favorites 2004 (11 pics)
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>I enjoy looking at pictures of tools; some to laugh at, and some to wish I had, but mostly I just like tools. A �Favorites of 2004" thread was started below, but I wanted to get some pics for you to laugh at so it took me a few days to procrastinate before finally getting a roundtuit. I made the files fairly small size so they should upload rapidly; I would like to know if they don�t come across well.
Below are two pics of my best plane find in 2004, a type 11 #4-1/2 in very nice condition; not cleaned at all. I first saw this plane at an auction, and waited for 3 or 4 hours for it to come up. I had thirty dollars to spend without raising a ruckus at home, and had bought lots of planes for a lot less than that at auctions and figured I�d have it. I ended up bidding up to $50 and it sold for $55. I figured that was that, and went home slightly disappointed, thinking I should have just kept bidding and quit eating for a few weeks. The following Saturday my whole family went to a swap meet, mostly animals but a few tool dealers. I could not believe my eyes; there it was, the exact same plane. He said he had told another guy $90 for it, and the guy laughed at him and walked away; I could have it for $70. I said it was a really nice plane and walked away. I couldn�t resist it though; I had never payed that much for a plane before, and Megan thought I had completely lost my mind; but it�s a very nice plane, in as found condition. It has slight defects, but very nice overall. My favorite plane.
Below is a #112 scraper I picked up at a local steam show; as you can see, the wind resistance has been cut down considerably by the former owner, who drilled three holes in each side, I believe as an owners mark. It also has three very small notches filed on each cheek. This is one of the Hock irons I got myself for Christmas; I sharpened it and put a burr on, and it performs extremely well. I don�t think you can get a better iron than Hock makes. There are equals, but none better in my opinion.
Here is the A45 that Megan found for me. I paid $20 for it at an antique mall, after Megan asked if it was worth getting. Pete Neiderberger told me I could probably get $300 for the parts, but I think that might be stretching it.
Below is the #603 off ebay for $61. It was rusty, and I thought it would clean up better than it is so far; there are very light pits in the sides and lever cap, but a very nice plane overall, with more than 85% japanning. It has one of my Christmas Hock irons in it now, but needs sharpening yet.
Below is the Japanese plane my wife�s uncle bought for me on his trip to Japan. Not made by one of the famous masters, but a neat plane, with all the instructions in japanese on the side. The wood and opening appears to be hand planed and cut; a neat little plane, and I�ll think of Bill every time I look at it.
Below is the marking knife iron I got as part of my Christmas Hock spree; I put a cocobolo handle on it after sharpening it. It works extremely well, my first real marking knife. I plan on getting one from Dave Anderson as well to have both a small and large.
Below is one of the 14 post drill bits I got at an auction on December 29th. About 11 of the fourteen are probably in this shape; they are mostly in the original unopened packages; a few had the package opened and got soaked and therefore rusted badly in spots, but I think a pretty good deal at $2 for 14. They probably cost more than that new ;)
Every shop needs a good chair, and I found this one at an auction this summer; I had to pay $15 for it, and then fix the back spindle with a new wedge and cut the legs to set flat on the floor, but it is definitely one of my favorite finds of the year. I can set in it and contemplate a glue up before going into action.
One of the best times in my life were the three days I spent fishing for salmon with my dad on the Manistee at the end of September; here is a pic of my dad with a fish on.
This was a pretty good year in tools for me. At the start of the year, I only had three or four boxes in my little box collection, and now that area of my desk is full. I started putting some of my planes that I don�t use on my desk top as well, and also put my Badger Pond mug into retirement as I am afraid to break it. It will still be used for special occasions, but mostly just sets there reminding me of good times of the past and the great people I have met due to a love of woodworking.
