I wished to ask a question: Does anyone know the full story on why Record/Marples tools are no longer available in the American market-place? I understand that a couple of large American conglomerates successively gobbled them up. Apparently they are still readilly available in Europe, but their American owners do not want to sell them here. Did they decide the competition was too strong here and thus they could not realize sufficient mark-up here?? I see they sell for MUCH higher prices in Europe than what they previously sold for in the U.S.. Also, does anyone have some un-biased opinions on the Indian “Anant” hand planes currently being promoted by various tool dealers here—and saying that they are superior to the British Stanley planes. Aside from the fact that they have wooden handles (poorly finished, in my opinion), they seem POOR quality compared to the British Stanleys. I bought an Anant jack-plane and the blade will only adjust side-ways in one direction–it is badly machined and it happens to have PLASTIC handles! Would appreciate some comments.
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Replies
Trev
I bought an Anant #4 for $29.95 and it's a pretty good plane with a switch of irons. That encouraged me to try the #5 jack for $39.95 expecting the same results. Nope. As you stated, the iron adjustment just is not on the same wave-lenght even though the assembly is the same???
Comparing the new Stanleys (which I did), I prefer the Anant #4 over the Stanleyby a long shot. Did not have a Stanley #5 to compare to the Anant #5, so I don't have a clue.
Solved the matter by purchasing several of the LV planes, which I'm delighted with. Excellent quality at a fairly reasonable price as the crow flys.
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Trev I was under the impression that some Indonesian concern took over Record/Marples, and I heard second hand that in the last year or so, Lee Valley was sending stuff back to them due to some very poor quality since the take over.
Trev..
I can't comment re UK Stanley v's Anant, although I know from experience that UK Stanleys are pretty poor quality.
Re Record; the company doesn't exist any longer. They closed their works in Sheffield, sold all their tooling and moved the entire operation to India (I believe). Their new trading name is Irwin or Record Irwin. From what I've seen when browsing through local Big Box stores, their build quality is slightly worse than Record of old, but pricing is still around what it used to be for the old Record gear.
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Now this is what I call timely. I just came in from my shop after putting an edge on a new set of chisels my son bought me for Christmas. I was suprised when I opened the present because it was, what appeared to be at first glance, a 6 chisel set of Marples Blue Chip chisels. I was suprised because one thing my son does not have besides an appreciation for fine tools is money. I had never heard of Irwin before last nite.and it says right on the blades " made in Sheffield England"........Maybe a left over set from the Marples days? soon to be a collectors item???...............I can see them now on Antiques Roadshow................. in about 100 years. Anyway...they look good enough. They seem to take an edge good. I like the fact that they have the "chalace cupped" shafts so that I can turn my own handles and take off those cheap looking plastic ones which are exactly the same color blue as my Blue Chip chisel
Wicked Decent Woodworks
Rochester NH
"If the women dont find ya handsome.........they should at least find ya handy.......... yesssa!"
Mike, the only Record/Marples items I've seen in a "big-box" store is the set of four "Blue-Chip" chisels, now named "Irwin", although I think it still says "Marples" in the fine print, and they are apparently still made in Sheffield England. Incidently, "Irwin" (of auger bit fame from Ohio) is the name the American conglomerate is putting on all the tools they bought up. I would like to know for sure if the Record tooling was taken/sold to India---Perhaps an attempt by the American "mother" company to cut costs?? Have you seen other Record/Marples tools in a "big box" ? If so, where?
I would like to know for sure if the Record tooling was taken/sold to India---Perhaps an attempt by the American "mother" company to cut costs?? Have you seen other Record/Marples tools in a "big box" ? If so, where?
OK.... I know for sure that all the CNC machines in the Sheffield plant were sold in a public auction last year. I know that what was left of the company (what's a company without any tooling??) was relocated to India, probably to take advantage of lower labour costs and less stringent environmental policies. I know the company paid off over 5000 staff. I can't say for sure if the tools still out there are old stock or still currently being made in another Sheffield plant, but I'll try to find out. The only Record badged tools I've seen for myself still for sale here have been speed clamps, drill vices and engineers bench vices, although these are becoming scarce.. As you'll see from my profile, I'm in Scotland.. I've seen these in my local Big Box stores...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
I have older Record planes (80s) but I still find that their adjustment system, well, sucks. I now look only at Veritas (and wish I could afford) LN planes; without a well machined adjustment system, I find plane quality is rather dubious. That said, I haven't tried wooden planes where you adjust the plane iron with a "slight tap" of a mallet.
I also have a couple pre-40s stanley planes from my Grandfather, but they're too expensive to buy because the wiener-head tool collectors scoop them up to collect dust on their shelves. I think the only justified use of capital punishment is for those who collect good tools for decoration!
Paul - I agree with you about recent Record quality and if it's true they've moved the whole operation to India it won't improve. I have one pre-40's Record plane (Which I do use occasionally I might add) BTW What's a wiener-head? Is it something to do with over indulgence in the old vino stuff? Just curious 'cos it's not an expression I've heard used in Europe!
You must live in Old Tool He11....around here (south of Chicago) there are plenty of old hand planes. Some sellers see the prices on the L-N planes and think they can get that for an old #6 covered in paint. Just keep looking and you'll find one.
Just about an hour ago I saw the first Anant planes I ever saw, at a store that prides itself on carrying high-quality stuff. They looked like POS, not to put too fine a point on it.
Chad: Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "POS"? Is this good or bad? Thanks.
Trev,POS = Piece of (excrement)Cheers,eddie
Rubbermaid bought Irwin and Record. They have done everything to do away with some of the products. Recently a friend of mine wanted to buy a compass plane. I sought to get him one and was told Record was sold the Rubbermaid and they were no longer making the plane.
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