Rapier planes...

[Geoff]

Sorry if this has been brought up before but...

I've got gran'paws No 400 "paint stripper".Well, that and an old Bailey 37.[He was a tinsmith]
Anyone know anything about Rapier???

 

[Alf]

Geoff,

Brandname of the Anglo-Scottish Tool Co. of Gateshead, c.1950s/60s. Generally considered not the greatest planes ever, although their #3 mini grooving plane (a knock-off of the Record #043) is well regarded. There's a bit in the archive on them, but not much more than this really - no-one seems to know (or care) much about all the various companies skulling about in Britain at that time.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Geoff]

Thanks so much!!! I always wondered about that thing. And you're right...it ain't nothin' special.

 

[philip marcou]

Yes, I had one of those, ex Father, a number 4 size. Nowt wrong with it, machined sole and sides rather than rasped with belt grinding machines, moderate back lash, quite acceptable. The knob and handle were black Bakelite-not nearly as bad as it may sound.Why don't you clean it up?
I swapped mine for a Record no. 4 in box- old version. 8)