Replies

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 03, 2007 07:57pm | #1

   I probably am bidding on one now.  I don't "need" any, probably just putting in a low bid in case no one else bids.

   Go for it.

   What is your ebay name/handle?

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   woodman2263 | Jan 03, 2007 08:12pm | #2

   "woodman 2263"  I am not a collector, I just need a good set of chisels and I don't feel like spending 300 on a set from Lie Nielsen.  I figured I would try to piece a set of 750's together.  Any ideas?

   Thanks,

   Jeff

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 03, 2007 08:48pm | #3

   Having both, five or six L-N and a full set of 750s, it can be a toss up. 

   The issue with the 750s is that good ones (no pitting, good handle and good leather) can cost as much or more than the L-N, particularly if it has the #750 on it. 

   This time of year, after Christmas, is generally a time when fewer people are buying tools on ebay so prices can be lower.

   My recommendation, and you may know this, is to always ask the seller about pitting and condition of the leather, particularly as to mushrooming.

   The leather, over time, becomes the weak point of a 750 with use.  Not so with the L-N.  

   So, if you don't care whether the #750 is on it, you can get it cheaper.  Just depends on what value you want it to have in the future.

   I do have some extra 750s I am willing to part with.  What sizes are you looking for?

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   woodman2263 | Jan 03, 2007 08:59pm | #4

   Hey Alan,

   What I planned on doing is building a set of 750's piece by piece.  My current sizes of 750's I have now are................none.  I would much rather get them from someone credible than someone off ebay.  I don't know you, but have been reading your posts for sometime.  What sizes do you have that you would let go and what would you want for them?

   Jeff

1. 
   Samson | Jan 03, 2007 10:35pm | #5

   Alan and Jeff, FWIW, I amassed a set of 750s (mostly from eBay) by looking for the ones a collector would not be attracted to because the handles were rough, and maybe some staining on the blade (never pitting).  I doctored the handles by removing the chewed up and dried out leather, sawing off the nub that held the center of the leather washers, rounded the edges of the top, scrapped off any loose laquer, and wiped the wood down with BLO.  It yielded shortish, but perfectly functional handles.  You can see most my refurbbed 750 style chisels (some lack "750" on the socket and one is even a <shudder> "Defiance") in this pic (2 recent additions are LNs - with the slightly longer handles):

   http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2365082190032524639XMCCnS

2. 
   JJV | Jan 04, 2007 12:07am | #6

   Nice tool cart.  More shop pix please.  :-)

     

   Maybe someday I'll know a little something.

3. 
   Samson | Jan 04, 2007 05:12am | #10

   Thanks. 

   Assuming you were serious about wanting to see some more pics (and not just ribbing me for bothering to show so many pics of shop furniture), I added a few of my bench to the end of that same album.  It's based largely on the Fortune/Nelson design from the "Workbench Book."

4. 
   JJV | Jan 04, 2007 05:11pm | #14

   Always serious about shop pix!

   Nice looking bench you made there.  Puts my POS to shame!! 

   I have all these plans in my head to make a new bench, toolbox, etc etc but they will have to wait.  My wife is due with our 3rd child in August and then we'll have 3 under 4!  Shop time is rare and precious these days! 

   Maybe someday I'll know a little something.

5. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 04, 2007 01:13am | #7

   Samson and Woodman,

   There is an ebayer from Canada who makes replicas of the 750 handles.  They certainly appear to be very good, although I have not seen (other than on ebay) or touched one.

   There are so many woodworking things I could do (or quickly learn to) but I have very limited woodworking time so making handles is not even on my list of things I will do at this time.  That was my reason for picking 750s up whenever I could.  Also, I have upgraded each one as I found a better one.  Hence, I have some duplicates.

   The two most expensive 750s are the 1/8 inch and the 1 3/4 inch.  Those can easily go - on ebay - for $175, each.  And, there are two different 1/8 inchers.  One has beveled sides, the other one does not.

   Per you point Samson, about buying ones without the 750 on them -- one has to make a decision as to whether or not they are simply buying users, or buying collectibles, or buying users that will have higher value.  Ones with the #750 on them will be worth more than ones without.  At almost 60 years old, my thinking has been that when I can no longer work wood my chisels will, hopefully, sell for more because they have the 750 number on them.

   Of course, who can predict the future these days?! 

   But, woodman, depending on your priorities, my suggestion is buy the L-N and start working wood.  Now, I hate to pass up an opportunity to get some of my money back.  But, that would have saved me a lot of money and time.

   However!  I have had a blast learning about the 750s.  I saw Frank Klausz was still using the 750s up until a couple of years ago.  And, I still like them and use them.  And, if I wind up with two of anything, that begins a collection and I have to add to it.

   So, woodman, if you want to consider some 750s, let me know, but I won't be offended if you don't.

   Alan - planesaw

6. 
   Samson | Jan 04, 2007 03:04am | #8

   Hey Alan.  I'm perfectly satisfied with my modified original handles (not lookin for any replacements).  I know you are more of an old tool purist (refurbed Stanley's in formal black only, for example) than I.  I'm more coarse -  if it works and suits me, I'm happy, and furthermore, posterity should find it worth more because I modified it ;-)  Also, the stamp on the socket means far less to me than the quality of the steel (and in my expereince that can vary drastically between individual tools even within a specific brand or even a brand name from a specific period).

