Quality Planes

Re: Quality Planes

glh

>This isn't going to be much help, but there are some reputable internet dealers who sell high quality planes that are often reconditioned. I've never bought a plane from one so I can't make a recommendation, but I've seen links to some. However, they are still likely to be expensive compared to the Anant. You can get satisfactory results from a new Stanley or Record, and probably the Anant (heard about but haven't used). It's just that you will spend some time tuning the plane to get these results and these planes are not machined as precisely or are they as adjustable as the LN, LV, or Clifton.

Re: Quality Planes

Mickey

>I don't mind spending some time tuning my tools - as a matter of fact, I quite enjoy that process. I'm an engineer by training, so working on my tools appeals to me on several levels.

Do you have any links to the reconditioned dealers you mentioned in your post?

Thanks.

Re: Quality Planes

Todd Hughes

>I find it hard to believe that there are no old Stanley planes in a state as big as Texas.....surely they must have built something down there in the last 75 or 100 years that called for the use of planes, eh?.Where have you been looking for them at?

Was talking to my friend Julie's mother yesterday and she lives in Louisiana close to the Tx. line and she told me about all the tools she sees at the auctions and flea markets both in La. and Tx. Said the prices for most things are much cheaper down there as compared to around here,[eastern shore of Md.] too.

My advise is to go to some local auctions or get to the flea markets early and I bet you will find some planes after a short while......Todd , who did snag an about mint older 5 1/2 Stanley the other day

AA confession!

John, NY

>Hi my names John and I... and I... and I own an Anant plane! There i've said it! I also own Stanleys both new and old, LN, LV and Clifton planes. Hows the Anant?

Well its not a Clifton or LN! Its probably not a LV or maybe not an old Stanley, although in fairness it's probably close... It is better than my new Stanley 4.5. It had a flat bottom, it has a reasonably tight mouth, wooden handles and the sides and bottom were square to each other.

I couldn't justify the cost of a LN #10 or an antique Stanley so decided to give the Anant #10 a try and i'm much more impressed with it than I though i'd be.

Ultimately you get what you pay for but I think with the Anants you need to double the price to determine their worth.

If you buy from Highland Hardware I believe they'll replace it or give you your money back if you're not satisfied.

Re: OLD Tools

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Some body give him the address for old tools list. they allow people to list tools for sale. and from what I hear a nice bunch of people some are regulars here. I bey you can pick up what you want fairly cheap.

Re: Quality Planes *LINK*

Rossmoor Galoot

>American Woodworker back in early 1996 (pre-Readers Digest days) did a comparison of smoothers and rated the Anant a �Best Value� for the money. My own personal experience with Anant began in 2000 when a co-worker gave me an Anant 78 duplex rabbet plane which is a knockoff of the Stanley 78. I liked the fact that it had a double-armed fence instead of the single arm fence the Stanley came with. It tuned up nicely and is one of my users.

As for smoothers, I have an Anant #4. The casting quality is good, it does have an adjustable frog and a vertical adjuster. I would put it on par with a Stanley made post world war II before they completely went to pot. The blade leaves something to be desired but can be sharpened to produce fine shavings. I eventually replaced mine with a Hock.

An Anant smoother with a decent aftermarket blade will put you in the clover for way less than a Clifton, Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen and the knowledge you acquire in fettling the Anant will not be wasted.

On the other hand, I have attached a link to a trusted source for mail order older planes at decent prices. Tell Walt I said hello! (No affiliation, just a satisfied customer)


Brass City Toolworks

Re: OLD Tools *LINK*

Robert Weber

>Here's some info on the Old Tools List:

Tom Price's "The Galoot's Progress" is the best site on the net to get in touch with the Old Tools folks.

I also recomend www.shavings.net. Both of these sites have a number of links to other Galoot's websites. (What's a Galoot, you ask? Go to the link below and all shall be revealed).

Once a month a number of tool dealers who are also active members of the list post tools for sale. The neatest thing about it (except for the fact that these are old tools in decent condition from good folks)is "Standard Oldtools Terms". This means that you tell them you want a tool, they send it to you. If you like it you send them the agreed cost plus postage. If you don't like it you send it back on your nickle, no questions asked.

A nicer group of people you couldn't find (although this one certainly gives it a run for it's money - something about Neanderthals, I guess).

Anyway, Paul Womack , a.k.a. Bugbear, and Jonathan Peck are both regular contributors to both this and that forum.

Good luck, and I hope to see some new faces on the porch in the near future.




The Galoot's Progress

Re: Quality Planes

glh

>Mickey,

I notice a couple people posted some links below. Unfortunately, I had only seen them in on the forum before but don't have them bookmarked. I think for the money you're likely to get a better deal from a reputable old/reconditioned tool dealer. However, there is nothing wrong with going down to Lowe's and buying a #4 Stanley or one of the block planes (depending on what your're looking for) and tuning it. One big improvement that you could make later is to replace the blade with a Hock or Lie-Nielsen replacement blade. However, you will pay about as much for the blade as you will the plane, but there is a significant improvement in performance. You can also improve the finish on most of your projects by using a simple card scraper.

Re: Quality Planes

Roy from Cincy

>Hi, Mickey.

Before I was Roy from Cincy I was Roy from Houston, so I know there were old woodworkers there. Look in the paper and search for estate sales, not just garage sales. Some old gentleman will have passed away and the tools that were good friends to him need to find a new friend. Like you.

Searching the estate sales is like being a fairy tale princess. You gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. So get out there and start kissing frogs.

HIJACK: Anant #10 Plane

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>I was looking at the Anant #10 in someone's catalog the other day. I could have used a #10 last summer, but like you, I ruled out the LN because of the cost (I had just bought a couple of other LN planes).

Any comments on the blade, and the performance?

Thanks,

Don