I’m a rookie and have been checking on ebay for used Stanley planes. So far I’ve been outbid on all of them. I was looking to pick up a #4 or #5 just to kind of play around with and learn about sharpening.
In the Woodworker’s Supply catalog I just received, they are selling new ‘Anant’ hand planes for less than I’ve been bidding on the used Stanleys. The add in the catalog reads “We have found that once Anant planes are tuned, they can easily exceed your expectations…” Are these a good idea or something to avoid? I planned on having to tune the used Stanleys anyway, so I thought it may be better to get one with a new handle, knob, finish, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Mark
Replies
If you want to learn buy one.As far as I remember they are made in India my friend has one ,spent a few hours tuning it and believe it or not it isn't bad ! When you want to go a step further put in a Hock iron
Hang around Ebay long enough and you'll get one. I managed to pick up a type 11 #4 rust bucket here while back for $10.00. After restoring it looked great. Takes a practiced eye though to spot the plums among the lemons.
I gave that #4 to my son this past Christmas. I didn't sharpen the blade though! Instead I gave him several sheets of PSA sandpaper and a piece of flat amuminum with instructions to "Have fun".
ps - The aluminum plate was bought on Ebay too as well as was the PSA paper. 3 or 4 years ago I found 100 sheets each of 600 and 1200 grits silicon carbide industrial quality paper on Ebay for $10.00.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Markgraff,
I have bought a few off e-bay but have had better luck at tag sales and the like. How are you bidding? I have had the most luck on E-bay when I decide what the highest value I will be willing to pay...and put that value in my bid. Anyone who wants to pay more than me can have it....usually however, I pay a lot less than the highest price I was willing to pay
BG,
I usually use the Proxy Bid too. Sometimes I'll try and steal one at the last minute but usually the current proxy is higher than my bid. I usually look for one that has only one or two bids on it going into the final hours and then watch it. If a plane's got 12 bids on it I know I'm not the smartest one in that group :)
Also look for those ending during the middle of a work day.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
I agree with Jako. Anant planes are good for starters and tune up pretty nicely with some effort. I don't think you can go wrong either way, older Stanley or new Anant. Its easier, however, in my opinion to purchase a new plane sight unseen from a reputable company than try and buy an older one off eBay. Newbies can get taken if they are not careful.
I was kind of leaning towards that way too. I'd hate to spend $20 on a rusty old Stanley (plus another $10 or so in shipping) and find out its defective in some way. At least with the new ones I know they are not damaged. Once I get enough practice I can splurge for the L-N, right?
mark
I have an Anant # 4. Spent about 2 hours tuning (flatening sole mainly as the frog and mouthe were fine). The plane has a thin iron as on a newer Stanley. It works well on soft-wood as it is. Excellent value at $29 (HIghland Hardware).
On hard-wood the thin iron will chatter. Dropped a Hock A-2 on it for $36 (more than the cost of the plane) and it preforms well. Would I rather have a Veritas (I don't have any LN's). Yep... But, if you have a minimal amount to invest to get your feet wet with hand-planes it is a good plane to start with.
The e-bay idea with a used Stanley is fine for most, I am just not an e-bay person. I don't have time to spend looking, bidding and moving on if I don't get the bid. If I need it, I need it now as I got work to do. The time saved can be used to take a nap. ha.. ha...
Good luck...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I started woodworking about 10 years ago and collected nearly all my handplanes at the flea market and yard sales. I did'nt pay more than $10 for any of my planes. They all took some work but now I have a decent collection of Stanley and Millers Falls with minimal investment. You can even find old junk planes and practice sharpening on them. If you can make one of them perform well then when you do have a good plane you'll be that much better off.
Bekshun
I would keep being patient and snag an old stanley or miller's falls either on E-bay or at a flea market. If you do buy the Anant, Murphy's 7th law of tool buying will kick in and you'll find 4 planes all under $10 next time you're at a flea market ;-P
The older ones are a much higher quality than anything Anant is making.
When people 100 years from now see my work, they'll know I cared. --Matt Mulka
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