Thread: Hand planes

Kinda in the same position myself. I have a Stanley 12-090 low angle block plane with adjustable mouth etc - very nice. $118 at Bunnies. It's great for endgrain, edges on boxes, cleaning up joints etc. I like it a lot, especially now I've tuned it up.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default....le+Block+Plane

I also have a 12-220 block plane. A little heaver than the 090, and no adjustable mouth. Got it first - should have bought the 090 first. Was on special at the time at Bunnies for $72 I think.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default....sc=Block+Plane

I've been shopping for a #3 or #4 lately. I dislike the whole idea of the plastic tote on the current Stanley & Record models. I've seen a few older models with wood tote in varying condition at my local Sunday markets around the $35-45 mark. Ebay though seems to have a regular supply in good condition, and they seem to go for around $45 - less than half the price of a new one and better quality.

http://listings.ebay.com.au/aw/listi...123/index.html

I did pick up a Stanley 151 spokeshave at the local markets for $18 the other weekend - bargain. Close to perfect condition.

My old block plane is not used much anymore, as the Lie-Neilsen has taken it's place, the old one is okay for starters(better than a kick in the pants), all I know is that the plane is made in West Germany, although it is not a Kunz.
I would gladly give you this one, if it would give you good service until you can buy something else, and pass it on to another person who is just starting out in woodworking. Postage would be appreciated if reimbursed after you recieve the plane.

regards
Tony

email me your address details

[email protected]

If you have lots of $$ check out these planes. I have seen them at a wood show , planing the toughest wood against the grain. Planes

I would like to have one but out of my price range.
paul

Coastie

The following are some of the planes I own, the less esoteric ones!

Why so many? Why not - they are not expensive to collect when done over time and restored by one self. They are definitely fun and functional to use. And they DO all get used.

Guidelines for those starting out:

1. Old Stanley planes, preferably those pre-1930 are best, but those pre-WWII are excellent, around the 1950s are still very good. The quality deteriorated significantly after 1960.

2. There are specialist plane makers returning to the woodworking scene again as the demand for fine hand tools has been increasing over the past 5 or so years. There is definitely a trend developing. Look at Lie Nielsen, Clifton and HNT Gordon for quality new planes available in Oz.

3. You basically should have a jointer (#6 or 7), a jack plane (#5 or 5 1/2), a smoother (#3 or 4), and a low angle block plane (#60 1/2).

4. These can be upgraded with a better blade from Hock or Lie Nielsen (not Clifton, since their blades will be too thick to fit).

5. As you slip down the Slippery Slope you will discover rabbet planes, shoulder planes, and the like.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Planes from rear and L to R:

HNT Gordon Try Plane
Mujingfang: Mini Smoother … Large Smoother/Jack Plane
HNT Gordon Large Smoother
Lie Nielsen Bronze Low Angle Block Plane … Stanley #18 Knuckle Joint Block Plane
Stanley #90 Bullnose … Stanley #65 Knuckle Joint Block Plane
Stanley #93 Shoulder Plane ... HNT Gordon ¾” Shoulder Plane
Stanley Router Planes: #71 … #271

Planes from rear and L to R:

Stanley #45 Combination Plane
Record #20 Compass Plane
Stanley: #4 ½ Smoother … Bedrock #604 Smoother
Stanley Scraping Planes: #112 … #80
Stanley #66 Beader
Stanley Rabbet Planes: #140 Skewed Block Plane … #79 Side Rabbet Plane

From rear:

All Stanley planes.

#4 ½ Smoother
#7 Jointer
#5 ½ Jack
#4 Smoother
#3 Smoother

Derek:
Chasing an old Stanley on e bay at the moment looks very rough but in original condition,may need your help in restoring if I'm lucky enough.
Lee Neilsen looks the bees knees but $450+ for a plane?

Lie-Neilsen planes are on sale at Wood Craft in the USA, with the AUD doing so well it will cost you between $340-380 AUD for a No. 4 including P&H !!!
Depending on how long you want to wait.

http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/...96712CF927ABF7

I've had my eye on a No.7 and it wil cost me about $500 to my door!

A bit cheaper than $1000 from MIK.

Now, if only I could talk my self into parting with the cash!!

Ben

Ben

Don't buy the LN #7 - get the HNT Gordon Try Plane instead!!!

I have a Stanley #7, very well tuned, with a Japanese laminated blade. It is a very good plane. But it is not a patch on the HNT Gordon for cutting FLAT. It is lighter and more comfortable to use. Very importantly, it has a blade at 60 degrees, which makes it more suitable for Aussie hardwoods.


Coastie

Yes, Lie Nielsen will cost $450 or more. And this is a fair price for the quality of their tools. Keep in mind that ALL handplanes should be regarded as if they were kits, that is, they all require some tuning (filing and sanding to flatten both the plane and the blade). Just that some need more than others. The new Stanleys and Records require a LOT of tuning (hours and hours of it). What you are paying for is the degree of readiness to use out of the box. The LN planes require very little work (mostly just a honing of the blade). I have old Stanley planes that are easily the equal of LN (and Clifton) - or better them - but the amount of work that went into them is only reasonable IF you have a passion to do it. Most of my planes have aftermarket blades and chipbreakers. The cost of the LN planes must have factored into it the value that you put on your time.

Just yell out when you want help tuning those eBay Stanleys. There are several on this Forum who have expert experience in this regard.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Anyone thought of garage sales?

GC

Ben,

Have you considered the Veritas #6 from Lee Valley for US$219? I have the Veritas #5 1/4, and love it. You might have to pay duty and GST on the LN #7, but you will probably sneak in under their radar with the Veritas.

Rocker

The flea market at Toukley had a lot of old hand tools when I was last up there.

Here's another place to buy old planes (and other tools)

http://www.workingtools.com.au/index.php

I've just ordered a Stanley #71 router plane from them - at less than half the cost of a new one. The old one has wooden handles - not the crappy plastic ones that are fitted to new models.

Just a cautionary note - in case it isn't obvious from the photos of Derek's collection - hand planes are amongst the most addictive tools you can possess. Once you start you will want to own more of them. Be warned! (Incidentally, I've seen Derek's workshop - those photos show only a part of his collection - he has more - including some really interesting planes that he has made himself!).

Time to get back to making shavings . . .

Col