Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Aug 25, 2003 06:25am | #1

   I have a few that I bought out of curiosity.  Highland Hardware claims they're better than the new Stanleys and Records.  (My Stanley's are all 100+ years old, so I really can't compare them to the newer ones.)  They certainly aren't pretty, but after an evening dedicated to a bit of tweaking, they do a satisfactory job.  The irons seem a bit thicker and the steel a bit harder.  Adjustments are sloppy.  They're fine for occasional use, but one is probably better off spending the money on an old Stanley.  Only exception I might make would be the case where a less common plane, such as a jointer, might exceed one's budget.

   Jeff

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 25, 2003 06:00pm | #2

   LP

      Checked yesterday an they haven't arrived at Highland Hardware yet. ETA, late this week if all goes well. Spoke to the guys at Highland about them. They got all the proto-types from Anant an carefully scrutinized each. The ones that appear in the cat are what made the grade. Others were rejected.

      You cannot compare them to an old Stanley, even thought they would be closer than the new ones. Better tolerances on the critical points, but the over-all looks are not going to knock you over. At that price, they shouldn't.

      I'm on  vacation this week an will be at Highland several times as I'm building another work-bench. I am going to buy one when they come in to high-tune an try. Will let you know what happens with that scenario when they arrive.

      I took a Stanley 60 1/2 an tweaked it too the max. I just used it to plane a maple top for a work-bench. No problems.   Point is, I got the top within .001 with that cheap plane that had been tinkered with. The Anant is not an LN as evidenced by the price. A 1965 Chevy Impala isn't a Mercedes. But the good news is with a little tuning the Chevy gets you from point A to point B if you can't afford the Mercedes. I'm going to find out if the Anant can do the same. ha..ha..

   Let you know...

   sarge..jt 

3. 
   javera | Aug 26, 2003 12:32am | #3

   Just my two cents but you can generally find very good used Stanley Bailey hand planes listed on eBay.
   I've purchased 6 different hand planes on eBay. I paid less than the new Anant price for each of the models they make. The only one I paid the premium on was a 606 bedrock.
   I don't think you can compare the new planes to those made in the early part of the 20th century.

   But to each his own. Hope you enjoy using them, whatever you might get.

   Joe

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 26, 2003 10:24am | #4

   Joe

      No, you can't compare the current Stanley's to the Stanley's of old. That is true with several other tool lines also, sadly.

      Thanks for the idea of the E-Bay thing. I'm not much of an E-Bayer, but several others have mentioned picking up the older tools their. As terrible as I am with computers, I may have to get my wife to assist. When I do, it cost me expensive dinners, so it negates the bargains.

      I'm still going to get an Anant when they arrive at Highland. For that price, I want to just test it to see if it can be made productive or is a waste of time an money. I guess I'm just a tinkerer at heart. For $29 for a #4 smoother, I won't have to declare bankruptcy if it goes awash. ha..ha..

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   javera | Aug 26, 2003 04:27pm | #5

   Good luck and good fun.

   Joe

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 12, 2003 06:11am | #6

   LP

      Anant # 4 smoother is in the shop. I had to do little to flatten the sole and sides. All checked rather flat with a machinist square. Went ahead and lapped the bottom anyway. Colored the whole bottom with red magic marker. Only took about 10 minutes and all was well. The sides checked flat enough that I did not bother. Don't suppose that was because that was the first order Highland recieved from Anant. I don't know.

      The throat is machined well. It did have a small paint burr on the front. Corrected short order with a flat file. Also (very surprisingly) found a small burr on the blade tip at the bevel. As I flattened the back and honed and then the front angle, all was OK there also.

      The blade mic'ed out at 5/64". As you know 8/64" is 1/8". So, not the thickness of a Hock, but the same as a newer Stanley as I mic'ed one of those also. I waxed the sole and sides after polishing.

      Played around for about 20 minutes finding the most applicable adjustment. The frog is flat, but not machined with the finish of a more expensive plane. The adjustments are OK, but not L-N quality (you guessed, right).

      Planed red oak, maple and Doug Fir to see how the plane re-acted on each. Good results with not chatter in these three woods. The plane weights the same as better planes and the lenghts are the same. Feels fine in the hand. The blade required minimum effort to get sharp. How long it stays there remains to be seen.

      I cannot compare to a newer Stanley, the Bed-Rock or the more expensive L-N's, etc. I have not used a #4 in any of these. I wish some of the real plane guys would compare as I am curious. What I did find that for $29.95 it is a good buy for those that can not rationalize the higher cost of a precision made plane. 

      Is it a precision machined, piece of metal art? Nope....

      It is a work-able, fairly well machined plane with OK adjustments that will get the job done with the blade sharpened properly. Yep.... An throw in hard-wood handles which are standard without up-grade to boot.

      Would I buy the # 5 for $39.00? Yep.. My son just blew that much on dinner for his girl-friend, an we know where that dinner will end up. The plane will be up on the shelf and when you need a cheap plane that will perform reasonably without costing a arm and leg, it'll be ready to come down and do a little work ...

   Evening...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 12, 2003 01:56pm | #7

   Sarge, what a great post.  Thanks.  A Hock or L-N iron would be about $30 or so.  That would make the smoother about $60.  How does that compare with other lower cost planes, if you know.  I ask because I know you have been shopping.

   Alan

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 13, 2003 03:54am | #9

   s4s

      Highland has the Stanley #4 1/2 (no # 4's listed) at $54.95. The #5 is $60. So, it would put the Anant about the same price after adding the Hock iron. You would have to do add the $30 to the Stanley to get it decent also. That gives the ANT about a $30 advantage, give or take.

      They did not have the #10 Bench Rabbet in yet at $59.95. Curious to see that one. Will be by Highland tomorrow or Sunday to get a vise and Watco for the new bench I'm piecing together. Would like to have a gander at that one.

      Anything specific you would like me check out while there, post it and I will try to get you an answer.

   Evening...

   sarge..jt

2. 
   javera | Sep 12, 2003 09:42pm | #8

   Thanks for the update on the Anant 4.  Sounds like you had a good time getting the plane tuned and cutting.

   Joe

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 13, 2003 04:07am | #10

   Joe

      I do enjoy tinkering. The plane is helping with a new work-bench I'm piecing together with scraps for the most part. I am satisfied with it for what I paid. The adjuster could be improved, but it will get there with a little effort. The throat, frog, cap iron, bed and sole were good for $29.

      I did not get chatter while planing the bottom of that work-bench. ( 24" x 72" maple ) Until I do, I will stick with the stock iron. Then I will probably switch to a Hock. As I haven't tried it on curly maple or some trickey's, I didn't see the necessity.......... yet! ha.. ha..

   Evening...

   sarge..jt