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  1. #1
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    Default Dabbling in dark side - cost of Mathieson moulding planes

    I'm looking at some Mathieson moulding planes.
    I know this is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question.
    What would be the average price for one.
    I know there's a few variables. Condition,shape etc.
    Plus one is missing a blade. I might need to make it, is that a huge hurdle?
    As usual any hints/advice much appreciated. Lyle

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  3. #2
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    Unless Paul Sellers has been seen with one you can often get molding planes on ebay at between $20 and $50. They will likely need some TLC to get working again.
    Main problem is the blade profile gets out of kilter with the sole profile and needs to be matched up again. I have a soft spot for Matheson but most of the old British makes as just as good. There are plenty out there so I would just buy ones will all the parts.
    Regards
    John

  4. #3
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    When you say "moulding" plane can you be a bit more specific?

    From what I've seen the overwhelming majority of these are side bead planes; they tend to go for about $20 each on average.
    Hollows and rounds follow next; again about $20 each.
    Snipe bills are fewer on the ground; $25-40

    Then you move into what I consider to be "proper" moulding planes; ogees, coves and ovolos. $30 upwards, depending on condition and the size/complexity of the moulding.

    Often bundled up with the above are match (for tongue & groove) and rebate planes; $15-25

    Usually they are shown to me as "great granddad's tools" or similar, stored for the last 30 years in a cardboard box in the shed. Mostly these are random sizes of side bead planes with a rebate and sometimes a round or two. Often banged around, cracked, wormy, missing the odd blade or wedge and with very worn boxing; sometimes they're only good for firewood.

    Once you use one you wonder why they were so neglected! Honing can be a little tricky, getting the blades correctly set and the bodies positioned on the wood takes a bit of practice but they truly are a joy to use.
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  5. #4
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    OK. Thanks for the replies. I am now more knowledgeable by far from when I first looked at them.
    I'll cautiously check them out again with this new knowledge.
    Thanks
    Lyle

  6. #5
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    Hi Lyle. Matheison produced 3 "models" of wooden planes. It might have even been CT who sent me link to some info when I was trying to find out more about them. Obviously Matheison is one range, Tertius Keen and Co is another. I try to bid as little as possible on eBay and have picked up some really nice ones. Most recently I bought a side rebate plane (I think - it could be a v grooving plane too) stamped "Stohert Bath". A little bit of research showed he was an 18th century plane maker who stopped trading in 1818. So my $10 plane (plus postage) is over 200 years old!!!! This may only be exciting to a select few but I am definitely impressed.

  7. #6
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    A side rebate that could also be a v-grooving plane?

    By that description you might have a core box plane; any chance of a photo?
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  8. #7
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    Hi CT. I will get one posted. I would love you to have a look.

  9. #8
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    As promised here are some photos. I would love to know some more details about what this plane is used for

    The parts
    20200704_140809.jpg

    The profile 45° one side and curve on the other
    20200704_140900.jpg

    The maker "Stothert Bath"
    20200704_140934.jpg

    Cleaned up and back together
    20200704_141319.jpg

  10. #9
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    Looks like a bit of a re purposed one . Re shaped for a particular job . Not an uncommon thing to see .

  11. #10
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    Well, I haven’t come across one like that before. It looks to have been sharpened on both the flat and the curved sides; I don’t think that’s typical. The geometry of the plane is that only the tiny round bit at the tip is presented to the wood at the bed angle (probably 45 degrees) and the two sides will act more like sheer scrapers. It’s not a side rebate and a core box plane would have two straight sides at 90 degrees.

    Before we hijack this thread any further perhaps you could post it in a new “What is it?” thread?
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  12. #11
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    Good idea CT. Is there a way to do it without re typing. Any specific use Rob?

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mountain Ash View Post

    Any specific use Rob?
    Its the sort of thing you may need if you don't have a set of rounds and hollows. Some one needs to get into a tight spot, They could have been making anything needing a mould , furniture , moulded part for a dolls house just using the fine point , or what ever.
    It has a fine point , a flat on one side and a curve on the other . They may have wanted to tilt it to get a range of hollows to make a picture frame or something that went from a hollow up against a bead into a more open swept curve . I don't see it as a plane that was used to create an opposite of the whole shape or one side of that plane . More like getting into a tight corner and sweeping out from that .

    You can see the sides have been shaped and planed into fresh un oxidized timber , as well as the huge mouth opening at the tip. Its a one off ruined plane .

    What I would like to be able to pick is, what was it before this ? There's no clue left that I can see. A round or hollow , a side bead ? Whats left in the box of planes that it came with could be a clue ? Although no one takes a plane from a matched set to alter. Its always the lost little odd one out that gets picked on .
    There is almost one altered plane like this in every average collection .
    Rob

  14. #13
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    Thanks Rob. Not sure whether thats a bad thing yet. I just might find a use for it. I'm still gob smacked by its age (assuming of course that I have done my research properly)

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