Oops – messed up the first attempt to do this!
Out in the shop just now (late on a cold midwinter Saturday) taking some shots for the scraper thread, and took a shot of my plane cabinet just for fun.
My collection includes the usual Stanleys (with Hock blade and breaker upgrades), a couple of HNT Gordon planes, a little UK-made Bristol Design block plane, an oak 23″ jointer with a wide Clifton blade, a Stanely scraper plane and a couple of spokeshaves, a L-N beading tool, and a few shop-made woodies.
How about showing us yours?
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking
0.06% of the world’s people are Kiwis
0.06% of the world’s people are Kiwis
Replies
Malcolm,
Herewith some planes,excluding Stanley scraper and spokeshaves. Nothing out of the ordinary, but all in good order.No fancy blade substitutes or the like. There is a record 045 multi in the box on the right-nice to have but not used-ditto the Stanley in the orange original box priced at 18shillings and sixpence.The transitional one was found here and I resuscitated it(without bothering about sticking to original colour-prefer green and the thing to work properly).I have substituted some knobs with shapes that I prefer, using some exotic woods from the now very dark continent.
The now famous mookaroid knife setter has a place on top of the box containing a superb old Starret dial indicator and fittings (under the two hand routers which I use often)
Edited 6/4/2005 10:31 pm ET by mookaroid
Hi
What's the blue thing in the back? I notice a collection of block planes. I have a nice little Bristol Design block plane (it's the plane I reach for most - I swopped a multi-plane for it with the maker in Bristol, years ago) and have been thinking for a few months I might indulge in a L-N bronze adjustable block plane. I also like the look of the HNT Gordon wooden block planes.
In the past I've got a lot of use out of an old iron 22inch Stanley jointer, and I used my oak jointer to hand-joint a large Australia-shaped office desk a couple of summers ago (for my 3-summer 'ultimate office desk' project - now in pride of place in my office at work), but now go straight to and from my MiniMax 12in under and over. If freight wasn't so much, I'd think seriously about a long L-N jointer. Not because I need one, but bacause I like big long planes and would really like just one L-N!
Cheers
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
The blue item is a new Record version of the Stanley compass plane-which is almost hidden behind it. I have found it useful to have two of these on several occasions. I personalised the Record by making a brass knurled locking screw to replace their painted thing . I don't really understand the diatribe against Record or Stanley (not 'handyman stuff'): they are basically sound after one has sorted them a bit and thrown away the fibre or plastic handles. Anyway, I still look forward to acquiring a Clifton or L/N or two, or making a Norris Mookaroid.
That Bristol sounds intriguing-how about a close up?
Believe it or not , just prior to departure from Mugabe's haven of now flattened 'illegal' shanty towns, I passed up the chance to buy a brand new Stanley #8 -think it is called a jointer- looks as long as a railroad line.The price then was Z$13000.00 which looked ridiculous then but now the same thing would be 290000.00!
Why don't you just get the L/N you want from Carbatec?-if you are not familiar with them let me know and I will have them send you their thick and free catalogue.
I passed up the chance to buy a brand new Stanley #8 -
if my experience with a new Stanley #7 was anything to go by, you dodged a nightmare there...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Mike,
Seriously , what was wrong with the #7 Stanley-I have the Bedrock version of it and it is fine-old but much favoured as my longest for edge jointing/shooting in the absence of #8. BTW, those #8's I referred to would have been oldish stock as they still had wooden handles.
Mookaroid,
It depends when they were manufactured. I have a lot of old Stanleys, 1930 and two Stanley Victor's 1953 which are fine. Got them all on ebay.
I purchased a new Stanley #4 and it ended up in the trash can, only thing left is the blade and chip breaker.
About this new plane:
The sole needed lots of work to get it flat, the frog did not fit properly which needed work and worst was the cap. The keyhole seems to have drifted in tolerance, making it real difficult to keep the cap in place. After I got this thing all sorted out and working fine (the effort was not worth it) I planed a piece of hard Maple, hit a knot and the frog fractured. That was it, into the trash can.
I have a Stanley Bailey # 4.. It was old and sort of beat up.. Hardly ant rust though..
But stamped on it is MADE IN USA?..
Flattened the base.. Took forever... Did the original blade.. Cuts sweet...
I can not knock it...
Will,
Those old Stanleys are perfect. Sometimes I think hand planes are over rated, after all it's firmly holding a blade in a steel body with some accuracy all round.
Amongst a Veritas and a LN, my old 1930 Bailey #6, remains a favorite.
This is the work of a little #4 Stanley Victor, which is a cheap version of the Bailey. They were made around 1953. It cuts just as sweet.
