I’m on vacation in NC and have stopped at a couple of antique stores. I’ve seen a couple of old hand planes. One was a Stanley #2 at about $325 another plane was a Stanley Circular plane at $125, and a #3 Stanley for $75.
I own LN planes so spending a couple of bucks is nothing new to me. What’s new is spending nearly the same for an old tool. Are they worth it? Is it just a collecting thing? I don’t know if buying the old tools and making upgrades (Hock blades) are worth it. Also are there any good books or reference material for pricing available?
Replies
TC,
John Walter's little blue book on Stanley tool pricing is pretty useful. The edition I have is 2004, so the prices on a few things may be a bit out of date, but I've found that most of the going prices for planes on the infamous auction site are within the ranges listed in the book.
The cost of the #2 is probably influenced more by collector value than other factors (assuming that it is a desirable Type # and in collectable condition), but sounds about right. The circular plane sounds about right, and the #3 about right, but on the mid-high end.
There are a number of old Stanley planes (all pre-WWII, with only a couple of exceptions) in my collecti...er...working inventory. Nearly all of them, after a bit of fettling, perform almost as well as my LNs. Most of them have the original iron (or at least the iron that came with the plane when it was bought), and with a couple of exceptions, hone up quite well and hold that edge; those that didn't had a Hock or LN replacement iron put on them. (I like the LN better, especially the LN chip breaker, but both are good quality.)
Are they "worth it?" Only you can really decide that. My nickel's worth -- based on my experience -- is that they are fine planes (assuming that the plane is in decent shape and becomes well-fettled), capable of just about everything that the higher quality new planes, like the LNs, LVs, or Cliftons, are capable of doing. Personally, I'd give, say, the #3, a try, and see what you think. And, if it turns out that you are not satisfied, you can always auction it off and get (at least most of) your money back with a #3 (they seem to be pretty popular); and who knows? you might even make a couple of bucks....
Hope this is of some use to you.
Cheers!
James
Tc, that#3 looks good, However, check for repairs, gouges ,missing hardware, small cracks, pitting, re paint job,signs of abuse (hammered over plane irons, stripped out cap screws loose totes etc etc Most planes in that price range will need a bit? of fettling to return it to good use. Check out this auction site to get an idea of prices.
http://www.mjdtools.com/auction/auct-main.html
Sorry I dont know how to send a direct link.Good luck Steinmetz
TC:
I would suggest getting a copy of Garrett Hack's The Handplane Book. It has been a great resource for me. I have a large number of old Stanleys, Sargents and Millers Falls and feel that once they are cleaned/tuned up, they perform very well. The new versions by LN have nice blades and seem to be almost tuned right out of the box. The old Stanleys etc. usually need work, but for me that's part of the fun of hunting for/collecting and using old planes. The old ones have soul!
Keep in mind (if you haven't already thought of this) that you can always approach the store owner with negotiation on price. I used to own a store, we sold mostly furniture, but quite a few other "collectibles" (including a huge set of molding planes that were bought by a cabinetmaker in Colorado or somewhere) and were certainly open to discussion on prices as long as the customer didn't get all hard-azzed on us.
Especially true if you were to buy 2 or 3 planes at one store, and their being shown by the same dealer. "I'd really like these two planes, but was more in the $X.xx range. Do you have room on the price??" for instance.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
TC,
At those prices I'll ship a bunch to you postage paid. I have several L-N, a couple LV/Veritas and way too many Stanleys.
I learned all about planes on the Stanleys by spending hours, weeks, months restoring them. Like others have said, you just gotta decide what your purpose is and how much is it worth to you. I use L-N mostly when I am building.
Spending more time than I should in antique shops, flea markets, and on ebay, I will give you my opinion on the prices. The #2 better be in excellent condition for $325. And I still wouldn't pay that much. Ebay would be more in the $200 to $250 range. I bought one in an antique shop that was in excellent condition for $25. It was hard to keep my feet on the ground and the grin off my face till I got outside.
The #3 at $75 is high also, unless it comes in its original box and is in top condition. $35 to $50 is more typical.
The circular plane (depending on the specific one you are talking about) might be okay for $125 if it is in very good condition.
Mr Walters book is strictly a guide. Ebay has changed everything. Ebay prices are one thing. The same plane in an antique store could sell for more or less depending on the plane. Ebay is a good place to buy common #3 thru #8 planes and a lot of block planes. Prices are generally cheaper than antique malls. The more collectable the plane the higher the price ebay will be. Too many rich people willing to pay top dollar.
I have the most recent big book of Mr Walters and one of his small annual price updates and am eager to see his updated big book. It is coming out in the next several months -- at least that is what I have been told for the past couple of years.
Have fun!
Alan - planesaw
tc, every plane I use is an old style Stanley bench plane. I have about seven in my tool chest ranging from a #3 to #8C jointer to the 113 circular plane. Along with the other posts, the prices on the plane are for collecting purposes. A Stanley #1 will bring in $1200 or more while a Lie-Nielsen is a couple of hundred bucks. Ebay is the best place to buy old stanley planes. If you want to upgrade it, replace the blade with a Hock or Lie-Nielsen that fits Stanley bench planes. I was actually thinking the opposite as you: Is the price of a new Lie-Nielsen worth the extra cost versus an old Stanley with a Hock blade??
Alan- Planesaw, I didn't even know John Walter was still around after he left Marietta and moved to Akron a few years back. It would definetly be nice to see an updated tool book with updated pricing. His hardcover book sells on Ebay for over $200. As soon as I hear it's coming out, I'll sell mine and buy the new one.
Edited 7/11/2006 1:55 pm ET by mvflaim
At those prices I woudl expect the planes to be tuned and ready to roll, unless you are truly collecting and only looking for a rare type #. There are a number of folks around here, as well as over at WoodNet in the hand tool forum that will sell you a solid user in ready to use condition for around (perhaps less than) the #3. The others sound to me to be more collector's types, so I can't comment yet. I'm still working on having a couple of each size so I always have my, er, options open when using my planes.
Of course, when it comes down to which plane I reach for the most, that would be my LN #4 (bronze, cuz it's pretty).
Just some data points:
I've got Stanley planes in 3, 4C, 5, 6, and 8 (I have a Record 4 and 7, filling the common bench plane gaps). I bought my #5 from mvflaim. :)
Including shipping and tax (where applicable), I spent a minimum of $48, and a maximum of $110, with the average being $60 (if you throw the Records in too, it's pretty much the same #s). All were in good condition, though most of the planes I've gotten needed to have their blades sharpened.
If the StanleyBailey no. 3 does not have patents, 3 preferably, then it's not really worth that much. Solid 3's (Sargent 408 or Millers Falls 8) are regularly selling for 15-40 on EBay, many of these appear well cared for. Without patents on a Stanley, the price is generally under 25, unless the plane is super fine.
Lol
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