Replies

1. 
   prbayliss | Mar 04, 2009 05:16am | #1

   Hi Habilis,

   I like Cliftons which you didn't include on your list. They can be found here amongst other places

   http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-CLIFBEN.XX&Category_Code=THO

   http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/clifton.htm

   They are a little less expensive than LN, but I think just as good - I own a LN 5 1/2. They may have a little more mass than the LN, but don't quote me on that as I couldn't confirm it.

   I have tried restoring a couple of old stanley planes, but don't really have the time to do it and quite frankly it doesn't fire me up as much as actually using planes.

   Hope that gives you another option.

   Best regards,
   Paul

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/3/2009 9:19 pm ET by prbayliss

1. 
   habilis | Mar 04, 2009 05:44am | #2

   Thanks, I've seen Clifton's on the web. Just included ones I could think of quickly.
   You're response is exactly what I'm looking for; opinions and comments based on personal experience.
   Thanks again.Pete

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 04, 2009 11:49pm | #6

   Paul and Habilis. The Cliftons are what the Stanley bed rocks should have been , very heavy wall castings, monster thick forged irons, two piece chip breakers and great fit and finish with polished top edges on the side walls. They have deadly flat soles as a rule but get big time comments from mag reviewers if they find one a little off.(Clifton doesn't buy a lot of advertisement space)

   The Clifton #7 weighs slightly more than a #608 but strangely the LN  #5 1/2 is heavier than the Clifton, go figure?

   You can also find Clifton at Highlandwoodworking.com and on sale from time to time at Woodworkers supply at woodworker.com

   I have planes from LN and LV and they are very good tools but I love my Cliftons and bed rocks. I also have some anants that are presently used as door stops-ya gets what ya pays for. All the best, Paddy

   Edited 3/4/2009 3:55 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 05, 2009 01:47am | #9

   Hiya Paddy,

   Long time, no see.  How be you?

   Ray

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 05, 2009 03:16am | #10

   Ray, I be fine, payin the mortage, eatin regular, stuck in the house for two days cause my boots were in the truck out yonder and a 16" snow drift up agin the door but a young lad across the street helped me escape late Tues. Did y'all get much snow in the valley? My Tn. digs got no snow so I hear, bless those Clinch Mtns. Might see ya late spring if I get some things done. Best, Paddy

1. 
   joinerswork | Mar 05, 2009 06:31pm | #11

   Pat dahat,

   Good to hear.  I'll look forward to seeing you if/when you come thru.

   We got about 3-4 inches here in the valley, a little more over the mtns in tidewater VA.  Our gov, in true pol form proclaimed it the worst storm the state had seen in years.  Exaggerated gloom and doom seems pro forma if you are in high office nowadays.  Makes 'em feel more necessary, I suppose.

   Ray

2. 
   Samson | Mar 04, 2009 05:55am | #3

   I live in Chevy Chase.  You can come by and try out my old Stanley's if you like.  I have a few veritas specialty planes, but no bench planes.  I started with vintage Stanley's and have gradually added LN's into the mix (4 HAF, 4 1/2, 62, rabbet block, shoulder, etc.).  I doubt I'd evber bother to get a LN 5 or 7 or 3 etc., as my old Stanley's do the jobs I ask of them fine.

1. 
   habilis | Mar 04, 2009 06:49am | #4

   Samson,
   That would be pretty cool. Guess you remembered I live in Hyattsville. When's a good time for you? My schedule's fairly flexible. I've been in construction most of my life; rough and finish carpentry with other trades thrown in. New to fine woodworking besides finish carpentry and small simple projects thrown in. Any advise would be deeply appreciated.Btw, Bill and I got that cherry wood from Glenmont.Pete
   240 441 2792
   [email protected]

3. 
   roc | Mar 04, 2009 09:36am | #5

   If you need value for the buck it is hard to beat the Veritas planes. I have many LN which I like a lot, some Japanese which have their place.

   I have several Veritas:
   Biggest bevel up smoother
   Bevel up jointer
   Bevel up low angle block with the accessory larger handles ( Larry has about got me talked into the regular block for more clearance/might be the way to go here )
   Large router plane
   Many many blades for the above
   Sharpening jig

   and love them. Precise, cut the very hard stuff with BU honed steep. Like the router plane too.

   can't go wrong on design or on price

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

4. 
   billy5151 | Mar 05, 2009 12:19am | #7

   Pete,

   How ya doin'... I pick  up  most of my hand planes at auctions or estate sales. Picked up a Stanley No. 7 jointers plane w/ the adjustable side fence for about $ 10-12 bucks. It shaves like a dream. Someone even had the kindness to keep the iron nice and sharp for me. Matter of fact.. I don't think I've ever paid full retail for any of my hand planes. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll keep an eye out for 'em. If it's anything special or out of the ordinary, I know a guy who deals in older hand planes and maybe he might have something you're looking for. And for myself just for bead work, coves and small jobs the older wooden hand planes work fine. And I pick them up for $5.00- 40.00 at a local auction house down here. I think the auction house has a "handyman/tool" auction coming up on the 4th of April.  http://chesapeakemarketplace.com/  I don't think they have pics up on the Website yet, but soon. Come on down, I'll buy ya a hot-dog. They have a tool auction every 3-4 months. The rest of the time it's general estate or antique & collectable auctions.

   By the by, did you get the rest of the Cherry? I haven't had a chance to do anything with what I brought home yet. But I'm getting full of ideas, as I walk by where I stacked it.

    Bill D.

   "If I can turn it into saw dust, I can handle it"

1. 
   habilis | Mar 05, 2009 01:28am | #8

   Hey Billy,
   How are you and yours. Not sure I told you, but I got the rest of that cherry, even took some of the stuff out of the driveway. Left the place neat and tidy. It was fun. I liked seeing your chainsaw rig, got my mind working. Wonder if I can find enough wood and interested locals to help pay for it.Love to go to the tool sale, but my house is tying up extra funds at the moment. Got a line on a no. 7 am looking for; scrub, fore and smoother. Can't afford a jointer or planer right now, so I'm going the traditional route. Besides the cherry dressing my own lumber will greatly extend my options and save me bucks. I'm sure I'll learn to appreciate the craftsmen of yore.Btw, found my good glasses when I got home. Treat them now as a fine tool; on my head or in hard case. Been clipping on my shirt for years, think I knocked em off loading a log.Still wanting to go to the tool sale, fondly remember farmer's market on rte 5, let you knowTake care,
   Pete