The discussion about plow planes, dado planes, etc. has been very interesting.
I have some questions regarding the “hunt” for planes. I’ve found plenty of wooden planes in antique malls here, but the problem is, they are often in booths not owned by tool dealers, but rather, furniture or misc antique dealers, who seem convinced that they are worth a lot — especially plow planes, even if they have cracked or missing parts.
My local old tool dealer is certainly a “metal” specialist — no wooden planes.
eBay seems to be teaming with woodies, but certainly a risk. I’ve already acquired a handful, but there really is a risk — some arrived without blades (the pictures were unclear) for instance. I’d like to have a plane in my hands before I buy it, but it seems like the eBay is the only chance I have to find the variety of specialized woodies that I’d like to use without spending years searching.
I wonder what others’ experience has been — how did you find your wooden planes?
-Andy
Replies
I buy mine from Patrick Leach, or The Best Things (.com) or from one of the other internet old tool sellers. You will pay more for them for sure, but you are buying from reputable dealers who know what they are selling, and are honest about what shape they're in.
For some planes that I use a lot, or where original examples are difficult to find in useable, but not collectible condition, I buy new from Clark & Williams. Like all fine new tools, they are expensive, but for my needs they're worth every penny. (I have 4 C & Ws and one in progress).
Buying from Ebay is okay, just realize that 50% of the time the stuff has problems. If you dont mind some work to get the planes back up and running, and you are prepared to throw away some junk with terminal problems and chalk it up to experience, you can find some decent users at good prices. I'm not at all sure it works out the most economically though.
Like my Brother (IBM Engineer) says, you don't want to do the cheapest thing, you want to do the thing that costs the least.
David C.
VTAndy,
Come to the auction in Nashua, NH in April...tons of planes at reasonable prices. http://www.mjdtools.com/
Edited 2/25/2007 10:01 am ET by BG
BG,
Looked at the list and drooled all over the place! Also, I didn't realize that the mint condition Stanley Odd Job is so valualbe!
If anyone is looking for woodies they are certainly going to be in Nashua next month. I'm in the upper part of NH and so it is about 180 miles from me, not that far. I used to live in Hudson, just over the Merrimack river from Nashua.
This past winter I have met several people who have given me a rather substantial herd of both steel and woodies to add to my collection. As a result, I've been fettling all winter, off and on, what with the cold weather keeping me out of the shop.
Thanks for the info.,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
KiddervilleAcres,
One of the interesting aspects of this event is that these dealers hate hauling around good user stuff...no money in that..and prefer to limit themselves to hauling only the really good stuff. Lots of deals can be had on Thursday.
Where do you live, Andy, what country? No profile info. If VT stands for Vermont, you have some great places to look around New England. There are tons of wood planes available in the USA. Plough planes are popular as decoration. they have an attraction because of their configuration and sculptural qualities. These may be a bit expensive but it depends how fancy they are. There are many other wood planes that sell for less than $50 but prices are rising.
Because of the wood wedges that hold the blades, many blades fall out. A bunch of planes get tossed in a box and parts can get intermixed. You need to deal with someone that knows about planes and keeps the proper parts together. There are a few dealers that specialize in old tools. You pay an extra premium on the price but wood planes are still quite reasonable.
There are still some companies that make new wood planes. There are quite a few old tool dealers as well. Donnelley has an auction coming up in April in Nashua NH (mjdtools). I subscribe to Patrick Leaches monthly tool letter (supertool). Here are a bunch of places to ogle, some have links to others.
http://www.mjdtools.com/
http://www.supertool.com/forsale/feb07sale.htm
http://www.planemaker.com/sample/
http://www.ecemmerich.com/
http://www.rosewoodandbrass.com/pageforsale.htm
http://www.thebestthings.com/woodplan.htm
http://www.hansbrunnertools.gil.com.au/index.html
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~alf/en/tools.html
I agree with others, if VT is Vermont, you should find plenty at all the old tool auctions, estate auctions, etc.
HOWEVER, unless you are into antiques, take a shortcut and go straight to Larry Williams in Eureka Springs, Arkansas for the best wooden moulding planes made today.
http://www.planemaker.com/
Have fun,
Alan - planesaw
Thanks for these responses -- some of which are very helpful in encouraging me to hit the auctions in Nashua, NH.
Believe it or not, Vermont is not necessarily a haven for old tools. I know a few dealers, but like I said, they deal in metal planes, not wooden ones. Contrary to expectations, Vermont is simply not brimming with old tools -- in part because many have already been removed from the state, and in part because... hm... hard to say it diplomatically: people here have not historically always been good at preserving old but useful items. The adage about about "use it up, wear it out, make do or do without" is fine and dandy, but often "wear it out" has meant leaving things exposed to the elements, which brings about an early demise...
-Andy
Have a holiday (vacation) in the UK. Here in the east I can lay hands on most of what you may desire.
Of course, in return for air fares for two and a months free accommodation with spending money included in Vermont I could buy what you want and deliver by hand. This generous and unique offer applies to all (an oxymoron JL) who desire to keep the actual purchase costs within bounds, although the pocket money may vary.
Form an orderly queue please.
Andy
I, for one, have given up on ebay for woodies. I have purchased 5 on there, the last being about 6 years ago, and all five are junk. I've been able to use my Ohio filletster, but am looking to purchase a new one, hopefully from Clark and Williams. Of the 4 side beading planes that I purchased, one from Chapin is close to being useable, but the boxing is loose, and I need to ask someone knowledgeable how to repair it correctly so I don't ruin the plane.
I am no longer willing to plunk down the cash for a woodie that I'm not able to inspect beforehand. Half of the descriptions that I read on ebay for plows, filletsters, etc... aren't even correct, and I don't know anything about woodie's, but I know those descriptions aren't correct!
Jeff
Edited 2/25/2007 7:49 pm ET by JeffHeath
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