The Mythical Veritas Compass Plane

[woodbloke]

Following on from another thread, it's clear that Rob Lee and his merry men are not going to produce a compass plane any time soon, more's the pity, but just suppose, hypothetically speaking, all things being equal and at the end of the day, at this moment in time (anything I've forgotten :lol: ) would you buy one if such a beast were available?

 

[Paul Chapman]

A definite YES from me. You don't need one often but when you do, you do.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[gidon]

Would imagine it would be too expensive to consider. But at the right price I'd seriously consider buying one (<£150). I'm always looking out for one second hand. But they are expensive and always seem to have bits missing!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[John. B]

This place has a compass plane for sale I've never seen before :shock: A powered one. Pricy though. £287. 87
www.powergrip.co.uk/

 

[Paul Chapman]

A powered one.

Interesting, but hardly a tool for fine cabinetmaking.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Mr Ed]

I have a Record one, so I wouldn't buy one. That said I only use it once in a blue moon, so if I hadn't inherited this one I don't think I'd buy one.

Cheers, Ed

 

[Waka]

Not had the need to use one yet, but should that occasion arise then I'd borrow one of Martins, so many to choose from.

 

[Anonymous]

Afraid not. Got a lovely old Stanley that I picked up for £45 and works a treat.

I would say that the price of such a complicated beast, made to Veritas's usual high standards would make such a tool prohibitively expensive when one considers how often they are used (twice in a year for mine)

 

[Racers]

Hi,
I would like to see what they come up with and it might have the knock on effect of other manufactures making them again.


Pete

 

[bugbear]

I would say that the price of such a complicated beast, made to Veritas's usual high standards would make such a tool prohibitively expensive when one considers how often they are used (twice in a year for mine)

yes - I think Gidon's "right price" of < £150 is wishful thinking of the first water.

BugBear

 

[Pekka Huhta]

Has anyone even considered making one? It's easy peas from an old coffin smoother

Of course it's not as adjustable, but usable at least.

Another idea was something on the dovetail/infill style. All you need is an oval frame, an old frog, piece of old sawblade for the sole, a big screw and that's about it. No sole lapping ahead, remember

Pekka

 

[AndyT]

Picking up on Pekka's suggestion - here's one on ebay from someone who hasn't quite understood what he's selling.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-ROCKING-A ... 0298655266

He had another with an adjustable toe, but I can't find that today.

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I made one for the back stetchers on my xmas chairs from a old smother and I have this tiny one from a bunch of planes I got at a car boot sale

its next to the stanley 98.


Pete

 

[TrimTheKing]

Not sure I'm the right person to be answering this as I am like a magpie, but YES I would definitely buy one, even though I have never used one and have no current need for it!

I do like shiny things, and providing the price was within the current LV range I would get one just for the sake of having it, and would probably design a project specifically to use it.

Cheers

Mark

 

[wizer]

I like curved work. I love my spokes. So yeh I'd probably buy one. I'd like to have a play with one first.

 

[Ironballs]

I know one of the advantages of a proper compass plane is to be able to adjust the curve, but how often do you need the different curve radii? Could you not persuade Philly to make you one for a reasonable price? Would seem the best route to me, why not PM him?

 

[Paul Chapman]

I know one of the advantages of a proper compass plane is to be able to adjust the curve, but how often do you need the different curve radii?

Frequently, if you do much curved work. The whole point about the compass plane is its versatility in that, not only can you vary the radius of the curve, but it will cut internal and external curves. A one-off plane might do for a specific job but that's all.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Ironballs]

Fair point, never used one so have no experience. Given the level of skills often on display here and the craftsmanship seen in the secret santa, there must be some combination of metal worker and plane maker that could cobble together a decent compass plane.

I could be vastly oversimplyfying, but if you took the core of a Philly coffin plane and attached a metal base plate with a screw adjuster at each end you must be most of the way there I would have thought?

Prepares to be corrected

...and shown the light

 

[Paul Chapman]

Given the level of skills often on display here and the craftsmanship seen in the secret santa, there must be some combination of metal worker and plane maker that could cobble together a decent compass plane.

It's not as easy as making a bicycle, you know....... :lol:

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

Fair point, never used one so have no experience. Given the level of skills often on display here and the craftsmanship seen in the secret santa, there must be some combination of metal worker and plane maker that could cobble together a decent compass plane.

I could be vastly oversimplyfying, but if you took the core of a Philly coffin plane and attached a metal base plate with a screw adjuster at each end you must be most of the way there I would have thought?

Prepares to be corrected

...and shown the light

Indeed. That's why the older wooden compass planes (with a curve defined by two points) were replaced by the metal versions, with a continuous sole.

BugBear