Scrub planes

[GunnyGene]

Just like guns, planes and other hand tools made by world famous craftsmen are often works of art in their own right. Holtey is one of the best, and best known. Here's his site, which includes details of how he makes them. Jaw dropping to say the least. The sides of the planes are usually dovetailed to the sole or machined out of a solid block of steel, rather than cast iron like common Stanley or other planes. http://www.holteyplanes.com/

There are other makers, including hobbyists. Kits are available if you'd like to make your own for $300 or so. Here's one source: http://www.traditional-handplanes.com/planekits.php

Just a decent replacement blade for a common plane will set you back $40 or so.

This why I get upset with my BIL and others who leave tools like this sitting out in the rain or literally destroy a good chisel by 'sharpening' on a high speed bench grinder. :shake:

 

[Woodyrock]

Gunny, that 5C needs a wee soak in Citric acid. Does it have the sweetheart laminated iron?

Thinking about out in the rain, I know where there is a Stanley #9 hanging on a wall...family will not part with it. Just sickening to see a tool treated like this.
Woody

 

[GunnyGene]

Already started cleaning it up. Just about done, in fact. And yes, it does have the Stanley SW blade and other features that nail it down as a Type 13. Here's a pic of it apart. Cleaned up pretty nicely.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Gene, I simply had no idea planes could be that expensive!

:shocked2:

I'm on a woodworking forum that has some avid plane collectors. Actually, the most avid buyers of old planes are collector/users. There are several models of old Stanleys that are much in demand.

 

[Staggerwing]

I am a collector-user of these old Stanley planes. I don't have a large collection as of yet but have been slowly adding as I find good deals. I do not yet have a #40.
The old Stanleys (and others) are very intriguing and useful if you have the patience to keep them sharp and to set them up properly.

 

[GunnyGene]

I tend not to buy from the big guys like Patrick ( http://www.supertool.com/index.htm ) or other professional collectors because of the prices. Granted they usually have the best ones, but a fixed income does impose some limits on stuff like this. :wink: So I haunt estate auctions and such for deals.

Some of my old stuff - including the old Abernathy 80D vise.

 

[BillinOregon]

Gunny, I have something very like that Stanley No. 71 1/2 router, but haven't the foggiest about how to use it. But then, I can't walk while chewing gum either ...

:redface:

 

[GunnyGene]

They're a rather special purpose plane used for a variety of tasks, such as dado's, inlay work etc. They usually come with 3 or 4 differnt blade designs, but it's rare to find an old one with more than 1 blade. Here's a good video on how to use it.

[youtube]buLJWnGMQTE[/youtube]

 

[BillinOregon]

Thanks Gunny, That's a more versatile plane than I initially imagined.