Problem with buying planes

Re: Problem with buying planes

David Linnabary

>Could be worse, lots of people do that with cars.

Of late I've been purging some of my less expensive duplicate tools to make up kits for my son and nephews. Recently I set up a friend's son for riving stock to make a traditional bow, watching him get excited about his work has been more than worth the price of admission. :)

David

Just admit you have a problem.

Peter L Berglund in Denver

>Ernie -

Shore up the sagging shelf, then admit that you're powerless over planes...

Peter, saying start likin' what you can't change...

Re: Problem with buying planes

David Miller from Iowa

>I have the same problem, and it has gotten so bad that I have boxes full of bench planes, both tuned and as found. But hey, its better than complusive gambling or something - at least the kids will get a financial bump when they put them on eBay after they read the will.

Offer to Help

Gerry Doll

>As a neophyte, struggling in vain to avoid the slippery slope, I will be more than willing to assist you in your current endeavor to save your sagging shelf. As I am currently in need of a decent jack, I will graciously offer to accept some of the weight, thereby reducing the stress upon your poor shevles. (Assuming the weight is properly fettled.)

Gerry,

whose bench is currently covered in disassembled planes awaiting tuning.

I was going to suggest...

Mike L

>...something similar to Ernie. There are plenty of newcomers who would be delighted to find planes that are ready-to-go (i.e. iron already sharp) and would probably pay a small premium for such a luxury.

Cheers,

Mike

Re: I recognize this problem

Kevin French, Antrim, NH

>Only mine is with hardware. I have more hardware then I can use in two lifetimes but I keep picking up more.

Nus, Bolts, Screws, Hinges... it doesn't matter. Today it was Shutter Hardware, window locks and a set of metal caster wheels.

You still sick Ernie...?

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Or at least still running a fever...

You said "I don't have or need a #4. I have a #3 and #4 1/2 I can skip sizes right?"

No! Get back to bed till your well!

No sizes will be skipped! Ditch a five (or 2 or 3) and keep the 4.

Re: Problem with buying planes

Roy from Cincy

>There is a twelve step program for this. Step no. 2 or 3 is wrap up all your planes and ship them to me.

Just trying to help.

Re: You still sick Ernie...?

Ernie Miller *Topeka

>no realy why keep one? It seems like the ones I find are to nice for my shop and I allways take the money and run. I have grandpa's #3 and this beater #4 1/2 with the custom tote that fits my hand and there is the home made infill of a #4 size and a couple steve knight smoothers. I can't see a real reason for a #4 just makes no sense. I might keep this one as it is a Sargent and they don't bring any real $ and at $2.00 i'm not out any thing if I keep it. but it is to nice for my shop of miss fit tools. All I care about is how well they work. if I have two that work the same I sell the best and keep the other for myself. I'm not a flash kind of guy.

Re: I recognize this problem

Ernie Miller *Topeka

>another problem I can relate to I have built two apathacary chest just for hardware one has 25 drawers with 5 deviders in each drawer and the other is 48 drawers. I recently decided to start building cases that hold them disposable 4X6 glad containers for them odd tools that show up in the bottom of boxes. drill bits taps/dies can openers cork screws. you know what I am talking about.

Fetteling?

Ernie Miller *Topeka

>all I usualy do is 1st use the plane just like it is. then take apart and clean lightly. then sharpen the blade and check the cap iron for fit assimble and use again. if there is rust or nasty dirt on the sole I will quickly lap to make it look good but won't get carried away put it together and use if it dosent work thow it up for sale. to many good ones to mess with a bad one.

Guess your feeling better...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>It all makes sense to me know. You have an arsenal of smoothers all ready...

Your problem isn't buying planes, its using them.

Angus Barclay, in New Zealand

>Sounds to me like you have no problem at all buying planes but you may have 2 other problems:

1 - building shelves stong enough to not sag under an entirely reasonable load of planes.

2 - using the planes that you buy.

The first problem is best solved by good design and woodworking technique. A sizeable "lip" or false edge on the front of the shelf will prevent sag and may also help prevent suicidal planes from throwing themselves on the floor to escape their crowded housing conditions.

The second problem is more difficult and faces many of us, even paupers like me with only 16 planes in my arsenal. It can be solved by shipping planes to me. I promise to give your refugees a good home and, being a generous chap, I'll even accept deliveries of planes with the aforementioned suicidal tendencies.

regards

Angus Barclay

STOP Gerry

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in Florida Exile

>do not get to many planes disassembled at one time as the parts tend to get confused as to which plane they belong to. Only way to do this is to have boxes to put the individual bits and pieces of each plane into.

Best to do one at a time tho, at least that's been my experiance.

Todd O.

Re: STOP Gerry

Ernie Miller *Topeka

>Oh no! now you tell me! I'm in the process of building about 4 planes and they are all piled on one shelf. maybe that is why none of them are finished I keep trying to use the wrong peices.

Do I sense collectors in our midst?

Gerry Doll

>

Maybe that's why the #78 iron won't fit in the #4

Gerry Doll

>

I call them accumulators....

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>I'm one too, since I accumulate tools all the time...

:)

Re: I call them accumulators....

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in Florida Exile

>Chris,

that is pretty muych what I call myself these days as well. I had been trying to fiqure out just where I fit into the old tool world so I am ever greatful for Todd H. for the post in which I was first exposed to the term "Accumulator". He said that most folks are accumulators and not collectors, and that is exactly where I fit in. I have absolutely no problems with collectors and am actually thankful that they exsist as they actually do help in the preservation of old tools IMO.

Since I'm at it, I'd also like to thank Ernie for introducing me to the term "Bottom Feeder" as it sounds so much better than "cheap bass-ted". ;~)

I read a post one time on what forum I forget where the poster couldn't fiqure out if he worked wood to justify his old tool addiction, or if because he liked to work wood.

I have concluded that I am definately a user who appriciates well made and designed old tools. It amazes me to no end the zillions of designs that had been made in days of gone past.

Todd O.