Edited 6/7/2005 1:16 am ET by Jellyrug
Just LOVES THAT Picture...
Back when I bought it I'd 2 other Stanley bench planes; a new #5 and my dad's old #4... the #5 and #7 were bought within weeks of each other and suffered much the same faults...
pre-tune condition, the #7's sole looked like it'd been left too long in the sun, had a truck park on it before a half hearted attempt to bring it into spec, the sole was both twisted, bowed and had more hollows than a cavity wall...took me 3 hours to flatten it with a couple of 80 grit sanding belts glued to a flat surface...
the frog bedded where it touched; I counted about 3 places (engineers blue test); that took the better part of a day to fettle... then there's the blade... Oi Vey... fine if all you're working is clear pine.. I could feel the tip curling in horror at the prospect of figured hardwood... ever hear of a plane literally bouncing off some tough grain...??? mine did... mind you... even that had its good points... by the time I'd bought my first L-N I'd sharpening and cambering a blade down to a fine art... loadsa practice..
tuning the thing was a joke... if the back of the blade wasn't bedded against the rear of the throat (note mouth wiiiiiiide open) it'd skip and chatter like a kid playing hop-scotch...
the straw that broke the camel's back was being able to deflect the sole into a hollow, causing horrific tear-out at the bottom. Now I know what yer thinking.. deflecting the sole... must be a big lad an rough bugger t-boot... nuh uh... on a good day I might be mistaken for a line-backer's towel boy.. and trust me I was trying to take a thin shaving...
the #5 was little better... same faults in the sole, frog and blade; it makes a tolerable course jack provided the board is exceptionally clear grained and I work exclusivly across the grain...
since then I've learned my lesson, bit the bullet and bought L-N's... the Stanley induced nightmares are a thing of the past...
the #7 did do one job real well... made a fine door-stop... canna fault it there...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Hello Mike,
Strangely enough I examined a new #7 in a tool shop today- non -wood
handles, chrome on rough sanded surfaces on cap iron and linished with what looks like 40grit, and very light-every indication of being a turkey.
I have included pics of planes I use the most,apart from the #3, which is new and had some of the faults mentioned except that they used a much finer belt on the linishing machine. I reckon that the advent of these belt grinders was the beginning of the rot, and fine tolerances obtainable with grinding wheels went out the window.Anyway I got away withit on that #3-don't use it much, but it looks nice.
The most used is the Record #5.5- which has been machined all over-not by me.The Stanley #4.5 was the first plane I got when I was 13-it was well made.The #6 is very heavy-you can see the ribbing-in fact heavier than Bedrock#7. The frog fxing system on Bedrock is a good feature-I think Clifton or Veritas have borrowed it.
You may notice that I have included no #4 or #5- I prefer the wider blade sizes-more heft. Possibly this lack of heft is another contributing factor to their unpopularity.
All except the Stanley Bedrock are Blitish- I am wanedring now if Stanley still make in America and if they are also crappy?Edited 6/7/2005 2:30 am ET by mookaroidEdited 6/7/2005 2:37 am ET by mookaroidEdited 6/7/2005 2:37 am ET by mookaroid
Edited 6/7/2005 2:38 am ET by mookaroid
Mike Wallace- which are you-asterisk or no asterisk???
Sorry- have been trying to send smaller pics but the detail then goes to hell so here are biggish files....
Bristol Design block plane - sorry about the photo quality!
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
Hello Malcolm,
So the Bristol has no screw adjustment? I have always avoided planes without screw type adjusters-am I losing out?
It looks easy to make-send it to me , I'll copy it and add a fine adjustment mechanism....
You should get that Carba-Tec catalogue within a week or so-if not let me know. It will be the 2004 one-211 pages. Saw their stand at the Akl. Woodworm Expo -they had many Lie Nielsens.
Edited 6/7/2005 5:04 am ET by mookaroid
> So the Bristol has no screw adjustment <
Yep. Drop in the blade, sight down through the throat, tighten up the clamp. Takes about 5 secs, and I get it bang-on 4 times out of 5. Slightly too coarse? Tap the back on one of the exposed bolts in my bench. Blade backed-off a bit too far? Tap the back end of the blade likewise.
I've had block palnes with all the adjustments, and seemed to be fiddling with them all the time!
It's a very simple little tool. Cast bronze with a 3mm steel sole, ebony fill, rotating clamp and screw, blade. I engraved my name and the date on the back when I bought it home (in about 82 or 83) , and I've carried it around ever since.
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
I HAD a plane with a hammer adjust... Drove me NUTS!
But then again I was a tank mechanic and we hit HARD!
