Where have you led me?

[JandK]

I had a small procedure done on me about 2 weeks ago so during the R&R period prescribed by the consultant I have spent a lot of time on the forum reading threads. I then spotted a few topics on electrolysis for rust removal and thought I'll have a go on some small items while I am in R&R and to keep myself busy, what fun! These threads then led me to a couple of threads on hand tool restoration. I ended up going through the loft in search of a Stanley Bailey no 5 plane that was hiding somewhere in need of some TLC only to discover that it is missing the cap iron , chip breaker and blade plus the screw holding the chip breaker and blade together.
A few questions how do I know what replacement parts are correct for this plane - size wise and where can I buy these spares?

I had so much fun I immediately scoured eBay for old planes and other old hand tools. I soon discovered that I don't know much about vintage/ antique tools. Aside from the names and the obvious about damage what do I look for to see if it is worthwhile? I am not planning on restoration for resale but rather collecting. Is there any good books, literature on this subject?

This can become very addictive!

Thanks
Jan

 

[tinytim1458]

Plenty of books on Amazon on hand plane or woodworking tools restoration, if you want to save the Pennies for the bits missing you may be able to rent a few books from your library on the subject or get an inter library loan if not in your counties library.
Plenty of Web sites up about hand plane restoration or woodworking tool restoration, even some you tube clips on the subject so plenty to look up of you want some fun on your R+E.g.
Just make sure you do not do to much and injure yourself our make yourself worse.
All the best.
Tim

 

[tobytools]

I will report back after work with a few recommended books.
Be prepared to dig deep Into your pockets, not just for tools, but books, systems and tools to fix tools, you name it befor long your want to be a cabinet maker

I'll be back
TT

 

[Cheshirechappie]

First of all, welcome to the forum, and the wonderful world of wood and tools!

Spare parts for Stanley planes can be bought new. Try one of the 'old fashioned' proper tool dealers, not the DIY 'sheds on the bypass'. Another option is Ebay, or some of the specialist secondhand tool dealers, who often have a bin or two of 'bits' that are too diverse to list on their websites - a phone call may be all that's needed. Alf's website 'The Cornish Workshop' has a good list of secondhand dealers (and all sorts of other interesting reading, besides).

Can we perhaps persuade you to try out some of your newly aquired tools? Making things is fun - acquiring the skills is a bit slow at first, but nothing worth doing is ever done easily, and the sense of satisfaction as hurdles are vaulted is huge.

Whatever you end up doing - have fun!

 

[JandK]

Thanks for all the replies.
Regarding the books, I am not looking for books on how to restore, but more in the line of a reference about the age/ vintage of a tool, a "Hand Tool Collecting Bible" so to speak.
Yes and I will use them, they will not be sitting on a shelf gathering dust.

Just to shed a little light on my background regarding wood working. (bare in mind that there is always scope to become even better) I have taken wood working as a subject at school many years ago, after my compulsory military training service, I studied Nature conservation and in years to come was employed as a forester first by government and then by a sawmill. The owner set-up a full wood working shop (no expenses spared) for us to play in and test the quality of timber produced and actively encouraged us to make worthwhile pieces of furniture. (This all happened in South Africa while it was still a safe and great country to live in.)

I have built our own kitchen cabinets coffee tables etc. But I am doing it as a hobby rather than a career.

 

[wizard]

The cheapest way to get spares for a no 5 plane is to go to a car boot sale and buy a no 4 that should cost £5.00 or less

 

[AndyT]

Regarding the books, I am not looking for books on how to restore, but more in the line of a reference about the age/ vintage of a tool, a "Hand Tool Collecting Bible" so to speak.

Hi Jan, and welcome to the forum.

Much of the information you want is available on line, but as you suggest, some of it is in books. One immediate problem is that some of the most useful books were published before web usage became mainstream and can themselves be hard to find or expensive.

Assuming that you want to read about tools you will find in the UK, I reckon the single most useful book is still "Tools: A Guide for Collectors" by Mark and Jane Rees. I posted a review of it here https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/book-review-tools-a-guide-for-collectors-t62617.html

The single best guide to woodworking tools is the "Dictionary of Woodworking Tools" by Richard Salaman, which should be available from the same sources mentioned in the review.

You may also like to know that there is a specialist society - the Tools and Trades History Society - dedicated to the study and preservation of tools.

 

[JandK]

Regarding the books, I am not looking for books on how to restore, but more in the line of a reference about the age/ vintage of a tool, a "Hand Tool Collecting Bible" so to speak.

Hi Jan, and welcome to the forum.

Much of the information you want is available on line, but as you suggest, some of it is in books. One immediate problem is that some of the most useful books were published before web usage became mainstream and can themselves be hard to find or expensive.

Assuming that you want to read about tools you will find in the UK, I reckon the single most useful book is still "Tools: A Guide for Collectors" by Mark and Jane Rees. I posted a review of it here https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/book-review-tools-a-guide-for-collectors-t62617.html

The single best guide to woodworking tools is the "Dictionary of Woodworking Tools" by Richard Salaman, which should be available from the same sources mentioned in the review.

You may also like to know that there is a specialist society - the Tools and Trades History Society - dedicated to the study and preservation of tools.

Hi Andy and thanks for the links that is exactly what I am after.
Jan

 

[Noggsy]

Hi and welcome Jan. This website is a fantastic reference for Stanley hand planes;

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html