Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 11, 2003 07:57pm | #1

   Wood or metal body planes?  Molding planes?

   John W.

1. 
   Ardito | Dec 11, 2003 08:06pm | #2

   John,

   The planes all have metal bodies.  The handles are wood.

   Darkmagneto

2. 
   larryg | Dec 11, 2003 10:21pm | #3

   The hand plane book by Garrett Hack put out by The Taunton press. Has every thing

3. 
   BobSmalser | Dec 11, 2003 11:23pm | #4

   http://www.hyperkitten.com/tools/stanley_bench_plane/

   http://users.ev1.net/~gmuster/tool_restoration.htm

   http://host65.ipowerweb.com/~traditi2/forum/index.php

   http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2nwp6/stanley/Stanley.htm

   Lotsa links out there for restoring and tuning old hand planes.

   All mine are heirlooms, too....some from the 1860's...and all still in daily use.

   “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.

4. 
   mlbfreestyle | Dec 12, 2003 12:52am | #5

   When I got my first decent hand plane working well; I was up past midnight running up and down the length of a few boards enjoying the process of leaving such a fine surface in my wake.

   Persist until you learn the tricks.  A good plane (or a few) are highly valuable as working tools.

5. 
   JerBear | Dec 12, 2003 12:58am | #6

   I started collecting old handplanes a few years back when I discovered I already had quite a few valuable collectables just from years of being a woodworker and carpenter.  I bought The Handplane book by Garret Hack, and went on to several more books on the subject including the large value and descriptive book on Stanley Tools, very useful.  One old plane that kicked around in the grime for years I discovered was worth almost $900 to the right collector.  Start with the Hack book, it will give you a good over all view on what types of planes you own and also how to restore and tune them for use.

1. 
   Ardito | Dec 12, 2003 01:09am | #7

   Thanks for all of your advice!  Looks like I will be purchasing the Tauton book and "sharpening" my skills on planes!  haha

   Dark Magneto

2. 
   JohnWW | Dec 12, 2003 01:09am | #8

   Restoring an old plane can cut it's collectable value to a fraction of what the tool would be worth unrestored.  If you're intrigued by the idea that some of the planes might be valuable, don't clean them up until you know if they're rare.

   John W.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 12, 2003 04:48am | #9

   Hey John -

   I restored my #1 Stanley bench plane.  But, I ain't never going to sell it, so, as such, it ain't worth nothing!  And, as long as it's worth nothing...........why not!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   Ardito | Dec 12, 2003 10:15pm | #10

   I have finally figured out what plane I have.  It is a Stanley/Bailey No. 8 with the corrugated bottom. 

   Why do some have smooth bottoms and some have corrugated bottoms?  What are the uses for them?

   Thanks!Dark Magneto

1. 
   JerBear | Dec 13, 2003 12:40am | #11

   It's theorized that a corrigated bottom gave you less drag on certain materials because of less surface contact.  I never really noticed the difference.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 13, 2003 12:46am | #12

   Another theory is that new features attract new interest and therefore - hopefully - new buyers, whether or not they actually increase the usefulness of the product.

3. 
   Tao | Dec 13, 2003 03:11am | #13

   I have both kinds, and for some reason the corrugated ones work better for me, especially when rough planing. It might be that stray crumbs of wood have a place to go and don't lift the plane up when they get caught underneath.  For whatever reason, they just feel better -- a little bit.  Not a big deal.

   Michael R