An possible alternative to forking out for high-end planes.

[Benchwayze]

If you are looking for an economical plane, that is superior to the modern mass-produced specimens:

http://stores.ebay.com/FLATWOOD-TOOLS-and-MORE

Hope this helps...
John

 

[Philly]

Would this be the chap The Schwarz was blogging about?
Philly

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Philly,

Yes it is. I see though he ships only to the States. Ok for me. I have a contact over there who would no doubt act as a go-between!

Regards
John

 

[jlawrence]

Quite a lot of US sellers can be persuaded to ship internationally - it's just not something they've ever considered.

 

[Benchwayze]

I suppose that's true. I've done it in reverse in the past.

At the moment I have all the planes I need.

I am trying to get around to flogging a few!

Cheers
John

 

[lurker]

Would this be the chap The Schwarz was blogging about?
Philly

I've just been reading this.
I'm surprised someone this side of the pond (maybe a retired engineering machinist) had not filled a similar niche.

 

[Philly]

Doesn't Ray Isles offer planes like this?
Philly

 

[Benchwayze]

Philly,

I had a similar thought. I seem to recall from 'Good Woodworking' a few years ago, that a chap in the Northants/Leics area, was doing a similar job, out of an 8 x 6 garden shed. Although he was also making planes similar to Karl Holtey's.

I would tackle this retstoration game myself if I had a miller, and surface grinder!

:lol:

John

 

[bugbear]

Doesn't Ray Isles offer planes like this?
Philly

I think Ray does a general cleanup + a sole grinding. I don't think he does the amount of bearing surface remachining and painting that Flatwood Tools are doing.

Frankly, if anyone has a contact in the states, I would recommend buying one these planes, fairly fast.

Because I don't see a viable business model here, given the work he's doing, and the prices he's charging.

I don't think these are "an alternative to high end planes" though. Ultimately you end up with a super tuned Bailey. Which (as DC has shown) can do excellent work.

But there's still "room at the top". Usual comments about diminishing returns, cost-benefit apply.

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

Philly,

I had a similar thought. I seem to recall from 'Good Woodworking' a few years ago, that a chap in the Northants/Leics area, was doing a similar job, out of an 8 x 6 garden shed. Although he was also making planes similar to Karl Holtey's.

John

You're probably thinking of Bill Carter - there was an excellent interview in an early British Woodworking.

Bill's site is here: http://billcarterwoodworkingplanemaker.co.uk/2.html - if you follow the link to Handplane Central there is a lot more, on the same lines as the BW interview - http://www.handplane.com/interview-with-infill-plane-maker-bill-carter

 

[lurker]

Bill does not "do up" planes.

And the only power tool the chap has is a manky old bench grinder.

However, what he does with a few basic metalworking hand tools defies belief.

 

[Benchwayze]

Doesn't Ray Isles offer planes like this?
Philly

I don't think these are "an alternative to high end planes" though. Ultimately you end up with a super tuned Bailey. Which (as DC has shown) can do excellent work.

But there's still "room at the top". Usual comments about diminishing returns, cost-benefit apply.

BugBear

Hi BB,

I agree. They aren't an alternative quality wise. From the economy point of view though, the No. 6 body he is advertising is a viable alternative to someone whose pockets are not bottomless! From what I read in 'Feedblitz', the planes perform extremely well, so that's a bonus!
Thanks too to Andy...

My apologies to Bill, that I inferred he 'does-up' planes! It was a long time ago that I read the article. My memory plays those sort of tricks lately!
Cheers Lurker..



Cheers
John

 

[dannykaye]

anyone tried this bloke, looks good and I am tempted

http://stores.ebay.com/Zen-Toolworks?_rdc=1

 

[Racers]

Hi, Danny

I have seen those before and thought, are they any good? seem to be cheap enough to take a gamble on, but I have never got round to it.

Pete

 

[bugbear]

Hi, Danny

I have seen those before and thought, are they any good? seem to be cheap enough to take a gamble on, but I have never got round to it.

Pete

On the "Ebony Palm Smooth Plane", the blade is listed at 1/8", which isn't very thick for a plane of this type. 3/16" (or even 1/4") is more usual.

Worse, it appears (from the photos) that the lever cap is the same thickness. I don't think 1/8" brass is rigid enough for this usage.

Still, waddya' expect for 30 bucks.

edit; googling gives:

A favourable review:

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f30/ ... ane-20100/

The maker's youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uTaUz8VY9g

BugBear

 

[Tony Zaffuto]

Same guy as on Chris Swartz's blog.

In NZ, I believe Phillip Marcou reworks planes. In the UK, I believe Ray Iles does also.

I would be curious as to how much work is needed on the frog, or rather how bad the frogs were on the planes that have been re-worked. I have had a toolmaker that works for me surface grind the sole and sides of several planes, and the difference is remarkable. However, this job needs done by someone who knows how to properly fixture the plane body. For the time involved, the cost of the machinist's time would be about $50.00 American, so this is not cheap.

 

[Vann]

In NZ, I believe Phillip Marcou reworks planes..

Phillip listed a number on Trademe (NZ's e-bay), but when one or two didn't sell he decided the market was saturated and hasn't listed any for 6 months or so.

Since then a few other guys have tried selling reburbished planes here. I don't know how they've got on.

Personally, I was tempted by a few of the Marcou refurbs, but I wouldn't try any of the others without knowing the standard of their workmanship.

Cheers, Vann

 

[Tony Zaffuto]

Vann,

I would agree. A certain amount of finesse is needed to grind properly--knowledge of fixturing and supporting the plane body. This would have to be a labor of love for a person to try to do it commercially.

As I said, I employ a toolmaker and had him grind a number of planes over the past years. Every one ground showed significant improvement, if improvement is measured as the ability of a plane to make a shaving .001" thick!

T.Z.