Last week was my birthday so Friday my fiancee (new development, still getting used to saying that!) took me to a used tool store, Liberty Tool in Liberty, Maine – racks ‘n racks of old/used tools, some vintage, some crap…and gave me $52.00 (one for each birthday) to spend.
I found a 22′ long jointer plane, well made, square and true, knurled brass adjusting knob. Brought it home and it handles well and cuts sweet. Paid 36 bucks. Only thing is, there’s no name on it. A “442” in raised numbers at the rear of the body and a couple of numbers stamped on the underside of the cap iron. The sticker said “No. 06”. Who knows? Anybody have a guess?
Then today I went to a rummage sale and bought a P-C belt sander, older, metal body, built like a tank, works great, for 5 bucks.
I’m a happy man, and even the cutter belt on my riding mower breaking today couldn’t spoil my mood…
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The $52 is cheap for an engagement. She got off easy :-)
I read a great joke today on another forum. Here it is:
A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband was not in their bed. She puts on her robe & goes downstairs to look for him.
She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him. He appears deep in thought, just staring at the wall.
She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye & takes a sip of coffee.
"What's the matter dear?" she whispers as she steps into the room.
"Why are you here at this time of the night?"
"Do you remember when I met you & you were only 15?" he asks solemnly.
The wife is touched to tears thinking that her husband is so caring & sensitive. "Yes, I do" she replies.
The husband pauses ... The words are not coming easily ..... "do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car, making love?" "Yes, I remember" says the wife, lowering herself into the chair beside him.
The husband continues .... "do you remember when he stuck a shotgun in my face & said, "either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years?"
"I remember that too" she replies softly.
He wipes another tear from his cheek & says ......... "I would have been released today".
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
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Mark -
I once used a variation on that story when I told some friends that "If I woulda shot her the first time I thought about it, I'm sure I would have made parole by now".
Did you notice the word "once" in my first sentence?? SWMBO was NOT amused. - lol
Mark.. LOL..
I liked that one.. Really FUNNY!
Chad,
That 06 could be either a Record plane or an Ohio plane. Both manufacturers used a prefix of the Zero in front of Stanley's numbering system( #4, #5, #6, etc.) Usually though, Record marked theirs with their name. Ohio Tool Company made mostly wooden planes and their name was stamped on the front of the tool. You didn't say whether the plane is metal or wood, did you? That "sticker" you are talking about. Was that something the store put on it or a label by the manufacturer? I do not know of any #6 planes that are 22" long. You have my curiousity going for sure!
btrouble
It's a metal plane. The sticker was a store price tag and I have no reason to think they really know what they're talking about! And honestly, what it is is less important to me than how it works, which is very nice. I just think that because it's so sweet and well-made it must come from a reputable mfr. and I'm curious.
I just went to Liberty Tool on Friday. I used to live in the area and actually roofed their building over thirty years ago. I remember the life threatening scaffold we built. I'm surprised the place hasn't collapsed with all that weight from the tools. Being in Liberty is like a step back in time. It's a bit off the beaten track, great back roads for a motorcycle ride. Tool hounds still manage to get there and you have to be lucky to find something rare. I had no luck looking for a good #5 or a #8. The hand saw selection was interesting but they are hard to strap to a bike.
I wouldn't put much faith in the store labels, there has to be a million parts and pieces in that shop. Did you see the drawers labeled, "no clue". There were many plane manufacturers, Dunlap, Fulton, Sargent, Millers falls as well as Stanley Bailey. It's always helpful to know what you are looking for and what parts are correct, planes can be cobbled together with a variety of spare parts. If it works well for you as a user, it doesn't matter if it's not absolutely correct and original. A #6 is typically 18" long with a 2 1/4" blade. #7's would be 22" with a 2 1/2" blade. If you want to identify the maker, you will need to post some pictures. Sounds like you have a nice jointer plane, enjoy.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
"If it works well for you as a user, it doesn't matter if it's not absolutely correct and original. "
Yup, this is what I think, too (in guitars as well as tools). I don't collect 'em, I use 'em, and function is what's most important to me.
Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go flatten some boards...
Happy big O' 52.. May you have MANY more...
She sounds like a keeper Chad....congratulations!
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