Old hand tools

1/30/05, 5:51 AM #1

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.
Guest

Old hand tools

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>I've been convinced to post this on the "dark side" board, apparently you guys don't bite... :-)

Some years ago, when I was visiting my parents, my father sent me up on the attic of his mechanic's garage to pick up a few things. While up there I found a number of planes, along with a few other old woodworking tools. That's when I found out these were my great-gandfather's, who was a carpenter... Needless to say, I grabbed them all (with my father's blessing, of course).

I've had these tools hanging around in my shop for a few years now, debating what to do with them. On one hand these tools might have some value on the collectible market (they were purchased, not homemade, as they all have some stamping on them); on the other hand, I could never get myself to sell what I consider "heirlooms"...

So I've been thinking of making these planes work again (they haven't been used for probably 70 years). I know this could destroy any potential value they might have as collectibles, but since I have no intent of selling them (they will eventually be passed on to the one of my children most interested in WW), I guess the value thing is pulled out ot the equation...

The planes I have (all wooden) are: a 30" jointer, a specialized plane to plane the handhold on staircase rails, a beading plane, a rabbet plane, and a set of tongue-and-groove planes.

So, should I restore them, or keep them as is?

Any other suggestions?

TIA,

DC

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 12:31 PM #2

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Get them working

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Definitely get them working.Sounds like a real nice find.There are plenty of things to put on shelves and look at.Tools should be used.Or at least useable.It should be fun getting them workable.---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 1:41 PM #3

Richard Gillespie
Guest

Re: Old hand tools

Richard Gillespie

>I agree, clean them up, sharpen, tune and see how they work.

I admit it, I'm a user and proud of it. I don't believe in collecting and putting a tool on display to admire. I'll go to the Smithsonian to admire tools on display. I want all of my tools to be usable. Patina is nothing more than rust and dirt, especially on metal planes, blades and other parts.

Saying that, I haven't got there yet. I've been concentrating on my metal plane collection more than the woodies. I've gotten one wooden coffin smoother to work quite well though.

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 1:53 PM #4

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi
Guest

Re: Old hand tools

Jim Crammond in Monroe, Mi

>Denis,

From your description of the planes, it doesn't sound as if you have any that are extrememly valuable. The makers names on the toe of the planes is really the biggest influence on value. American Wooden Planemakers lists different makers marks and their rarity.

Cleaning the planes gently, sharpening the irons and using them as they were meant to be used does not really detract from their value.

Jim

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 2:26 PM #5

Todd Hughes
Guest

Re: Old hand tools

Todd Hughes

>I think it is a common misconception that cleaning up tools will destroy thier vaule.In most cases this is far from the truth. With a plane a clean example that doesn't look like it was over cleaned could be worth easly 2 to 3 times what it was befor it was cleaned. Hate to break the news but this is true of most antiques but esp. tools since it is really a user driven market. Of course there is cleaning and there is CLEANING! To many the way to restoring a plane is to buff the crap out of it and then apply several coats of paint/ varnish. Not what you want to do. Don't try to make the planes look new but go for a believable but clean tool and you will be all right.......Todd

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 5:04 PM #6

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)
Guest

Re: Old hand tools

Norman (Metcalfe, Ont.)

>Denis,

I worked on a set of chisels recently.

they were my wife's grandfather's chisels, maybe 70 yrs. old.

After a good tune-up, sharpening, honing, they were quiote the sight.

It was a set of imported German-mande chisels from that era.

To see the twinkle in my wife's, her father,and brother's eyes was well worth it. After all, we're talking about faimily heirlooms here :)

I would begin by cleaning, sharpening, honing the blade and cap iron and see if you can get the sole straight and true with minor surfacing..

You might be able to stop there, it will depends on the condition of the mouth..

Chances are the mouth is too wide and irregularly worn though, then maybe a mouth insert or resoling is in order.

This is if you want to go this far to use them. Iif you just want to clean them to place on a shelf, the earlier suggestions are fine.

Norman

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 7:52 PM #7

mike recchione
Guest

Re: Old hand tools

mike recchione

>Hi Denis,

Careful - It was restoring my grandfather's tools that got me started down this slope :-)

What condition are the planes in? If there are no serious cracks, you should be able to get them working as good as new. Mike Dunbar's book "Restoring, Tuning and Using Classic Woodworking Tools" will tell you how to go about it.

Good luck.

Re: Old hand tools

1/30/05, 11:28 PM #8

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.
Guest

Hi Michael!

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>I guess they're not in too bad a shape, few if any cracks in the wood, and the iron parts have surface rust (I don't think it goes deeper, but I haven't checked carefully).

I don't have the time right now, but I'll post pictures soon...

DC

Old hand tools

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