Replies

1. 
   notDusty | Feb 12, 2005 11:21am | #1

               kiwimac ,

           You  might try E - Bay at least for a reference . Buy them all , make a deal !

                                                          dusty

1. 
   macalex | Feb 12, 2005 02:05pm | #2

   This is a guy who struggles to get a dial-up connection and can just do email.

   He needs a primer on old planes - I've seen references here in the past.

   I've got enough old tools! New Zealand | New Thinking

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 12, 2005 02:45pm | #3

   There are a few books on old tools, some with prices current to the publishing date. eBay is probably going to be one of the better real world price sources, and there are websites devoted to them. Google will find them. Some of the experts are in your part of the world.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   macalex | Feb 13, 2005 12:41am | #6

   Thanks guys! Some comments:

   > If he can only do e-mail, why would you be looking for a website? <I think he can get on-line, but I don't think he's very computer literate, and his service is patchy and unreliable. He's at the end of a long rural network with lots of background rubbish (electrical storms, electric fences that go 'tic  tic  tic' in the background all the time, legacy infrastructure that is being upgraded ... and so on. Remote, in a word).

   If I can provide a web-based source of information, he'll probably be able to use it.

   I also wish there was a universal reliable source that took a taxonomic approach - maybe there is but I haven't seen one. Market opportunity for someone? Experts - is there an effective and reliable old tool taxomy?

   Malcolm New Zealand | New Thinking

2. 
   EdHarrison | Feb 12, 2005 07:28pm | #4

   If he can only do e-mail, why would you be looking for a website? At any rate, I think http://www.mjdtools.com would give you the absolute high end prices for for old planes in the USA that the market will bear. You will have to search their tool lists. They also have a comprehensive periodic catalog that they will mail you - I think you have to buy it or participate in their auctions, or something - I've never done it - too pricey. When updating my database of old tools that I own (for insurance purposes), I look at a value somewhere in the range of MJD tools (high), Bob Kaune and Patrick Leach (medium) and e-bay (low). I also add the "I-like-it-really-good-because-I-tuned-it-up-and-it-works-really-good" factor in there as well, because heck, it's my insurance list. E-bay is pure absolute market-driven but the quality, rating and condition of tools is extremely random. For molding planes, in particular, I would add http://www.thebestthings.com as a high-end comparison. Maybe someone else here has a better way of establishing the value of old tools?....

2. 
   hammer1 | Feb 12, 2005 07:30pm | #5

   Here are a couple links for old tools. This one is for the Electronic Neanderthal, the site has good information and links to other sites.
   http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~alf/en/en.html

   I get a monthly e-mail news letter from Patrick Leach. He offers a wide range of old tools for sale. The prices can be staggering at times but he does offer some true collectibles.
   [email protected]

   There is a big difference between collectable and users. When it comes to old Stanley planes, there is a lot to know. If you can find a complete and correct #1 Stanley plane for under $1000, grab it. A genuine Stanley Odd Jobs is worth quite a few bucks too. Neither have much use in the shop but they command high prices. One of the worst things you can do to a true collectable is clean or polish it. I bought an unused Stanley #4 from the 50's at a flea market last month for $28 US. This will be a user and probably isn't worth more than $40. Unused originals in perfect boxes are more valuable.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match