Need plane purchase advice

Hi,

I have this offer to purchase a few hand planes for a bit more than

250$ do these look worth the amount?
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I'm not sure of the make, or current quality - I have only the photos to judge from...

Thanks

Reply to
Moshe Eshel
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"Moshe Eshel" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Do you need handplanes?

Patriarch

Reply to
Patriarch

Yes I think I do need, I mean I want :-)

The price seems a bit high to me as well, actualy like the price of new ones (and these are obviously not new). But I was looking for a second opinion - maybe I'm missing something here...

Reply to
meshel

I would guess that $250 for all of the planes shown wouldn't be too bad of a deal, but again, there isn't much detail.That price for a single plane, is good for a brand new top of the line plane. robo hippy

Reply to
robo hippy

Reply to
Andy Dingley

Unknown make + unknown quality + unknown condition = too high at any price. Don't listen to the sireen song of six planes for less than $250 each.

For only $8 more you could get a Lee Valley Low angle jack plane and apron plane brand new with warranties. Now you would have something that will make you smile ear to ear.

Bob

Reply to
bluemax1811-newsgroups

thank you all for the help, at best I have to get the price down signifcantly, or just buy from other sources - the truth is I should spend my money on other things (I need to buy a good saw, so that I will have what to plane)... Keep away from shady deals.

Reply to
Moshe Eshel

Moshe--a few years ago I bought a set of 9 metal planes at an estate sale. All were in good condition and well-maintained, if well-used. One required a new knife, but beyond that they were all in good serviceable condition. Included were a trying plane, two low-angle block planes, a jack plane, a smoothing plane, a rabbet plane, and three other assorted intermediate types. As a basis of comparison, I paid $115 for them and still use them regularly.

Max

Reply to
Maxprop

I saw the pic and said: "AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH - NO WAY!"

NOT even the slightest chance! That looks like a TOTAL rip off. Besides that, you would get two No. 78 duplex planes (image right, without their spare parts), and two No. 4 smoother planes (upper left). And the two larger planes look like cheapo generics, believe me, I am a good judge.

I suggest not buying them. Do a good bit of research on what's out there and THEN make your selections. Using planes takes time, patience and hard work, and money. not $250 for crap you don't know about.

If I need a plane, I buy old Stanleys on eBay, bought a couple locally in antique malls too. But Miller's Falls are as good and so are Sargents, but you can buy new ones as well, such as Lee Valley's Veritas brand which are made in Canada (HIGHLY well made), Lie-Nielson (USA made) and Clifton (English made), Steve Knight wooden planes (well liked), Japanese wooden planes, Clark and Williams wooden planes, and many others including kits -- if you can afford them.

Part of buying used planes is "fettling" them to a 'tuned', very useable condition. This is "work" -- you know. These lessons are on many sites on the 'net, as well as how to properly sharpen the blades, search for "scary sharp" to start.

If you buy used Stanleys, you can get them refurbished by "Mike_In_Katy" with new jappaning baked on, as well as new totes and knobs. Also new blades and chip breakers by Hock tools (USA-French made).

I would stay away from old or used planes that have plastic totes and knobs, gray colored Craftsmans, maroon colored Stanleys are garbage, dark blue colored Stanleys are good enough. The old Stanley "Handyman" line (light blue) were the cheaper type for the common hobbyist, and household use. I have heard good mention about them in this news group, and they always sell for less on eBay.

On the other hand, you can do any damn thing you want, and a cross eyed "LOL" for ya ... good luck, but keep on asking questions here, people do help.

Reply to
AAvK

Moshe, I suggest you take a look at this group and check out all the resources it has to offer. Find out how to buy and what to look for and also get a good idea of price ranges. Right now there are some good user Stanley's being offered for around $30.

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Read the FAQ and then click on "Message Archive" in top right hand corner. Peter

Reply to
Peter Hyde

HI:

I don't know what you have access to in Israel, but generally, unless you are desperite for planes, I would not buy either bulk or site/hands unseen.

At first impression, the two rabate planes appear to be stanley's but also appear to be missing the blades and blade clamp, rendering them useless without replacing parts.

The two smaller bench planes on top look like Stanleys, like No3 and No 4, good general smoothing sizes However without knowing when they were made and what condition they are in, they could well be boat anchors.

Of the two karfer, the Jack plane looks like it could be a Bailey, but again no indication of condition.

The largest about a No 7 looks to be a stanley but again not sure and no clue as to condition.

I will state from the outset, I am a plane fanatic. I love Lie-Nielsens, but the same range as in the post would run you about $2000 or more!!!

A less expensive alternative might be the new line of Veritas- Lee Valley planes

You first really need to define your need in a plane. If you are buying a new plane or anyhing made by Stanley or the other mass plane makers, be prepared for a lot of work to make it useful. An OOB plane today will have a curved or non-flat sole, needing extensive lapping to trueness. A blade that is crap requiring replacement with a Hock or other aftermnarket blad. Either exxtensive truing or replacement of the chip breaker. And worse if youo hope to have anything like an adjustable mouth, extensive truing of the seating area of the sole and frog.

I would suggest that you look for Garrett Hack's book on hand planes. He extensively discusses what is required to make a good plane and how to true or tune one. Plug "Garrett Hack" into Amazon and look for his Hand Plane Book. The book is very well written, by a guy who doesn't so much use a plane as perform with one!!

Take it from one who has his share of flea market and other assortef cheap planes, most are about good for doorstops!!

If you have any more specific questi>Hi,

Reply to
Bradford Chaucer

In rec.woodworking Moshe Eshel wrote: : Hi,

: I have this offer to purchase a few hand planes for a bit more than : 250$ do these look worth the amount? :

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You've heard most of this in this thread but ...

The two rabbet planes are Stanleys or copies, and can be found complete on Ebay or from a decent seller for $25-45 USD. You only need one.

The smoothers are hard to tell about, but a decent Stanley #3 or #4, or one by Sargent, Wards, or other good makers (as long as you get vintage ones) will currently run $25-60. It's nice to have both sizes, but one will do.

The jointer again is a Stanley or equivalent. I haven't priced them recently, but $45-80 will get a nice one.

In any event, a vintage plane by a good maker will be very substantially cheaper than a new Lee Valley or Lie-Nielsen (not to knock them, I have planes by each, but older American planes are excellent tools).

If you have trouble locating a dealer, drop me an email, as I have extras of most sizes.

-- Andy Barss

Reply to
Andrew Barss

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