Cast Spier's Infill

Re: Cast Spier's Infill

Doug Evans

>Was the front bun stamped Spiers?

Does it have an original SPIERS or WARD cap-iron or double iron? If so, were either of these stamped with a number? This number would match a number stamped on the wood behind the iron somewhere.

Is the plane a "screw-side" or was it rivetted?

Does the lever cap, probably marked Spiers, look like it was installed later. Is it a thinner-than-normal lever.

Regards,

Doug

Re: Cast Spier's Infill

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Hi Doung,

The plane was bought as a "Project plane" and the front bun had been broken and repaired. Their was nothing stamped on it.

The Cap Iron is a Mathieson and is stamped 4 which is the same number on the bed and the blade is a Hildick.

The plane was peined or I guess rivetted and I can't tell what vintage the lever cap was but here is a pic.

I have replaced the front bun and rear tote so this was the original plane as it came to me. The blade was 2 1/8" wide which I thought was kind of weird.

Re: Cast Spier's Infill Pic #1 *LINK*

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>http://www.wdynamic.com/galoots/4images/details.php?image_id=561


Front Bun

Re: Cast Spier's Infill Pic #2  *LINK*

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>


Plane

Doug... Can you tell me more about it?

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>

Re: Cast Spier's Infill Pic #2

WoodburnBob

>Dan, I'm very anxious to hear what an expert says, too. The plane in your photo looks like a late Spiers dovetailed steel plane to me. Indeed, the prior owner appears to have peened a new rear rivet for the creative handle. You've made me very curious. Why again is it that you think this is cast iron?

Re: Cast Spier's Infill Pic #2

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>I removed the front bun and it was all definitely one piece and rounded in the corners.

I am not suggesting the plane is cast iron but rather cast as one piece.

The other Spier's I have shows a hint of dovetailing around the tote.

Dan Clermont

Not suggesting craftsman made...

Jonathan Peck - N.Y.

>...but I believe that castings were available, as well as lever caps, cap irons and adjusters for purchase and were much less expensive than the purchase of a completed plane. I also don't think that it was completely uncommon for foundry workers to make their own castings on their breaks replicating popular makers and build their own infills with some bought parts.

Re: Not suggesting craftsman made...

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Don't know but I bought it from Tony Murland and have to assume he sold me a Spier's not a Craftsman made plane with a SPier's lever cap

Dan Clermont

Sorry...didn't get that part... *LINK*

Jonathan Peck - N.Y.

>...If he says it's Spiers..then Spiers it is. I misinterpreted that the lever cap was stamped Mathieson

Here's a picture of my cast Spiers. It says malleable iron on the toe. when I spoke to Peter Mcbride he thought that I overpaid at south of $500- but then again, infills seem to grow on trees in the land down under. Check inside the side walls to see if the surface is rough or has any evidence from a sand casting. You can also contact fellow galoot Peter, his e-mail address is on his website

http://www.petermcbride.com/oldtools.htm




Click me for larger picture

Re: Sorry...didn't get that part...

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Thanks Jonathan,

It has allot of what Doug Evans mentioned (number on the chipbreaker matching the number on the infill, no name on the front bun.

Doesn't really matter to me but it was supposed to be a User plane although if it is a highly Collectible item I may try and get a Pre War Norris A5/A6 in a trade or soemthing. Don't know.

Dan Clermont

Re: Sorry...didn't get that part...

Cameron

>Looks like a Spiers to me, cast or not. A 2-1/8" wide blade is not that unusual. Spiers made all sizes in 1/8" increments and would, no doubt, have done them in 1/16" increments if you wanted one.