I know nothing about planes - help!! Where do I start?

[Rob_H]

I have avoided planes as there seems a plethora of types: block, rebate etc available. I need my woodwork to move on a level, and to avoid me relying on sanding, where do I start?

I was looking at LN kit but I don't know what I need. I mainly make mirrors - elm, walnut, maple etc and some small pieces of furniture but I can't put off the inevitable forever.

An silly person's guide anyone?

 

[Peter T]

I know what you mean. I was in the same position earlier this year.

I drooled over the LN stuff but then decided they would be wasted at my skill level.

I decided to go for Stanley/Record stuff from e bay, the logic being that if I could get good results with those, then maybe I would progress to the better stuff at a later date.

So far it's working out OK. I have a nos 4, 5, 5 1/2, and 7. The only work I've had to do on them is cleaning, flattening and re-grinding/honing.

There's a ton of information out there on the web about how to do these things and, if all else fails, put it back on e bay and let someone else have a go!!

Good luck,

 

[TonyW]

Someone with more knowledge of what you need for your specialities will be along soon in the meantime.

I am sure that LN, Clifton, Veritas etc are first rate and work straight from the box with very little fettling required.

As Peter says another way to start could be looking at the fleabay offerings you can sometimes pick up some excellent Stanley and Record planes at reasonable prices (seems the older the better!!). On the other hand you can also pick up a lemon that requires too much work to make it worthwhile.

A good starting point for Stanley plane info http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

Unfortunately cannot find similar for Record

 

[Peter T]

I've never been able to find a good site for record planes but they seem to be so similar to Stanley that it's not worth worrying about it.

I also found this site very useful. I think I found it somewhere on this forum but I'm not sure where -https://home.comcast.net/~stanleyplanes/planes101/tuneup/tuneup.htm

 

[Paul Chapman]

For a rough indication of the age of a Record bench plane, have a look at the frog. In the picture below, the the style of frog on the right was used up until some time in the 1960s. They then changed to the style on the left. Planes with the earlier frog tend to be better in my view

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Smudger]

For a rough indication of the age of a Record bench plane, have a look at the frog. In the picture below, the the style of frog on the right was used up until some time in the 1960s. They then changed to the style on the left. Planes with the earlier frog tend to be better in my view

Cheers :wink:

Paul

But worth noting, Paul, that you can't fit an older frog on a later body without some major surgery. All other parts seem interchangeable.

 

[AndyT]

Tony and Peter wanted

a good site for record planes

.

I expect Bugbear is too modest to mention it, but all you need is his collection of info at http://www.geocities.com/plybench/record.html

and possibly a copy of the book 'Planecraft' that Record published as a sort of blend of catalogue/ tip sheet / sales pitch. It appeared in various editions as the range changed but is quite easy to find on Abebooks or ebay.

 

[Paul Chapman]

But worth noting, Paul, that you can't fit an older frog on a later body without some major surgery.

I've never tried it, Dick, but probably not worth the bother. I imagine that there are a few differences where the frog mounts to the body and, as you say, that would be a lot of work. In any case you can pick up good examples if you look around. That one on the right of the picture is an ex-school Stay-Set #05 which I found in "our" Wallington shop for £20 8). I fitted a Clifton blade and it works really well. The sole didn't even need flattening.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Smudger]

That's where I got mine! In fact an 03 and 2 04s. And an 04½. I must admit that I was given my 05 (which I've never finished fettling after taking a huge chip out of the cutter on a bench vice at school), and the T5 which cost me £30...but I missed a nice 'Wallington' 07 for £65.

I 'happened' to have an old frog, but to make it fit I would have had to file a much bigger slot in the front toe. I had also acquired a number of Stay-Set cap irons, and there was a lot of bitzing going on! And replacement cutters, totes and knobs. I don't think I've used any of them except the 04½ and the T5.

 

[TonyW]

I expect Bugbear is too modest to mention it, but all you need is his collection of info at http://www.geocities.com/plybench/record.html

and possibly a copy of the book 'Planecraft' that Record published as a sort of blend of catalogue/ tip sheet / sales pitch. It appeared in various editions as the range changed but is quite easy to find on Abebooks or ebay.

Andy, yes you are right I have seen Bugbears site but forgot to mention it - although I think he concentrated on the unique Records that were not Stanley copies - just wish he would get on with it and cover all the models Record made :lol: Bugbear if you read this sorry I failed to mention your site as a source of information

I will keep an eye out for Planecraft book thanks

Cheers
Tony

 

[bugbear]

I have avoided planes as there seems a plethora of types: block, rebate etc available.

.
.
.

An silly person's guide anyone?

http://www.geocities.com/plybench/plane.html

BugBear

 

[Rob_H]

I have avoided planes as there seems a plethora of types: block, rebate etc available.

.
.
.

An silly person's guide anyone?

http://www.geocities.com/plybench/plane.html

BugBear

Thanks - just what I was asking about!! Cheers!

 

[bugbear]

For a rough indication of the age of a Record bench plane, have a look at the frog. In the picture below, the the style of frog on the right was used up until some time in the 1960s. They then changed to the style on the left. Planes with the earlier frog tend to be better in my view

Cheers :wink:

Paul

But worth noting, Paul, that you can't fit an older frog on a later body without some major surgery. All other parts seem interchangeable.

Although that can be done, doing it misses (part of the) point. That frog is an easy-to-read indicator of age, and age (in general) has an inverse relationship with quality, so the frog sort-of-indicates the quality of the blade and casting and ... everything.

BugBear

 

[Rob_H]

Just bid on a Stanley No 4 on an auction site - thanks for the tips

 

[Smudger]

For a rough indication of the age of a Record bench plane, have a look at the frog. In the picture below, the the style of frog on the right was used up until some time in the 1960s. They then changed to the style on the left. Planes with the earlier frog tend to be better in my view

Cheers :wink:

Paul

But worth noting, Paul, that you can't fit an older frog on a later body without some major surgery. All other parts seem interchangeable.

Although that can be done, doing it misses (part of the) point. That frog is an easy-to-read indicator of age, and age (in general) has an inverse relationship with quality, so the frog sort-of-indicates the quality of the blade and casting and ... everything.

BugBear

Yeah. Well.

It seemed like a good idea at the time...