   I've mever used the one 1/8th chisel I have (an everlast).  Have you found a 1/8th handy in any real life situation?  Similarly, if I want a wide chisel (over 1"), my slicks or paring chisels are what I go for (Buck, Pexto, Swan, and Witherby etc. mish mash).

   Jeff, I'm gonna play the little devil on your other shoulder (Alan can be the LN angel on the first one):  Good vintage chisels can still be had reasonably, especially if you just want users - send an e-mail to Patrick Leach, or just troll eBay.  For $15 or less apiece, you can get stuff that will be as good, and as nice to use as those pretty LNs.  Not that I don't like the LNs, it's just that with the money you save you can buy a lot of good sharpening equipment to quickly get those vintage users razor sharp and keep 'em that way.  Also, I personally find it find of nice to use vintage stuff that other woodworkers have valued before me - tools as a link through the generations of putterers and woodworkers, etc.

7. 
   woodman2263 | Jan 04, 2007 03:28am | #9

   Samson,

   Great point!  I understand what you mean.  I have been woodworking heavily for about 8 years now, I'm 35, and when I started woodworking, I always wanted the newest and best tools I could afford.  IE: LN, Powermatic, etc..  About 1 year ago, I wanted to buy a 6" square from WoodArtistry, it's $76 and when on ebay I ran across a set of Stanley SW 6" and 8" square and bought them both for about $30.  The first time I used my 6", I picked it up and immediately stopped and started thinking, where did this come from?  Who bought it originally? I thought to myself, "I wish it could talk to tell me it's history."  Ever since then, I have been attracted to the older tools???  Don't really know why, maybe just want to use the tool and keep it alive for many more years, then pass it down when I am done.  I AM NOT an tool collector (although my wife thinks I am) but I enjoy the older ones.  Does this seem odd?

8. 
   Samson | Jan 04, 2007 05:17am | #11

   Doesn't seem odd to me as I suffer from the same affliction. 

   You want to hear something really wierd: it's often in the shop that I think about my grandfathers, who both loved to putter with tools (I have some of their originals) and build things.  I could swear sometimes their spirits are with me nodding approval, kibbitzing, or shaking their heads laughing as the case may be as I work/play.  Don't tell anyone.

9. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 04, 2007 06:08am | #12

   Samson and Woodman,

   I totally agree with both of you about old tools.  I have way too many old planes, handsaw (hence planesaw), chisels, folding rules, trammels, etc. because of it.  But, because of my very limited time I realized I had to make a decision about whether I was going to collect and spend a lot of time refurbishing old tools (which I did a lot of for a long period of time) or make sawdust. 

   Actually I tried to split the middle.  I still keep my eye out for good old tools, but I have picked out the old planes that I will refurbish when I get time; the old chisels that I will clean up, sharpen and hone; the old handsaws that I will clean up, joint, set, sharpen; etc., etc.

   And, I have determined what tools I think I will use most and have started making sawdust.  Just finished my fourth 4 ft by 6 ft shelf unit for my youngest son-in-law who is a minister.  Made cradles at the request of youngest daughter and daughter-in-law, made a number of other things for other people, and now am starting on a list of things for the loml and our house.  Our youngest daughter took the end tables and coffee table I had built years ago. 

   My dad was an architect, but spent most of his time running the hardware and homebuilding supply store he owned.  My mother's dad was a full time carpenter and remodler with a college degree.  My dad's dad had been a painter, but due to some health problems came to work for my dad and ran several of the departments in the hardware store.

   Well, got to do some computer work here at home.  Grant applications due early next week and we have some wordsmithing to do.

   Woodman, by the way, what state or area do you live in.  Samson and I, although we have never met, live in different states but only a couple hours apart.

   Alan - planesaw

    

   Edited 1/3/2007 11:11 pm ET by Planesaw

10. 
    PADDYDAHAT | Jan 04, 2007 10:15am | #13

    Samson and friends. my afliction was moulding planes. It started with a few wood planes that were a PITA to tune up winter vs. summer. I read the deep history and realized that those guys needed perhaps 100+ to work in the Victorian renovation and new work arena. Just think, 1/4 round in 1/8-1/4-3/8, 1/2 etc. up to 1". Then cove or hollows and rounds to larger dimensions, in all the sizes.  The ogee and more figured cuts/dovetail or special mouldings made for many more planes . Just look at the  magnificent work that these guys did with these truly crude tools.

    Then the Stanley #45 showed up. I bet that their horses were relieved-not so much to lug around.

    I got the bug and bought a Clifton #45 for a lot of bucks. Then over the next ten years Stanley #45 parts, pieces and finally a clean one and a Record #405 NIB. then I started on the Stanley #55 to do asymetrical cuts as it allows a height control. After a bunch of parts and pieces I grabed a NIB#55 with the original tags and factory grind/grease on the irons. I am now cured of this afiliction and I have enjoyed every second of it, but I am done.  I am cured. Paddy