am I becoming a plane nut?

[condeesteso]

What is one? I've just been wondering, having decided to go after a US Stanley No7 with corrugated sole.
Is there a test to determine if I am becoming one?

- do I have more planes than I really need to make things with? (I'm on the cusp)

- do i spend significant time tuning them, then testing on pieces of scrap? Do we all do that anyway? (I definitely spend more time sharpening and tuning than is necessary)

- do I buy planes when there are other tool gaps in the workshop that would be better filled? (probably).

Someone out there will know of some really serious cases...

 

[Racers]

Hi, Douglas

You are on the slope and there is no way of getting off (well no easy way) just hang on and enjoy the ride.

Pete

 

[Mike Wingate]

Enjoy it. Is it better than train/plane spotting?

 

[SteveB43]

It's the whole workings vs machining wood debate to me, they're addictive those planes...
(Stanley 4, 50, 71, 78, 79) Record 5 & 6, Clifton 3in1. it's only the fiscal barrier stopping a flood of Veritas and Toms' finest....

 

[woodbloke]

Enjoy it. Is it better than train/plane spotting?

You've forgotton Stobbart spotting 8-[ - Rob

 

[Scouse]

What is one? I've just been wondering, having decided to go after a US Stanley No7 with corrugated sole.
Is there a test to determine if I am becoming one?

There is no test, because there is no such thing as a plane nut. Just ignore it, the urge (wink) will go away and you will be able (twitch) to carry on with your normal (WAYHEY!!!) life.

It's really not a problem, as the opening few seconds of this video of a plane aficionado will demonstrate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJVmecTLQ0k

See? Perfectly normal in every way.

 

[jimi43]

I have so many planes I am in need of an ATC! :mrgreen:

Of all the hand tools...planes are the most diverse, useful, beautiful, tactile and simply gorgeous extensions of the craftsman's hands.

And that whoosh of a finely tuned plane with a sharpened iron has simply no equal in the "relaxing sounds to make you happy" stakes. It's out there alongside whales. :wink:

As I said earlier today...I don't like the No.7C....I don't know why...the sole reminds me of a cheap shed! :mrgreen: I think they are a bit quirky..but whatever rocks your boat. Personally...I would go for a lovely old Record...one of the first ones...Stay Set if possible and upgrade the iron.....oops...hang on...I've got one...scrub that!

Good luck with your disease...hope you manage it with care...it's terminal I'm afraid! :mrgreen:

Jim

 

[markturner]

hey Doug, I think you know the answer to the question...it's like the old anti heroin adverts from the eighties ( you remember.." I'm not an addict..I've just got a bit of a cold..." :wink:

You are soooo busted!!!

But you are amongst friends! Sheesh, i only got started in January, and thought then " well, there's only numbers 1 -8, and 1 & 2 are out of the question, so that's only 6 planes to maybe collect... then I discovered that there were types for each number. I have now started collecting the types.... Oh woe is me........and I am only on the Stanleys......


Cheers, Mark

 

[jimi43]

Ha Mark! I think it is thee that be busted! Good on ya mate! :mrgreen:

I think the EUREKA moment for me was when I started to pick up the right plane for the right job instinctively. Ok, I'm not talking about a jointer instead of a block plane...but just knowing when a No.4 would be better than a No.5 or relying on my chariot rather than the 60 1/2 for certain endgrain work....

Of course close types will all do similar jobs ok...but one will do it superbly.

Don't forget Mark...once you get all the numbers...you will start to branch out into the specialist planes...then the spokeshaves...different makers...antiques....woodies....

He he he! :mrgreen:

Jimi

 

[Fat ferret]

How many planes does one actually need? I have 5 and considere that one too many, I have 2 no4s, one I use, 1950's record and one was given to me, a 60's stanley. I decided I prefer records to stanleys and so I got a record no5 and a double ended block plane to go with them. Recently I bought a record no 50s combi plane to go with them. I am not an experienced wood worker but I have made a few bits of furniture with them and I don't really think I need any others. Although my no 5 still needs a new sole if anybodys got one going spare? The local blacksmith had a bash at welding the broken sole, did a good job considering but its not exactly flat, works ok though.

I supose if I wanted to make mouldings a few wooden moulding planes would be good and if I wanted to join long edges a no 7 might be handy but I get by with four planes. How many planes can be justified before you are a colector? One of each number? And while we are at it what do the wide ones, no4 1/2 for instance do that the standard ones can't? Any thoughts.

