Hand Planes

[Anonymous]

OK, I start by saying that I have heard that there are some really fine hand planes made in UK. I don't have much in the way of hand planes but would like to accumulate a few nice ones. Is there some advice you can give me on this and maybe some web sites I can look at for picking up some. Used might be even more interesting with a bit of recommendation.
Thanks
John

 

[Anonymous]

John,
I suppose the grass is always greener on the other side; I reckon the USA has some pretty good planes to choose from. :wink: I'm not sure what you're looking for specifically, but here are some online dealers for old planes:
http://www.antiquetools.co.uk
http://www.toolbazaar.co.uk
http://www.oldtoolstore.co.uk/
http://www.pennyfarthingtools.co.uk

They're all used to selling to the States and are very reliable. Hope this helps you spend your bucks :wink:

Cheers, Jester

 

[Anonymous]

I bought low angle jack plane from Lie Nielsen in USA via their web page.
It arrived via airmail in 4 weeks and I had to pay import duty on it. I believe that these planes are sold somewhere in the UK by someone. I also believe that there is a woodworking fair/show coming up somewhere in the south East in October where their planes will be on display/sale. A Lie Nielsen employee told me this on the telephone while talking to them when I ordering my plane a few months ago.

It is a great plane, but not saying it is the very best, but as I have never used a top quality plane before this one I find it amazing. It is not cheap but when you hold one it feels great, looks great and that alone will make you look after it properly and keep it sharp. It is a joy to use though I have not used it that much as I am building a new workshop at the moment and the tools are in boxes for a few months.

Their web site is at http://www.lie-nielsen.com/

PS: If you are sepnding this kind of money on a hand plane you should check out other brands.

 

[Anonymous]

I forgot to say that I often have a look around this German site and have bought some chisels from there with a 1 week delivery time by regular post.

http://www.fine-tools.com/

I have done this because I do not have great choice of tools locally in Cork, I am never up in Dublin and since we are part of the Euro I didnt have money conversion issue so this German site was fine for me. In the UK you must have lots of great suppliers of good quality tools..... it is a matter of finding them :!: this is often the hard part.

 

[Anonymous]

Noel,

I should think the supplier in question was probably Axminster and the show was probably also theirs. I was recently given a L-N Low Angle Smoother and it's a real pleasure to use. It's a pity they're not a bit cheaper. I believe the Clifton planes are also very good, also available from Axminster amongst others. However, I assume L-N are coals to Newcastle for someone in the USA and Cliftons are also readily available there. Oh, and Lee Valley Veritas, Knight Toolworks, Clark and Williams, St James' Bay Tool Co., Shepherd Tool Co. etc etc. Heck, why would a 'Murrican every bother buying from little old Blighty? :wink:

Cheers, Jester

 

[Argus]

Axminster Power Tools in (wait for it) AXMINSTER sell Lie Lielson planes, as do Tilgear in Cuffley. I don't know anyone in Ireland. It may be worth comparing the low cost in the USA with the VAT here. Their mail order is excellent and reliable.
One other web site to look at is Karl Holtey. He promotes the pinacle of hand made planes and you are truly wealthy to be able to buy one, however his irons are the BEST and they are quite affordable
http://www.holteyplanes.co.uk/

Good luck

Argus

 

[AndyBoyd]

Axminster sell these www.axminster.co.uk

They are every bit as good as Lie Nilesen slghtly cheaper and of course British.

I have a few as well as my Lie Nielsens and they are very comparible.

They are basically Stanley Bedrock design, but with beautiful clico thick blades.

 

[Anonymous]

If you want a really fine plane, have alook at this site http://www.holteyplanes.com
His prices start from about £1300 though, but he is bringing a 'cheaper ' :roll: plane out soon, that will cost around £600

Cheers
Doughnut