Planes: upgrade needed?

[Keefaz]

Hi, all.

As a newcomer to woodwork, I really didn't have any idea what I needed before I started. I simply went down to B&Q and picked up a load of stuff and started using it. Now, a few months later, it seems that a lot of the things I bought were rubbish.

Actually, the set of Irwin chisels I bought seem to be OK, and the marking gauge and moritse gauge--while a bit cheap--are both usable. My main problem has been with the planes I bought.

I got a Stanley jack plane (#5?), a terrible Stanley block plane (the red one: #102?), and a low angle Groz #60 1/2 thing.

Basically, the only half-decent one is the Stanley jack. The other two are rubbish: the #102 is basically unusable (or maybe it's just me?)

I'm thinking about getting some older planes as I've read that the quality of many planes has decreased significantly. Really, all I need is a longish jack-type plane for general use, a good block/low-angle plane for working on end grain and small jobs, and possibly a rebate plane?

Dose anyone have any recommendations? Or am I barking up the wrong tree here?

 

[woodbloke]

In my view, you are on the right tack as older planes seem to be built to a much better standard. The castings will have had time to mature, the grinding is superior and they are fitted with decent wooden handles. Do be prepared though, to spend some considerable time to fettle them in - they won't be perfect. A better cutter and cap iron are also a good investment and will improve the performance of any old (Record, Stanley) plane that you buy.

Don't start on the slope though :!: - Rob

 

[George_N]

I went down the route of buying older planes on Ebay. It has worked out ok, but you don't really get to see before you buy, you have to rely on the seller giving an accurate description and being honest about condition etc. Stanley and record No.4 and No. 5s are available all the time and can be picked up for £5 - £15 + P&P. Block planes always seem to be more expensive. I got a Stanley 9 1/2 for about £15 + P&P, but they can often go for £30 or more. You have to be patient and don't get carried away; you only end up paying over the odds. You also need to invest some time and money into sharpening kit. A plane is no good if it is blunt. I went for Japanese water stones and a Veritas honing guide...it works well for me, but not everyone will agree with that choice. With a honing guide and a few sheets of wet and dry abrasive paper of varying grades you can try the "Scary sharp" method. It works well enough, but I found it too much of a fiddle, sticking sheets of paper to a glass plate etc.
There is a whole host of good information on plane fettling and sharpening on this site and on the net in general. Alf has a page somewhere on fettling a Groz block plane...try the search engine at the top of the page.

 

[Alf]

Keefaz, hopefully some nice mod'll chuck this into hand tools and you'll get lots of response. And a lot of it will leave you dizzy and confused. So maybe best to start with an idea of your budget so we can advise you on where best to sow it upon the waters.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Keefaz]

Keefaz, hopefully some nice mod'll chuck this into hand tools and you'll get lots of response. And a lot of it will leave you dizzy and confused. So maybe best to start with an idea of your budget so we can advise you on where best to sow it upon the waters.

Cheers, Alf

Yeah, I wasn't really sure where it should go! As for budget, I'd be really pushing the boat out if I spent more than £50 on a plane, and ideally more around the 30 pound mark. Of course, I don't want to have to replace the lot again in a years time... but it's hard to justify the expense to the missus until I start churning out the Chippendales.

 

[George_N]

I just noticed that Alf has 7999 posts to her name...does she get "Chippendale" status for 8000 posts

 

[Alf]

Hmm, right, that narrows down the options.

Okay, well there's Ebay of course, plus the learning curve of fettling and tuning, which can be Steep and Depressing. Or you could give Ray Iles a bell and ask about his reconditioned planes with replacement blades, reground soles etc. Might cost a bit more, but it'll get you up and running that much faster.

Block planes are a nightmare, 'cos even unremarkable secondhand ones command a reasonable wad of cash. To be honest, and don't gasp too loudly, I'd suggest either the LN or Veritas little block plane. Yeah, it's a teeny tiny bit over budget, but even folks with snazzier block planes reach for these in preference - it'll last you a lifetime.

Rebate plane you can be fairly cavalier about - there's not much to go wrong with a basic rebate. A Record #778 or equivalent model with two fence rods is the creme de la creme, but any old Stanley #78 or similar manufacturers version does a fine job. Should be able to get one of the latter well under budget - but make sure it's got all the parts; fence, fence rod, depth stop, spur cutter, all the thumbscrews (it only has one blade and lever cap btw - don't let the empty bullnose position fool you, although you might get lucky with a seller who doesn't know that...)

Cheers, Alf

P.S. George, I fear not...

 

[Anonymous]

modedit

Moved to Hand tools as requested - Tony

 

[Anonymous]

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[Dave Leishman]

I just picked up a Stanley No5 for £18 and a No4 for £12 at a local second-hand shop - both of the older pattern (the ones I remember from school in the 70's).

The No5 needed a little fettling, but was in good condition overall. The No4 was still in it's original box, and both plane and box were almost as new. I think the plane could only have been used a couple of times.

I used the 'scary sharp' method for honing the blades after regrinding them to 25deg and both are cutting like scalpels now

I bought a piece of 20" x 12" 6mm glass (£7) and stuck 2 pieces of 120 grit wet-and-dry to it. Rather than pulling these off, I placed the harsher grit paper onto the 120 grit and it held fine for sharpening. I just went through the grades then, placing the required w&d paper on top of the glued 120 grit stuff. It works fine if you're careful about brushing off between grades.

Anyway, back on track...try your local second-hand shops