Just curious on feedback from knots:
I bought a plane from thebestthings.com per below. i’m far from a plane expert or user, think normite. I’m curious whether you the hand tool users think i received a fair price. I debated on $200-250 for Veritas / LN, but thought I could try out hand tools for 1/3 to 1/4 of the price. I’ve never used or sharpened a plane before.
ST70283 #4 Bailey Smoothing Plane This is a little used Stanley smoother that is most unusual in that it has the post war hardwood tote and knob, but without the ugly stain and with pre-war quality shaping. It may be one that was made when Rosewood was not available during the war, but was finished with the same finish that was used on the rosewood. Whatever, it looks quite nice and deserves a good home in a nice shop. G+ $69Sold
http://www.thebestthings.com/oldtools/graphics/st70283.jpg
Replies
If it works well when fettled then it was worth $69.00. It will never be a Bedrock or a Lie-Nielsen but it should be perfectly serviceable as a user. I have a drawer full of nice planes from Lie-Nielsens to my own infills, but for some things my pre WW2 #4 works just fine. I retrofitted it with the iron from a Lie-Nielsen #4 which was a real upgrade. It fit mine without any mods but I can't say for sure if if will drop right into yours or not. But a Hock iron will and that will also be an upgrade.
Ron
Decent? Yes.
Here's a thought (... not a criticism), though, that has played out for me repeatedly. The economic reasoning may seem faulty. In the long run, my approach has paid off when considering additional follow-up purchase costs later necessary to make me whole or the cost of frustration when using a mediocre tool.
Here ' goes. In certain instances, e.g., wood planes and spray guns for examples, I have paid almost top dollar to get the best functioning and reliable (and not necessarily the shiniest) tools. I can develop a skill, then, with equipment out of the equation.
I could buy a jointer with what I've got invested in Veritas planes, and am very pleased.
thanks everyone for the replies. I'm new to hand planes, so I'm sure you'll see additional posts asking for advice on actually using.thanks again, Brad
After the war there was an era known as the Type 18s that lasted but one short year. This type is quite glorious as it has all the brass you could want along with the thick war castings. During this type the knob and tote were in fact hardwood but came with either the nasty black paint or a somewhat less nasty walnut stain followed by lacquer. This occured 1947-1948.
-Ryan C.
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