Replies

1. 
   mvflaim | Mar 28, 2008 05:56pm | #1

   A mint Record #405 Multi-Plane went for over $300 on ebay a few weeks ago.

   http://cgi.ebay.com/Record-405-Multi-Plane-MINT-CONDITION-Collectible_W0QQitemZ150225683992QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150225683992

    

    

    

1. 
   pino | Mar 28, 2008 06:11pm | #2

   Thanks. It may not be as valuable as I had thought. Anyhow, I don't know if I could sell it at ant price even though the widow expressly said to do so if I couldn't use it. Just curious as to its value.

1. 
   mvflaim | Mar 28, 2008 06:30pm | #3

   if it was me, I'd go ahead and sell it on ebay. Buy a Stanley 45 and use it and fill up my tank with gas with the left over profit.

   This kinda reminds me of a story I read years ago in the Midwest Tool Collectors Association periodical called The Gristmill.

   A widow sold her beloved husband's old tool collection at auction one day. Still heartbroken after just losing her husband of 55 years, she sat and watched the buyers bid on her late husband's tools with some of them fetching in the thousands of dollars. When the auction was over, the auctioneer came up to her and told her that she will be receiving $20,000 for the tools. People standing by listening to the auctioneer tell her the good news started to congratulate her on her recent windfall of money. The old widow looked up at the people and started crying profusely. She told them "I just lost my husband of 55 years. We could have used this $20,000 to go on trips and see the world and spend the last years of our lives the way we always dreamed. Now I have all this money but no one to travel with. I am more alone than ever before."

   A tool collection is nice to look at, creates good conversation and may be a nice investment but it's more important to enjoy life to the fullest than just keep a bunch of old tools lying around.

   Mike

   Edited 3/28/2008 11:35 am ET by mvflaim

1. 
   bww_maryland | Mar 28, 2008 07:48pm | #4

   yes, but her beloved husband probably got $20k+ worth of "good feeling" by walking down and looking at his shop each day :)

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 29, 2008 12:31am | #5

   Pino, what a wonderful gift. Folks either have a love or hate relationship with 45/55 combination planes and for valid "perceptions". If they are making money they want speed/production/profit and these don't hack it. For some craftsmen (persons) and for hobby workers( to quote Voltaire"there is a joy in the doing" ) they enjoy the slower ride as well as the exclusivity of the shapes that they can make.

   Basically the Stanley #45, the Record #405 and the Clifton use the same cutters, special cutters above the standard set, the cutters from the Stanley #55, the bases for hollows and rounds and the nosing cutter. The Record in my mind has a better fit and finish than the Stanley and the Clifton is so precise that the 405 bases-H&R- fit very, very snug.

   The money. The collectors have screwed up the value market in the last 10 to 15 years by their greed and have deprived woodworkers of tools at reasonable prices. Stanley sold the most, in decent shape 175 to 250 and special cutters at 125 to 175 a full set. Record sold less and most are in prime shape for 275 to 375, special cutters are not often seen but are higher. The H&R bases with cutters for both are more costly than the planes. The Cliftons reflect current manufacturing costs that are highly influenced by the dollar vs pound values.

   I hope that you study up and learn to use the 405, it's a fine tool that can do short work much faster than you can find, set up, test cut and run 8' of molding with a router bit. Email any questions, all the best, Paddy

1. 
   pino | Mar 29, 2008 01:47am | #6

   Thanks for the offer of advice Paddy. I was initially disinterested in using the tool myself, but after starting this thread I've rethought things.That my neighbor's widow thought enough of me to hand this tool on means more than the few hundred dollars I might get for it, more than the frustration I might have in learning to use the tool.I think I'll come up with a project that I can make for her using the multiplane and maybe in the process, learn to appreciate hand tools a little more than I do.

1. 
   BossCrunk | Mar 29, 2008 02:33am | #7

   I have a Record 405.  You need to determine if yours is one that is plated with Cadmium.  Mine is.  You should wash your hands after handling the plane and don't kiss it goodnight when you put it to bed.  Cadmium is not safe.

1. 
   Tony Z | Mar 29, 2008 03:24am | #8

   Boss,

   I know the dangers of cadmium, but how do you determine what the plane is plated with?

   Thanks,

   T.Z.

1. 
   BossCrunk | Mar 29, 2008 04:22pm | #9

   It will have a matte, almost chalky (in places), appearance.

2. 
   Tony Z | Mar 29, 2008 05:10pm | #10

   Thanks Boss,

   This info needs published a bit more, particularly aimed at those guys who like to clean some of their tools by grinding aways flaking off finishes.  Cadmiun, as well as many other heavy metals, is very nasty. 

   I do have one multiplane that may fit this description:  It's a Craftsmen tagged, Sargent made model, and has never been used by me.   The Stanley 45 I use does not have your description.

   Tony Z.

3. 
   philip | Mar 30, 2008 09:41am | #11

   I have a Record 45, cadmium plated. Now I know why I am maaaaaaaaaaad. Thanks a lot.Philip Marcou