Cheap planes

Charlotte · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Sorry to butt in in a thead, but I'm going to go plane shopping shortly. My budget is car boot due to woeful work situation at the moment.

I want a block plane and a smoother or jack and am wondering about wooden planes, though I have never used them. I've seen check lists for second hand planes but don't own a portable known flat surface and do not fancy wandering around a boot sale with a file of web wisdom anyhow. I was going to opt for the rustiest with the shortest irons on the basis that a short iron=hard life=good tool but would love to hear some other suggestions.

Many thanks

woodbloke · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

lurker · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject:

Charlotte,

IMHO Car boot planes & a bit of a fettle are the best deal unless you go to +£150 new level.

Most you see will be Stanley 4 & 4.5s - I'd rarely pay more than £5 for a reasonable one. If you know what you are doing you can pick up jems.
For example a Record SS will look much like a stanley bog standard but are worth 10X the amount. And works 5x as well. one marked record are better than Stanleys (usually)

Woodies are fine - sometimes booters think they are old & rare again £5 would be a max for me.

Try to "see past" the rust for cracks otherwise you can't go far wrong at £5 even if the Sole is unuseable the bits will come in useful.

In my experience a boot sale will yield nothing 4 times out of 5 but the 5th one you will strike gold.

Vann · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

woodbloke · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject:

jlawrence · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject:

Smudger · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

When I started bodging seriously I began by buying cheap planes and fettling them. People told me not to bother, to buy at least one quality plane to start with. I didn't, of course, believe them.
It didn't, really, go that well, until I bought a properly well set-up Stanley Jack off ebay. That gave me some clues, but it was being taken into someone else's workshop to use some quality planes - Lie Nielsens, Spiers infills etc - that I really understood.
Then I could go back to the old Records and Stanleys, and work on them to make them good. And they can be.
I think that to start with an old rust magnet with not much to go on is harder work than it needs to be.
_________________
Dick Smith

Chimpin' for Britain!

Benchwayze · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:05 pm Post subject:

If you are going to attempt fettling a Stanley or Record plane, you might be better advised to find a pre-WWII model on eBay.

You will probably have to fettle, but in my view you might as well invest the work into a decent casting, and probably a decent blade.

But be careful. I bought a low-front knob No. 4. It was an old plane for sure, and it was a well-balanced tool, with a comfortable tote.

Close examination proved it to be a bit of a mongrel though and parts didn't match up the date on the casting. The worst feature is the 'opposite thread' on the adjuster mechanism. I am used to clockwise motion to advance the blade, and even fettled, this oldie frustrates me a lot as I keep forgetting. So it doesn't get much use.

Edit... I think any decent oldie can be serviceable. As long as the sole is flat at the toe, around the mouth and at the heel, usually they will perform, given that a effort is put into sharpening.

You can get a metal plane looking brand new, but for general work it isn't absolutely necessary. It is nice to prove that they can produce shavings as fine as any of the expensive planes.. But again, is it necessary?

Regards
John Smile

_________________
You need just two tools: WD40 and gaffa tape. If it doesn't move, but it should, use WD40. If it moves, but it shouldn't, use gaffa tape.

maltrout512 · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject:

Just an idea, why not buy a second hand one. I have bought most of mine from a tool shop (2nd hand) in Yapton, Leeside I think their name is. As you are in Surrey a shortish trip down there and see their line up. No 4 Stanleys from about £15. I bought a stan/Bailey no 3 for £6.00. In poor condition, New handles cost £16 and a new blade. A couple of hours later I had it all cleaned and back together and taking a shaving off oak down to .7 mm. IMO I'm more than pleased with that.
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You can touch the dust, but please DON'T write in it.

Never Behind

Malcolm

Smudger · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

JB - I've just cottoned on that you are in Surrey; in Wallington there is the Old Tool Shop - the stock is quite variable, but I've picked up a number of planes there. Open on some evenings and all day Saturdays, on Stafford Rod opposite Sainsburys, next to the Public Hall. If you want I can pop in and see what he's got in.
_________________
Dick Smith

Chimpin' for Britain!

Dibs-h · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject:

Smudger · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject:

brian68 · Forum Newbie Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

matthewwh · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

Hi Brian,

Your link has been caught in the spam trap I'm afraid, it stops after you've posted a few more times.

here's the link

I'm surprised he went for the edging plane as they only do one rather than a pair which makes it a bit useless. I mentioned it to the factory and they sent me an email a few days later saying that they were unavailable at present.

I did however go for the rebate block which looks like a really useful bit of kit as well as the spokeshave and some lovely little brass mallets that they do as well.

The latest news is that we have had a chat with TNT about faster shipping so they should be available at the beginning of December, just in time for our two week long free UK shipping offer!
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Cheers,

Matthew

My new blog: http://workshopheaven.blogspot.com