Kiwimac has posted photos of the block plane - that's the one. As for the adjuster, I find it doesn't need one. It's very easy to adjust manually, only takes a few seconds.
Ben
Does Bristol Design have a catalogue or on-line presence?
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
There is no website that I am aware of. The address is Bristol Design, 14 Perry Road, Bristol, England, BS1 5BG. The proprietor is Charles Stirling. [email protected] may be an email address for Bristol Design, but not guaranteed. A few years ago, when I last did business with them, they did have a print catalog which was issued 3 or 4 times per year. As I recall there was a US$20 subscription cost at the time.
> Bristol Design <
Thanks Ben.
I guess if I were to spend any real money on hand tools it would be Lee Valley-Veritas or L-N. Or maybe HNT Gordon (I do like the look of his small planes, and the two I already own work beautifully - I had some ackward burr elm to smooth recently and reversed the iron in my HNT Gordon jointer so that it acted as a scraper and it was really easy).
I'll try to get in touch with Bristol Design. May be there in about 18 months!
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
I have always avoided planes without screw type adjusters-am I losing out?
They take a bit of getting used to, but I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with mine... My instingt that hitting a woodie with an 'ammer is just "plane" wrong still looms large; I tend to be too timid with the 'ammer, but provided ye ca'canny... they'll take an impressive cut... different... very different to the others in my range, but definately effective...
hellova learning curve though... back to rookie school...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
asterisk or no asterisk
I thought he was a cartoon... little fella... queer lookin hat with wings... loved bashin romans...
me... I'm the guy who doesn't do 60 minutes...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Mook:Slightly smaller files -- hope quality is OK.Leon Jester
You may notice that I have included no #4 or #5- I prefer the wider blade sizes-more heft. Possibly this lack of heft is another contributing factor to their unpopularity.
I agree with you about the advantages of the wider planes; freshly waxed my #5 1/2 will make a cut with little more than a gentle push on mild manered grain while the extra heft gives it the authority to slice cleanly through the harder stuff...
You've a fine collection of fighting steel there... and a Normite too... whodathunkit..?? ;)
I don't have quite as big a range of bench planes; 6 if you ignore the 2 remaining Stanleys (dads oldie #4 needs a ton of restoration before it'll be useable). Right now only my #7 looks remotely as photogenic as your wee collection but only because it's a bit too much tool for the work currently on the bench.. the rest could benefit from a quick brush down and a touch more wax on their soles...
btw you're nearly right re current bedrock manufacturers; only Clifton and Lie Nielsen... Lee Valley have gone their own way with a frog that has more in common with a closed handled infill than a bedrock... seems effective too from what I hear...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
-Mike,
I know who Norm is-but what is the connection you seem to be making between me and him???
maybe this thread will help.. ;)
http://theoak.com/specific/msgtools/14.htmlMike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Aye laddae, Have looked at that link and think that I am just a woodworm with fondness for good tools and machinery and their use, especially on decent timbers like certain African hard woods, Imbuia, Cherry, Oaks,Jacaranda and GREEN SEAL PINE.
Since the thread is called 'show and tell' I now send pics of more planes, most of which see regular use, except for the Record 045 multi.Ihave used the Stanley#50 multi-a nice item.I actually confiscated that Record from an old boy who was in danger of destroying it by lending it to an employee of an 'unsophisticated ancestory', if ye ken fit I mean.
BTW- whereabouts in Aberdeen do you live? I used to lurk around University road and the surrounding varsity area....Edited 6/9/2005 2:09 am ET by mookaroid
Edited 6/9/2005 2:10 am ET by mookaroid
Since the thread is called 'show and tell' I now send pics of more planes, most of which see regular use, except for the Record 045 multi.
<suckin thru teeth... nae a paint chip nor fingerprint... much less a wood shaving between 'em... shame... damn shame... nae only a Normite but a collector t' boot...
;P~~
I gotta admit I choked on my tea when I read "an employee of an 'unsophisticated ancestory'"... dinna tell me... English...????
I used to lurk around University road and the surrounding varsity area....
I'm within a bow shot of Kings College... granted it'd need to be a long bow.....but still.... 3 mins awayMike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Carbatec!
Thanks - is that ex Aussie or are they located here in NZ?
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
ex Aussie ??? I thought there was NO such thing!
There certainly is , and he looms LARGE over little Kiwi, mate.
I have the same model block plane and it is very sweet; takes super fine shavings from very difficult woods. But it is not too comfortable to hold; the knurled knob tends to dig in to the palm. The plane works better using two hands for that reason. If you ever get a chance to go to Bristol Design (Bristol, England) you will be amazed at their selection. They have hundreds of old tools as well as their own line of new hand tools. Some of their new tools are a bit uneven in quality but are still way better than most new stuff.
