Thread: Veritas Router Plane Worldwide Shortage

Hi Justin,

Same thing with my shooting plane. I was told that apparently Veritas is starting to outsource production (formerly done in house) and that there was a bit of lead time to work this process and quality control out. Apprently there is still a bit of a backlog but working through it. It will be interesting to see whether there will be any quality different between in house and outsourced tools. I suspect not, but who knows.

That's interesting, quality is the main attraction I suppose, so hopefully that means they will ensure that remains at the same level. I wonder how much, if any, effect this shortage has had on the secondhand market. I only started watching the price of * 71 router planes in the last month but I'm sure they weren't going for so much when I had a look earlier last year. It seems ridiculous to be paying as much for a second hand 71 as a brand new Veritas. I'd happily have a 71 instead, but it'd need to be reasonably cheaper.

I think you and I had our eyes on the same listings. I was shocked when the first one I saw go for $300, thought it must have been a fluke, but sure enough a few days later noticed a second one go for similar price. Having said that both of them looked near mint for their age so I suspect attract it's fair share of collectors rather than woodworkers who plan on putting them to use.

Originally Posted by JustinH

After watching several Stanley 71 router planes on eBay go for $200-$300 I've decided that I'm just going to buy a Veritas.
snip
I placed an order with the store I've had good experiences with and went to the store to pick it up only to be informed that there's a worldwide shortage and some people have been waiting months. Apparently, Veritas doesn't give estimates on when new stock will be available.

How many router planes do you want?
My local Lee Valley store is showing limited quantities -- which usually means that there's only 1 or 2 in the store -- but the main warehouse is expecting to have stock from this coming Friday.

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

I was shocked when the first [#71 router] I saw go for $300, thought it must have been a fluke, but sure enough a few days later noticed a second one go for similar price. Having said that both of them looked near mint for their age so I suspect attract it's fair share of collectors rather than woodworkers who plan on putting them to use.

Originally Posted by JustinH

I only started watching the price of * 71 router planes in the last month but I'm sure they weren't going for so much when I had a look earlier last year. It seems ridiculous to be paying as much for a second hand 71 as a brand new Veritas. I'd happily have a 71 instead, but it'd need to be reasonably cheaper.

You should get yourselves onto Patrick Leach's monthly tool list. Last Monday he listed a Pommy made #71 complete with box and instructions for USD $165

Originally Posted by JustinH

After watching several Stanley 71 router planes on eBay go for $200-$300....

This one isn't $200-300:
Stanley USA #71 Router Plane, 3 brand new blades, $195 posted

$15 for post, $70 for blades makes the plane body about $110.

Go with the Veritas if you can, it’s a beauty. I too have been watching the prices of Stanleys and Records climb over the last year and can’t fathom the reason why, these are not sophisticated planes by any stretch of the imagination.

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

Go with the Veritas if you can, it’s a beauty. I too have been watching the prices of Stanleys and Records climb over the last year and can’t fathom the reason why, these are not sophisticated planes by any stretch of the imagination.

You could always roll your own.

Or if you prefer to see the movie rather than read the book, here it is in action.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

Go with the Veritas if you can, it’s a beauty. I too have been watching the prices of Stanleys and Records climb over the last year and can’t fathom the reason why, these are not sophisticated planes by any stretch of the imagination.

Too many bloggers talking about their usefulness (they are useful, of course).

For the patient, the price hasn't really changed that much in the states since 2006. I bought a stanley with two blades back then for $72 (the type with a front foot) and a millers falls with a closed front for $45 from a tool dealer (it had one blade).

Last year, I sold the millers falls for $70, it just was sloppily made (maybe it was just that particular plane), and bought a veritas router, and still haven't gotten the latter out of the box (still have and use the stanley, and it works fine). I usually use a router plane on hidden areas, so I don't need perfection - but I'll get the veritas out at some point. I'm sure it's a little better.

anyway, the actual sale price of a stanley router on ebay - with one blade, appears to be a little over $100. Inflation adjusted, probably not a lot different than the old price. Ebay's changes in listing policies have made for a lot more tools priced not to sell than there ever were, and they can stay up forever at no cost. This exists in guitars, too - about 5% of the listings are intended to sell, the others are ...I don't know what their intentions are. I think some people just post their entire collection of tools or guitars on ebay at prices higher than they paid hoping for a buyer - some have been listed for years.

Moral of the story being, esnipe and other tools on ebay to find the ones that are intended to sell and come in and out. The patience of a week or a month may halve the cost of a tool.

Well, hand routers that are user quality are not selling for that much in New Zealand on TradeMe (=NZ version of eBay).
Recent sales were $25, $52 and $55 (NZ $)
Collector quality ones are offered for $100 to $150 but are slow to sell.

Originally Posted by paul.cleary

Well, hand routers that are user quality are not selling for that much in New Zealand on TradeMe (=NZ version of eBay).
Recent sales were $25, $52 and $55 (NZ $)
Collector quality ones are offered for $100 to $150 but are slow to sell.

I just picked up a 71 on TradeMe for NZ$135 including freight. It had everything, three cutters, fence, front foot even came in the original box with instruction booklet and the makers ticket. Your right though, I think I was bidding against collectors whereas I just wanted one to use.
Pete

I think there maybe a general shortage from veritas at the moment

When ordering a few bits from Carbatec they mentioned that it one part (1/2 inch bench chisel) may be delayed until April due to a worldwide backlog.

Yep, I've been waiting for a Veritas low angle #7 for a while now also.

Regards,

Denim