Small plane indentification

[RogerP]

I found this at a car boot this morning.

The only markings are on the blade which read Moses Eadon Sheffield Winconia plus the number 2
It's overall length is about 6 inches.

Any ideas as to use or age or any other information?

 

[Richard T]

If planes did not exist man would have to invent them.

I can't think of a job that this was made to do that couldn't have been done with a plough. Unless Mr. Moses Eadon knew something I don't .... :-k

 

[AndyT]

My guess is that it's a user made plane with a chunk of HSS lathe tooling adapted for the blade. It could be used as a router plane to level off a housing or it could run against a fence and make a groove if you lowered the blade each time.

That lathe tooling looks so sharp and chunky - I have a similar piece that has been asking to be used for ten years or more...

 

[RogerP]

My guess is that it's a user made plane with a chunk of HSS lathe tooling adapted for the blade. ...

Yes, that's my guess too. But close up somehow it doesn't have the look of a user-made plane - a little too uniformly executed, machine made look. I suppose I'll never really know but nevertheless a interesting little puzzle plane.

 

[Chrispy]

The Iron looks like it could be from a tenoning machine cutter block, so my betis its a self build router.

 

[adidat]

But close up somehow it doesn't have the look of a user-made plane - a little too uniformly executed, machine made look.

Roger i must disagree, from the pictures it looks like it was made from a block which had been run over a chamfer cutter. and then hand cut/sanded to make into a plane, if you look closely the tool marks can be seen on the opening for the blade. I'm sure its user made, but a great find!

adidat

 

[RogerP]

Yes, you're probably right but whoever made it did a good job - but considering the effort that went into it wonder what special job(s) it was for? I would think it likely he had a variety of cutters for it as the one I have only takes up a third of the mouth's width plus the need for that removal side piece is a bit of a mystery.

 

[Richard T]

I would guess that it is much easier to saw the bedding angle from one side than it is to cut it out with a chisel/gouge/float and that the rest was bored/gouged to meet it.

 

[Jacob]

Yes, you're probably right but whoever made it did a good job - but considering the effort that went into it wonder what special job(s) it was for? I would think it likely he had a variety of cutters for it as the one I have only takes up a third of the mouth's width plus the need for that removal side piece is a bit of a mystery.

Possibly a machine cutter recycled in a home made router plane, hence the odd shape.

 

[GazPal]

Yes, you're probably right but whoever made it did a good job - but considering the effort that went into it wonder what special job(s) it was for? I would think it likely he had a variety of cutters for it as the one I have only takes up a third of the mouth's width plus the need for that removal side piece is a bit of a mystery.

The answers lay firmly with it's maker, but I doubt whether it was factory made. I think the filler piece simply helps reduce the likelihood of the plane's nose sheering off during use. Especially if bumped against the end of a stopped rebate or the internal corner of the frame being worked on. Probably the result of having had the same happen with previous tools he'd made with the same irons fitted.

Potential uses? It strikes me as being one of those incidental tools you tend to make for a specific use to keep on hand for when needed. Possibly something such as clean-up duties after the bulk of old putty has been removed, when re-glazing windows? Set the iron to depth and it's good to go as a form of router plane, without using a better quality plane from within his kit and marring it's body up with old paint.

Does it have any sign of old paint/varnish residue on it's sole or anywhere else?

 

[RogerP]

No signs of paint or varnish. I think the removable side piece may be to allow for a blade extending to the edge to be fitted - like a rebate plane.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

Just a thought, is it a plane or sharpening jig?

Pete

 

[Sheffield Tony]

My guess is a homemade tool to do a stopped groove.

 

[bugbear]

I'm baffled by the open side, which weakens the tool tremendously, to no benefit that I can see.

The cutter is clearly from a machine tool. Brief googling brings confirmation:

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Moses_Eadon_and_Sons

Why this little tool was made, when a traditional OWT is easier to make, and more versatile, I have no idea.

BugBear

 

[RogerP]

I'm baffled by the open side, which weakens the tool tremendously, to no benefit that I can see.
........
BugBear

To fit a blade extending to the edge like rebate plane?

 

[AndyT]

Does anyone know for sure where this sort of tooling came from?
Is it the sort of thing that was used on early spindle moulders, with a plain straight edge being used to cut a rebate?

This is the one I have, 3/8" thick, marked Drabble and Sanderson, HSS:

I think it's the sort of thing that looks too obviously useful to throw away, so if you don't have access to old plough plane irons, it's a good choice.

I'm assuming that Roger's one started looking like this but was cut down.

 

[Jacob]

From an old 4 sided spindle block more than likely.
They are so forgotten I can't find a picture on the net but I've got one in a book.

 

[GazPal]

I would guess that it is much easier to saw the bedding angle from one side than it is to cut it out with a chisel/gouge/float and that the rest was bored/gouged to meet it.

Plus 500%

 

[Chrispy]

Looking again its not a plane, it hasn't got a mouth, there no where for the shavings to go! unless it is used like a router with the iron extended well away from the sole working in an already made recess.

 

[jimi43]

That cutter pretty much nails it but WINCONIA...I have seen that name somewhere before on machine steel and for the life of me I can't remember where. Somewhere in my "cave" there is something with that maker's name on it....it will come to me I know!

I think the number "2" is a clue. I guess that is a size for the cutter.

Excellent find though....bootfairs...they start early where you are! Ours was cancelled today through lack of interest...and the fact that the field is likely to turn into a quagmire as soon as you step on it...let alone drive on it! It's like a bleedin' swamp around here at the moment...the water table is now somewhere above sea level!!! :mrgreen:

Jim