Replies

1. 
   lynnroy | May 30, 2008 02:00am | #1

   I have bought some planes on Ebay but only half were as promised.  I have found old planes work quite well.  My favorite is a Stanley that i paid $10.00 or so.  The irons are another story.  I have Clifton, hock, Stanley sweatheart, Stanley and woodcraft.  I have found the woodcraft as good as any.  The Hock Cyro planes are more expensive and much harder to sharpen.  I think the modestly priced hock planes or woodcraft are good enough.  Good diamond sharpening stones are probably the best buy.  I think the tiger waterstones are very good value.  I have an oil stone that is useless.  My favorite stones are tiger waterstones but get the large ones.  I use my 3 1/2 a lot if you find one buy it.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | May 30, 2008 04:41am | #2

   Zabo2,

   What you look for depends on how much time you want to spend tuning it up.  Most likely, you'll need (or atleast greatly benefit from) a thicker aftermarket blade.  So don't worry too much about the blade condition.  Minor rust is a minor issue.  Either lapping, electrolysis, a rust eraser, or Evaporust will remove this.  The plane sole should be flat, though you can correct slight curvature with a belt sander, etc.  If you plan on using the plane for shooting, check that the wings are square to the sole.  Totes (rear handles) and knobs are easy to replace, so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on their condition.  I would however, make sure that all the parts are there.  While spare parts may be available, there are plenty of old planes around that you can be picky enough to choose the complete ones.

   I have a feeling that you'll have a hard time finding a scrub plane.  #4 planes, on the otherhand, are common.  I'd recommend transforming one into a scrub plane by radiusing the blade and removing the chipbreaker.

   You will probably find some planes with perforated or corrugated soles.  The idea behind these is to reduce the amount of friction between the wood and plane sole.  I don't feel that they are effective and can catch on the edge of the workpiece.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

3. 
   Joe Sullivan | May 30, 2008 04:42am | #3

   Stanley planes or the Sargent equivalents are the most common workhorse planes.  There are other good makers, too, but with those, you know more or less what to expect and there are lots of spare parts around.  I'd recommend a #4, #5 and #7 or #8 of wither brand -- the Sargents can be numbered differently -- it is the size that counts.  Spend some time on the web sites that discuss Stanley and Sargent, to become familiar enough to know that you are buying pre-1950 and ideally -prewar items.  # 7 05 #* planes in decent but rusty condition can run you $30 to $50 counting freight from Ebay.  They can be a lot higher if you want to chase them.  I find that I can get goos user 4s and 5s for under $25 counting freight, and for as little as $2 to $5 at fleamarkets.  Then you have to clean and tune them, but thst in itself educated you on the tool.

   Joe

4. 
   BruceS | May 30, 2008 05:04am | #4

   Of the countless numbers of hand tools that I have. I can count on less than one hand the new hand tools I've bought.  Flea markets, garage sales and antique stores provide all my needs.  And It's a lot of fun rehabbing an old tool, getting acquainted with it, thinking about where its been and what its  done and getting a little of its history when you can.  Like the previous owner or further back.  Old tools deserve a better life than the land fill and a little loving and use too.  Make them happy as well as yourself.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   Zabo2 | May 30, 2008 06:01pm | #5

   Thanks for the replies. Another question, what is junk what should I not buy?

   Zabo2

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 30, 2008 07:15pm | #6

   Zabo,

   Stick with Stanley, Sergeant, Millers Falls, etc.  Avoid Anant and new planes this side of WW-II in general.  I would highly recommend you visit Patrick Leaches Blood & Gore WEBsite to get a real good understanding about old planes.

   Here ya go: http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0.htm

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   mvflaim | May 30, 2008 09:34pm | #7

   Zabo2,

   Brands you should avoid when buying a bench plane:

   Dunlap, Shelton, Fulton, Stanley Handyman, Stanley Defiance, Buck Bros, Great Neck, Corsair

    

   Brands you should look for:

   Sargent, Millers Falls, Stanley Bailey, Union, Craftsman, Lakeside, Wardmaster

    

   Brands you can buy but will probably fetch collector prices:

   Stanley Bedrock, Stanley Four Square, Record, Vaughan & Bushnell, Siegley, Keen Kutter, Winchester, Clifton, Lie-Nielsen, Veritas

    

   mike

    

   Edited 5/30/2008 2:54 pm ET by mvflaim

5. 
   chuckh | May 31, 2008 06:59am | #8

   Zabo,

   Look at this site:  http://www.brasscityrecords.com/51.html

   Walt is a good guy and he won't sell you junk.

   Good luck,

   -Chuck