Ebay Droppings Thread.

[ian]

That raises a few issues to my mind.

There have always been people who overestimate the value of their goods.

[snip]

but the plus side is that it gives us something to talk about.

[Mountain Ash]

Hi all. I am currently trying to find a reasonably priced #5 bench plane on eBay (leaning towards Stanley but not too one eyed about it). I think prices are ridiculously high at the moment. Even plastic handled models are priced around $100 (and I have seen 1 for nearly $200). I'm after a fixer upper but think that much more than $50 is too much. Am I wrong?

[GraemeCook]

This guy has got to be on drugs....

I would suggest a reasonable offer would simply involve knocking off one of the zeroes...

Then add the postage and it is still rather expensive.
"... Postage: GBP 45.75 (approx. AU $80.36) ..."

[Chief Tiff]

Hi all. I am currently trying to find a reasonably priced #5 bench plane on eBay (leaning towards Stanley but not too one eyed about it). I think prices are ridiculously high at the moment. Even plastic handled models are priced around $100 (and I have seen 1 for nearly $200). I'm after a fixer upper but think that much more than $50 is too much. Am I wrong?

Yes; I can't believe the prices being asked for Stanley 71's. As an example a few weeks ago a 2nd hand dealer I have a good relationship with showed me an OIB English 71. I forget exactly what he had on it (~$100) but I recommended he threw it on E-bay as they had been going "for nearly $200" recently. When I saw him again 4 weeks later he sternly informed me that my estimate was somewhat out; I nervously asked how much less it had gone for than his shop asking price.....

"$280" was his reply

Anyhoo; if you're really after a 5 I know where there is a Pope or a Stanley (type 12/13 if I recall correctly) for sale; dirty but definitely doeruppable and under $50. PM me if interested and I'll put you in touch with the seller.

[Mountain Ash]

Hi CT thank you and will do. It took me ages to find a suitable router plane at a reasonable price. Finally got a Record for $50 (1 blade only but works beautifully) and I have seen Stanleys go for stupid prices -although plastic handles may not be a real problem here. And I have already mentioned prices for #7's elsewhere

[ian]

It took me ages to find a suitable router plane at a reasonable price. Finally got a Record for $50 (1 blade only but works beautifully)

AFAIK, the Record #071 router plane is a copy of the Stanley #71.

Veritas also make a router plane and claim that their high-carbon blades "fit ... [the] Stanley #71 router planes (with the height-adjustment nut inverted)."
well worth the effort to cruising the Lee Valley / Carbatech / other sites looking at the options for replacement blades
Lee valley say their blades "are available in five Imperial sizes (1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4") and also as a set of all five blades. Sizes stated are nominal. [and blades are also available] in five metric sizes (2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm) as well as a set of all five blades. Sizes stated are nominal.

[Mountain Ash]

Hi Ian. Spot on. My Uncle recently showed me his treasure - a Record #071 in it's original box with 3 blades, fence, depth stop etc.

[Alkahestic]

It's a unique and rare antique, the Stanley Bailey 5 1/2 infill

Probably not the worst idea for a knob, but the price expectation is amusing.

[Bill Houghton]

As distinct from well-cooked.

[IanW]

Are you referring to the front bun, Bill? I dunno, it only rose on one side.....

I stared at that very generous chunk of wood for quite a while, trying to figure out what the person who put it there was trying to achieve. I don't think it adds much to the aesthetics, so I concluded it was meant to serve some special need. The best I can suggest is that a previous owner had arthritis or some problem with his left hand and needed something more substantial than a knob to hold onto?

Despite the 'patina' on the sides, it's not very old, judging by the state of the LC and rear thumbwheel (which of course are easy to change) but the bed ribs behind the rear handle says 'pretty recent' to me. I know zero about dating English Stanleys, but did find a tentative 'study' that says the ribbing started in 1972 (which is relatively recent to an old git like me)....

The 5 1/2 is my absolute favourite size for a general-purpose jack plane, but 90 quid seems a bit steep for a late model with a somewhat dubious sole - or am I still just dreaming in 1960 prices???

Cheers,

[ian]

The 5 1/2 is my absolute favourite size for a general-purpose jack plane, but 90 quid seems a bit steep for a late model with a somewhat dubious sole - or am I still just dreaming in 1960 prices???

FWIW, I'm not sure you might still be dreaming of 1960s prices.

In his September tool list, Patrick Leach was asking USD $155 (about GBP 120) for what Patrick describes as an
"Extra clean #5 1/2 oversize jack plane; all original parts, 99% japanning, mid-1920's production with single patent date, this one spent much more time being a lazy tool, it's time to make it a hard working tool; in uncommon condition for its size and vintage."
link to Patrick's image http://www.supertool.com/forsale/sep/t27.jpg

Patrick's August listing contained another #5-1/2 for which Patrick was asking USD $115
Patrick's description of the August plane was
"#5 1/2 oversize jack plane; early 1900's model with all original parts, '92 patent date, the plane has been cleaned and a later coat of japanning applied; in fine worker shape, the sole has a no harm area of harmless pitting forward of the mouth, that has no bearing on its use, if you plane to lap it optically flat, it'll easily go away;"
Link to Patrick's image of the August plane http://www.supertool.com/forsale/aug/t84.jpg

[Mountain Ash]

Hi all. Another question I have, not necessarily related to the recent post, is what constitutes "vintage"? Surely something with a plastic handle can't be considered. I vaguely recall there used to be some "guidelines" for cars re. vintage and veteran but I seem to see things like Sandvik and Stanley hardpoint(?) saws advertised as vintage on a regular basis.

[Bushmiller]

Hi all. Another question I have, not necessarily related to the recent post, is what constitutes "vintage"? Surely something with a plastic handle can't be considered. I vaguely recall there used to be some "guidelines" for cars re. vintage and veteran but I seem to see things like Sandvik and Stanley hardpoint(?) saws advertised as vintage on a regular basis.

MA

You are quite right in everything you say. Just out of interest, because I couldn't remember the distinction:

"What's the difference between veteran, vintage and classic cars? In simple terms, veteran cars are the oldest; vintage cars are those made between the two world wars, and classic cars are post-war and more than 40 years old."

There are no clear guidelines with handsaws and as far as handsaws are concerned never was "Caveat Emptor" more appropriate than there. For me, the demise of the Disston saw company under their family ownership in 1955 (albeit in diabolical disarray by that time having been rorted by the descendants of 'ole Henry) marks then end of the "collectible" era in general terms. Atkins had sold out to Borg Warner in 1952 and Simonds had closed down their handsaw operation way back in 1926. However, this is purely my take on things. Others may even point, arguably, to a significant decline between the two world wars.

Regards
Paul

[Mountain Ash]

Hi Paul. I always thought my (long since gone) EJ Holden station wagon was a classic. Nice to know it's official

[ian]

Another question I have ... is what constitutes "vintage"? Surely something with a plastic handle can't be considered.
I seem to see things like Sandvik and Stanley hardpoint(?) saws advertised as vintage on a regular basis.

when it comes to hand tools, vintage is probably defined as "last century" If a hardpoint saw still has usable teeth, then "vintage" could mean it's old but I don't know how old, so I'll say "vintage".

it might be a stretch too far to describe a frankenplane with plastic handles as "vintage"