 

[jimi43]

I don't use my No.3 much but I use all the others...and enjoy them all.

Jim

 

[condeesteso]

Hi all, and Mr Turner in particular... I am consoled by the possibility that others are in deeper trouble than me. I do have a bit of a cold, but for my cold, your pneumonia!!

Anyway, I made a breakthrough tonight... sort of. I was playing with a block plane (again) and suddenly realised - never mind the shavings, look at the stock. The shavings are thrown away, it's the piece you cut that matters. So from now on, I will attend to the stock, not the shavings... it's a start I feel.

Am I on the way to correction?? (and I will get that No7 corrugated Rule and Level, circa 1920... oh yes.) Fixed you see. Truly fixed.

ps - re the 4 1/2 - you need one of those otherwise the gap between the 4 and 5 is too big. More seriously ask Jim - he has a small plane problem, and a very fine 4 1/2 Record. Actually I'd just say it's a great heavier smoother with a tads more width. But Jim'll set you on the road to recovery.

 

[dibs]

I have a single Stanley, no idea if it has a number, from memory, the sole is 10-12"long, bought it 25 years ago whilst living in Canada. "Jack plane comes to mind, don't know if that's right though. Tried it once, put it back in its box. Been there ever since, though the box is much faded now. I have 2 electric planes, can't get on with them either and they too gather dust. I do have a thicknesser and surface planer, various routers/cutters that meet my needs. Can't understand this plane thing, though, according to the wife, the 12 various corded/cordless drills I have are far too many. I haven't told her about the other drills, she'd only worry. Planes? Not for me, but each to their own. Rick.

 

[jimi43]

Don't worry Rick...we won't tell anyone! :mrgreen:

You are actually doing the future generations a service.

Without your forefathers in 1932, some would not be able to say "got it at a bootfair for a quid....bloke said his grandad just bought it and stuck it in a cupboard....it's been there ever since!"

My grandkids will be happy..... :wink:

Jim

 

[Alf]

How many planes does one actually need?

Just as many as you have to have in order to make the voices stop suggesting things like "If you wanted to make mouldings a few wooden moulding planes would be good, and if you wanted to join long edges a no 7 might be handy." That's in the early stages though. Later the voices tend to say things more like "My precious. My precious. Must have precious" :wink:

 

[Sawyer]

Planophilia is incurable, I'm afraid. It's not too difficult to live with though!

I have so many planes I am in need of an ATC! :mrgreen:

Of all the hand tools...planes are the most diverse, useful, beautiful, tactile and simply gorgeous extensions of the craftsman's hands.

And that whoosh of a finely tuned plane with a sharpened iron has simply no equal in the "relaxing sounds to make you happy" stakes. It's out there alongside whales. :wink:

Jim

I don't disagree, Jim, but at this point must put in a word for saws. Not as diverse perhaps, but the song of a good quality, well sharpened hand saw, is right up there with the planing experience.

By the way, despite my username, I love planes too and they outnumber my collection of saws.

 

[Fat ferret]

How many planes does one actually need?

Just as many as you have to have in order to make the voices stop suggesting things like "If you wanted to make mouldings a few wooden moulding planes would be good, and if you wanted to join long edges a no 7 might be handy." That's in the early stages though. Later the voices tend to say things more like "My precious. My precious. Must have precious" :wink:

Ah but see I don't want to make mouldings or join long edges just yet, if I do I will get them. I can see planes are interesting and if people want to collect them good for them but I can't envisage any situation that would require any other planes than the ones I mentioned.

Still not quite sure why I need a 4 1/2, or a 5 1/2 for that matter?

 

[Corset]

Its not just planes.. I have about 2 mitre boxes by stanley, some by millers fall, and a craftsman and about six saws that I have aquired. I have no idea why i need them. I just do.
The only down side is the saws take a long time to sharpen due to the size of them.
Mind you I am selling my festool saw as i have bought to many planes by veritas

 

[jimi43]

Its not just planes.. I have about 2 mitre boxes by stanley, some by millers fall, and a craftsman and about six saws that I have aquired. I have no idea why i need them. I just do.
The only down side is the saws take a long time to sharpen due to the size of them.
Mind you I am selling my festool saw as i have bought to many planes by veritas

Good man! =D>

Jim

 

[Alf]

Its not just planes.. I have about 2 mitre boxes by stanley, some by millers fall, and a craftsman

So that's where they all are!