I’m involved in top secret negotiations. I could give you the full details, but then I’d have to… well, you know…
My source inside the steamy underbelly of the woodworking world turned me on to a secret cache that could have international significance. I reached out to the treasure’s keeper through an encrypted channel late last night and the response was immediate. We began tense negotiations that continue today, as I await visual confirmation of the intelligence. It’s a touch and go situation inside a dimly lit, smoke filled room and everything is at stake. If negotiations succeed, the Stumpy Nubs workshop will be changed forever.
All I can tell you is this: I found a guy on with a set of 18 rare molding planes. I want them.
Why do I want molding planes? I own several routers and a pile of bits. When I have some profiles to cut, it’s vastly more efficient to buy a bit and run the stock through. Do I really see myself giving up decades of woodworking progress and returning to the tedium of the old ways?
Yes, and no… You see, I love my routers. I spend hours just sitting in my chair imagining new ways to put those workshop workhorses to work. But, have you ever tried to find an authentic, vintage profile bit at your local Home Depot? Modern furniture may be all about half rounds and ogees (is that pronounced “O-Ge” or “O-Gee”?), but the styles of the past were much more complex. And many of those stunningly beautiful profiles have been given up for the sake of mass production and standardized designs. Sure, you can have any profile made on a custom router bit. But you’d better mortgage the shop if you plan on getting more than one or two!
And there’s something to be said about cutting those profiles by hand instead of machine. For one thing, there is nothing in this world, I kid you not, like the sweet sound of a molding plane on hardwood. If you can listen to that sound, and feel the wood curl out the top and onto your hand as you run the edge without getting goose pimples, you have no soul.
But, I’ve said too much… It’s back to the negotiating table to see if this cache of woodworking history can become mine… I’ll keep you updated.
This message will self destruct if you don’t check out the Blue Collar Woodworking show!
-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com
13 comments so far
boxcarmarty
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6508 posts in 532 days
#1 posted 436 days ago
-- My mind is like lighting, one brilliant flash, then its gone.....
Gabe C.
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288 posts in 513 days
#2 posted 436 days ago
“If you are captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions…”
-- If I could just get this whole "Time/Money" problem figured out...
DIYaholic
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7333 posts in 847 days
#3 posted 436 days ago
Smoked filled room??? Smells like wood burning, I’z thunks a sharpening session is called for!!!
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow!
Joe Lyddon
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6397 posts in 2224 days
#4 posted 436 days ago
I am still thinking about whether I should comment on such a Secret Mission…
... I don’t want to “Blow” your cover… :)
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Tom Regnier
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56 posts in 719 days
#5 posted 436 days ago
For one thing, there is nothing in this world, I kid you not, like the sweet sound of a molding plane on hardwood. If you can listen to that sound, and feel the wood curl out the top and onto your hand as you run the edge without getting goose pimples, you have no soul.
Amen!
-- Rome wasn't built in a day..... it just looks that way!
DYankee
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2785 posts in 734 days
#6 posted 436 days ago
Plane-ly these are a must have, but “smoke filled rooms” are so passe, now a days secret negotiators meet at a local well lite Starbucks.
-- Shameless - Winner of two Stumpy Nubs Awards
Dave
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9205 posts in 1012 days
#7 posted 436 days ago
Where are these planes? Tell me the location and I’ll retrieve them for you.hahahahahahahah
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
crashn
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510 posts in 637 days
#8 posted 436 days ago
The sound is to die for. I’m still new at woodworking, but having collected and re-habed a few old planes, I spent the entire day once taking cutoff maple stock and making whisper thin shavings. The sound, the feel, the curly shavings had me in a trance. The next day, my muscles were sore, but I yearned for more. I did it again, and again.
-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes
DIYaholic
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7333 posts in 847 days
#9 posted 436 days ago
crashn,
You’re addicted. You have joined the dark side. That is why all my tools plug in!! The magnetic fields help in avoiding the evil forces. Whatever you do, DON”T listen to SuperDave!!! He is not quite right. Lol.
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow!
crashn
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510 posts in 637 days
#10 posted 436 days ago
Not sure which one I like more, the sound of the hand plane or the raw power of plug in tools. I know one thing for sure, I hate the sound of painting!
-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes
Smitty_Cabinetshop
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6411 posts in 790 days
#11 posted 436 days ago
Insanely wanting a secret stash of my own to negotiate for…
-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive
boxcarmarty
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6508 posts in 532 days
#12 posted 436 days ago
I just happen to be on another hand tool mission this weekend. It is so top secret, I’m not even telling myself.
-- My mind is like lighting, one brilliant flash, then its gone.....
Roger
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9206 posts in 976 days
#13 posted 436 days ago
lookin forward to seein, mission accomplished
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
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