Recent content by penwithchris

Hi Jimi It was exciting to have the H & D stamp pointed out to me by a sharper eyed acquaintance - he went on to have a look at known examples of mitre planes by Holzapffel but couldn't find a match The body of my plane is only 9.5 long I'm pleased you like it as much as I do. I am inclined to...

Thanks for all the suggestions On reflection I think I'll leave it as is. There was probably a sensible purpose in drilling the holes at each end A friend pointed out that the throat of the plane bore the stamped initials 'H & D' which match those of Holtzapffel and Deyerlein shown in the book...

Hello Richard On the subject of restoring mitre planes I've just picked up a very rare dovetailed skew mouthed 'improved' pattern mitre plane by Varvill and Sons of Ebor Works, York that has a couple of issues Be pleased if you could look at my post under Varvill mitre plane and give me your...

I have just acquired a quite rare (I've never seen one) dovetailed 'improved' pattern skew mouth mitre plane by Varvill and Sons of Ebor Works, York with original iron by Marples Unfortunately the previous owner has stained the rosewood infill and drilled screw holes front and back(no idea why)...

I have bought and sold several of these tools over the years David Stanley Auctions nearly always has examples A quick look through back catalogues shows a lot with two examples listed as ' an unusual cabinet maker's float by Herring and another' - lot 1068 - realised £24 only I have seen whole...

I have just bought a sweet gunmetal bullnose plane on EBay. It wasn't described as having been professionally manufactured so I was really pleased when it arrived to see it nicely stamped on the rosewood wedge, J FROST DOVE St NORWICH I believe that James Frost was, originally, a toolmaker, but...

Not to be too critical about your display but there seems to be a lot of very average stuff present. As for the Spiers infill plane I have seen it deteriorate through the postings from a quite rare early Spiers to something that is almost unrecognisable as an important mid nineteenth century...

Great to have such a knowledgeable member on board. I will enjoy the plane even more now that it has been recognised as an early Spiers. The dovetailing and attention to detail to the screwed sides is superb. Thanks very much for your help. Chris

Hello Richard - nice to hear from you I would agree with you that the plane resembles early Spiers panel planes, but I think the handle sets it apart. I haven't seen Spiers planes with a similar handle to the one that this one sports. It really doesn't seem appropriate to such a heavy plane...

Another Scottish style smoothing plane with very decorative pierced lever cap If it's any consolation I can only just about put three of my delicate digits inside the handle Doesn't really aid comfortable planing Human body shape has changed dramatically over the past 130 to 150 years and it is...

Nearly managed to recreate the earlier composite photograph showing the Archer mitre plane My picture shows : A Winslow patent gauge An eighteenth century moulding plane by Loveage A Spiers smoothing plane A Spiers mitre plane Just wish I could have found a brass backed tenon saw to complete...

Who stole the saw from the photo? Hope you can see through my little joke Chris :lol:

As promised here are two photographs of my latest acquisition - a rare mid nineteenth century panel plane by ARCHER of Goodge St. LONDON In wonderful condition it, surprisingly, came from a bricklayer who thought it was for levelling floorboards because it is so heavy. Fortunately he didn't test...

Have encountered a similar situation with many of the moulding planes I have purchased. Inverting the plane and placing the wedge in a vice with wooden jaws and tapping the body of the plane as near to the wedge as possible with a wooden mallet invariably frees the wedge without any damage...

I have just purchased privately a dovetailed steel panel plane stamped Archer Goodge Street Obviously quite early with a wedge behind the brass bar Lovely plane with rosewood infills and very distinctive front bun and handle that do not copy other manufacturers like Spiers, Mathieson Will...