It's a funny thing - this little plane (Bristol Design) does sit a bit lumpy in the hand, and two hands is best for prolonged use, but I find it easy to adjust, and it works great. I've owned a variety of other block planes in the past, and always reached for this one first.
Took a couple of photos yesterday and will post one tonight.
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
Ben,
Me, go to England? Right now there is more chance of me being shot by the pope.
You are the second person to mention this Bristol plane-how about a picture?
I also found it difficult to grasp in one hand, so my replacement wooden knob at the fronthas helped. In fact my hands usually don't fit the 'standard' items.
Damn! If I kep my tools in nice boxes maybe I could find something WHEN I needed it!
I do not have many photos of my hand tools, but here's the ones I have available now.
http://www.superwoodworks.com
I actually think my cabinet's nicer than the planes, although with Hoch blades they do fine. Someday I'll get the L-Ns, Cliftons and Lee Valleys, but for now I make do with the Stanley/Baileys...
Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hi Mitch
I set out to make a cabinet that I could roll around the floor, or even carry from place to place (like yours), and then found it weighed too much (and was too big) so I hung it on the wall. I'll take a shot of the left side tonight!
It stays open - too cluttered to close!
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
Malcolm,
I have to admit, besides the dovetails, the door was a decorative element I wanted, in addition to keeping my planes dust-free. Hold on a minute - Something in my shop dust-free? Imagine that!
Looking forward to your picture,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
last year I got sick of my tools laying around in boxes and rolls. So i did a big re-org.
Now I can at least find them, and they look so nice, they inspire to do my best.
Just a hanging cleat assembly, but it works...
Saturday night in NZ and the Maori team have just beaten the British and Irish Lions touring side! Famous victory!!
Here's (back to the topic) a couple of shots of the whole tool cabinet. Both are a bit big - have to be to show enough detail.
If you've only got dialup you might want to move on to something else! They'll load OK with broadband.
MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
KM,
Love the pics ... now the questions ...
What's that on top of the cabinet - looks like a very-VERY short saw in a case (but doesn't look like a stair saw)?
What are the metal 'clips' you use at the nose of each Stanley-type plane? Do they allow you to snap them in and out directly, without lifting or swiveling anything?
Can't help noticing that you have at least two nicer leaded-glass furnishings in your shop than I have in my house!
Thanks,
Clay
> What's that on top of the cabinet - looks like a very-VERY short saw in a case (but doesn't look like a stair saw) <
It's a medium-quality dovetail saw, bought in the UK many years ago. The wooden slip case protects the teeth. It's bluetacked to the top of the cabinet. I don't use it much!
> What are the metal 'clips' you use at the nose of each Stanley-type plane? Do they allow you to snap them in and out directly, without lifting or swiveling anything? <
They're standard spring-loaded cupboard catches. Lift to release the plane, simply snap back into place. Works well.
> Can't help noticing that you have at least two nicer leaded-glass furnishings in your shop than I have in my house <
They're not as smart as they look! Broken panes, cheap construction. One is just a pair of doors recycled onto a nailed-up ply cabinet - my late Mother used it in her ceramics workshop to display doll components. The other (on the floor) is a late Victorian case, bought at auction as I recall for the doors and damaged in transit - relegated to the garage and then my shop.
Cheers
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
Kiwi:Congrats on the football victory.I resized your pix, hope they're ok.Leon Jester
Rugby, mate. Rugby. Two more really interesting games this week - against Wellington tonight, and against Otago (my team) on Saturday. There's nothing in world sport that compares to an old-fashioned international rugby tour. The British and Irish Lions are here (plus tens of thousands of travelling supporters), for a series of provincial games and three tests - playing the All Blacks.
Malcolm
New Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
Edited 6/15/2005 2:24 am ET by kiwimac
Ah. Misunderstood -- not familiar with either rugger or football teams, so I assumed it was football.Congrats on the win anyhow.Leon Jester
Well, it's not in my collection but I did make it. I think by now it's in use in the Cabinet shop at Colonial Williamsburg:
View Image
Larry, that's a nice piece of beech!
Malcolm
It is beech, right?New Zealand | New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis
It's beech with a little bit of boxwood and is a copy of a ca 1760 British plow. The most difficult part was making the irons and I've got a little bit about that on our web site here.
The most difficult part was making the irons .. Damn guy... you should have said THAT UP-FRONT..
I worked a little metal in my day BUT not a blacksmith by any means.. Amazing..
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