Just missed this on ebay

[marcros]

I was intending to bid on this- just because it looked quite interesting http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unusual-iron- ... fresh=true

Alas my phone rang just as i was bidding, and ebay decided that i needed to log in again. never mind


What is it- is it a shooting board plane, or...?

 

[RogerP]

........ why not just leave a snipe bid? http://www.goofbid.com/

 

[bugbear]

I was intending to bid on this- just because it looked quite interesting http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unusual-iron- ... fresh=true

Alas my phone rang just as i was bidding, and ebay decided that i needed to log in again. never mind


What is it- is it a shooting board plane, or...?

It's quite .. sturdy, isn't it?

BugBear

 

[marcros]

........ why not just leave a snipe bid? http://www.goofbid.com/

Normally I would have done. I would probably have got it too!

 

[AndyT]

I've seen a few similar ones on eBay and discussed on here ages ago. They often look like a shooting board plane, cutting on the left hand side while the handle is upright.

They are definitely related to letterpress printing in some way. Possibly for custom fitting the 'furniture' which was blocks of hardwood or type metal that separated the cast metal letters. I've not managed to track down a description in any book on printing, so if anybody knows more, please do say.

 

[bugbear]

I've seen a few similar ones on eBay and discussed on here ages ago. They often look like a shooting board plane, cutting on the left hand side while the handle is upright.

They are definitely related to letterpress printing in some way. Possibly for custom fitting the 'furniture' which was blocks of hardwood or type metal that separated the cast metal letters. I've not managed to track down a description in any book on printing, so if anybody knows more, please do say.

It certainly wasn't super-finely made - look at the machining marks on the sole!

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

Here's the old thread I was thinking of - including a picture of one https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/block-plane-for-planing-blocks-t30907.html

and this thread had some similar ones elsewhere - pics long gone - https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/solid-block-plane-mystery-revived-and-solved-t41823.html

However, it gives us the name of a maker of similar planes - Harrild - which leads here http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/cast-iron-shooting-plane-harrild-sons-305833233 and this picture of another solidly made printer's plane. (Wikipedia confirms that Robert Harrild was active inventing things for printers in the C19th.)

 

[jimi43]

I looked at that one and then ditched the idea when I read about the lead planing bit.

I moved on and found the Knight jointer so I'm rather glad I didn't dawdle!

Jim

 

[AndyT]

For anyone else still wondering about special heavily built planes for use by letterpress printers, I came across this entry in my copy of the "Dictionary of American Hand Tools: A Pictorial Synopsis" by Alvin Sellens:

I reckon the one on eBay was like the one in the second picture. Incidentally, the Challenge Machinery Compnay of Chicago is still in business, but I've not managed to find one of their old catalogues on line.