Replies

1. 
   davidweaver | Aug 17, 2010 03:39pm | #1

   Never used one for anything other than edges of curved boards, but..

   .. last I checked, the kunz was about $300. The vintage planes are not rare, nor are they expensive in comparison. Not tunable planes in the sense that you'd think with a smoother or a jointer, but it doesn't matter as long as you can find a direction to use them planing downgrain.

1. 
   Tony Z | Aug 17, 2010 08:49pm | #4

   I've quite a few in the wild, just recently a 113 for $150.00 that looked like it never saw wood.  This was at a flea market near Brookville, PA.  Best bet is to contact a tool dealer to make sure the purchase is intact with no cracks, etc.  I would stay away from Kunz.

2. 
   shopteacher | Aug 17, 2010 04:03pm | #2

   My favorite is the Stanley 113.  They are vintage but not really rare - I use them frequently.  A compass plane is not the easiest to use but with practice they are great.  Of course they are no longer made so ebay is the place (there is almost always some listed).  "Let the buyer beware" - the 113 has some inherent weaknesses so check listings and photographs carefully.  I have a couple of Kunz planes (not compass) and I would rate them as low to fair quality and a vintage 113 can be bought for less than the new Kunz.

   Online dealers like Bob Kaune (http://antique-used-tools.com/) are a more expensive alternative but quality is a sure thing.

1. 
   lwilliams | Aug 17, 2010 07:36pm | #3

   The Stanley #20 is a sturdier plane. It doesn't include as many gimmick features as the #113, especially the early #113 which is very prone to stripped threads in the wheel type lateral adjuster. Because of its lack of gimmicks it isn't as desirable to tool collectors and, therefore, will have a lower price. For a user, it's a better plane and the one Record and others copied.

3. 
   flairwoodworks | Aug 19, 2010 03:16am | #5

   Make your own.

   I think that you should be able to make a pretty well-tuned one out of wood in a day.  The drawback is that the curve would be fixed, unless you get creative.

   Are you looking for more accuracy than a spokeshave can provide?

4. 
   derekcohen | Aug 20, 2010 01:50am | #6

   I would rather avoid Kunz tools if I can. They have a reputation for poor fit and finish, and require excessive amounts of time in tuning to make usable.

   A vintage Stanley is better, such as the #20. Even better still is the cheaper option, but equally as good, a Record #020 (simply athe Record version of the Stanley #20). I have one and it is an excellent compass plane.

   Having written this I must add that a compass plane is not the only alternative. You can do the same work with a spokeshave. The advantage of the compass plane is that it can maintain a curviture over a longer expanse, but this can be its weak area as well if you want the curve to be more of an ellipse. A spokeshave is better then.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

5. 
   cowtown | Aug 20, 2010 02:37am | #7

   working curved surfaces...

   well, compass planes was meant to be used, so no harm it using it.....

   but there is a non-traditional tool used in the automotive trade that is simplly a flexible rasp. It makes for a fair curve, but is a little diffullt to use on solids.

   If you go looking for one, see if you can get finer toothed rasps for it rather that the rough cut normaly used.

   Eric in calgary

6. 
   CaptainSkinnyBeard | Aug 22, 2010 01:04pm | #8

   I bought an old stanley #20 a few years ago for $88. It was a bit rough but it cleaned up to make a great user in a few hours. Everything comes apart on these old planes so if all the parts are there they can always be turned into a goos tool. I use mine mostly for removing bandsaw marks on curved surfaces.

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/38553174@N04/3834147143/

1. 
   Samiam1022 | Aug 23, 2010 11:24am | #9

   Compass Plane

   Thanks to everyone for your advice.  Bought a compass plane off ebay.  Will be here in a few days.