have just fettled up a nice No.7.

Originally Posted by Mike Wingate

I have just fettled up a nice No.7.

It would be nicer, Mike, if it had "SS" on the lever-cap .

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

I was warned this plane thing is a slippery slope when I first found these forums.

Cheers, Vann.

A slippery slope indeed!
An extra danger is that of collecting an extra plane to use as a "spare" for parts.
I have a Stanley 102 which gets used most often.
A No 4 which was my Grandfather's
2 X No 5's , one of which belonged to my father
2 X 4 1/2. I bought the first to use as spares to fix up a no 6 but it was too good so I bought another which turned out to be even better!
2 X No 6 - they came as a twinset
1 X 60 1/2 Sweetheart which I bought new last year
1 X No 80 Scraper
Do we count spokeshaves????
I tell my wife that it's cheaper than smoking!