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hand plane group therapy (my journey into it)

13K views 73 replies 27 participants last post by  jacob34 
#1 ·
tools + eBay + me = dog house

I want to be completely honest starting this series by standing up and saying hi my name is Jacob and I am addicted to tools, I also am a collector or pack rat who loves to gamble. This being said I wrote a blog recently to admit I have fallen into the group who embraces hand planes I have seen several videos and read articles that convinced me that both to be a true woodworker one must one at least one and two that they are a essential tool to use whether with power tools or hand tools. I as a person who follows this website saw several people mention the abundance of hand planes on eBay and decided to go look, BAD IDEA, as a gambler I enjoy the biding and waiting to see how it plays out on an item. I also tend to look at all the information when beginning something such as working with hand planes and decided I needed multiple planes, this fed my collecting side as well.

I have in the few day since embracing hand planes purchased or "won" on eBay several hand planes. A Stanley block plane (vintage of course), a Stanley 5 1/2, a Ohio tool co. block plane, Hsb and Co. plane, Norvelle Shapleigh Hardware Co. Diamond Edge plane and most recently a Stanley jack 5 1/4 plane while also be at the moment the highest bidder on a Stanley No. 7 smooth base plane 22", and )VINTAGE) STANLEY NO. 78 RABBET plane. In my defense I am pretty sure after all have been cleaned up and fixed if necessary they will accomplish the needs I envisioned when I purchased them.

This is a sentiment not shared by my wife, she seems to think maybe I have gone overboard and is while not looking for a knife is not wanting cuddle time. So this series will either end up with a hopefully nice collection of hand planes that improve my end product in my woodshop or me looking to see if anyone needs a roommate. Keep your fingers crossed either way. On a side note what are some of the things one should look for when buying planes online to avoid things like planes that are not fixable or parts that are more difficult to procure.

Thanks for reading.
 
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#2 ·
I love it! You start with w/the problem…and end up with buying advice. It sounds terminal. : )

I would watch out for damaged mouths. Try to buy w/rosewood that is in good condition. The totes/knobs can sell for more than the plane itself. Some meat on the iron is nice. Plus I would also lean to the keyhole shaped levercap vs the kidney shape. Oh, and I seem to like the SW stanleyd too.

Good luck, you will need it. There is no known cure.
 
#3 ·
Hi Jacob, my name is Martin and I'm addicted to tools, LOL. I share the same passion/obsession, as a lot of us on here do, what keeps me out of the dog house, is when I spend time in the shop with my daughter. As for hand planes, I own only two, one was given to me by my uncle 15 years ago, the other I purchased when I first started woodworking 26+ years ago. My uncles was in bad shape and I restored it after a few years of fighting with, I just decided I spend more time fixing this than using it. Both of mine are Stanley's flat bottom and grooved bottom, and you are correct essential for wood working, I have a power hand plane I have used twice but I use on of the hand ones on almost every project.

For advice, I am not sure what to look out for, I know with the planer from my uncle had a broken plastic handle, that I replaced with one I made out of oak. Blades as long as they are sharp will last a very long time, the most difficult part is keeping the correct angle when sharpening, ( build a jig that's what I did).

Good luck with your obsession, tell your wife you restoring them so you can sell them one day to pay for the kids college, by then she might forget and your collection will remain with you :)
 
#4 ·
This is why I completely ignore and skip ebay. Although I can remember the day I was contemplating a number 6 at the antique store and the wife tried to remind me that that magazine article (FWW) said I only needed 3. I also remember there was eye rolling as well. Good luck, just remember, once you hit a certain number she'll never notice the occasional addition.
 
#6 ·
Hi Jacob,
Have a nice trip as you go.
I began this travel myself a little over two years ago, and I have enjoyed every step of the way.
Mostly because of knowledge and the smell of the shaves produced by the planes, the gambler in me is not so big, but yes I spend so much more time on E-bay than I should in the hunt for the planes I 'needed'.
It's a slippery road, and I really do not want to know or think about the money I have spent on my plane collection now, but to be honest I think they are all worth it.
I started out with some old wooden planes and a no four as I remember, and then it just took off, first all the Stanley's, then wooden, then special planes and of course German, Danish, French ohhh yes and latest is a collection of Japanese planes and tools, so yes the road is slippery and honestly we do only need 3-6 planes, so the choice is just: collect / use, but I do not think I meet someone yet who could really stay on that use road alone, once we get into woodworking the fascination of the tools, the patina and story in the vintage tools and the joy of making an old plane run smooth and sharpen it to perfection is way too big to be overseen.
My advice is to buy the basic set and let this include a good shoulder plane, then spend a heavy amount on sharpening gear, water stones or diamonds is the way, after this the road is open, just never tell your wife what you really spend, then you will only need a good lawyer.
Have a nice trip - best thoughts,
Mads
 
#7 ·
Hey Jacob. My name is Tim. Welcome to the addiction.

You have some good advice above, so I am not going to add much. Do a little reasearch to understand the approximate age of some planes. There are some great websites available for Old Tools, Stanley, Record, and many specific manufactures. Google is very helpful in this regard.

Also, I have purchased a couple planes from ebay, but have had better luck with local estate sales and swap meets. The benefit of a local sale is I can hold the plane and get a closer look to check for damage.

By the way, a damaged plane is not necessarily a bad buy. I have bought broken planes the pulled parts for sale on ebay for significant profit. Selling some thing along and have some money in my paypal account helps soften the "wrath" when I do go ebay shopping.
 
#8 ·
I want to be completely honest starting this series by standing up and saying hi my name is Perry and I am addicted to tools, I also am a collector or pack rat. Several years ago I spent thousands of dollars on ebay. I am proud to say it has been 2 years now and I haven't bought a single item from ebay. I still look to see what the prices are doing. My passion with hand planes started because I wanted 1 of every stanley plane made.(At that time I did not know they made hundreds of different plane. As I started I quickly realized the high end ones are NOT for me (I don't have that kind of money). I justified continue to buy all planes at yard sales and flea markets because I dreamt of opening a shop called "SIMPLE & PLANE" specializing in old tools. (TO DATE that dream is not happening yet either.) I am enjoying what I do, I just have to control my spending, (I believe I am doing that as well, but their are times it is tempting. Just testerday I bought a old TABLE SAW - JOINTER combination for $20. For $20 I could have bought a case of beer (I don't drink anymore) and just pee'd it away, waking up in morning with nothing OR buy the saw and have a heavy piece of cast iron in my shop…........
 
#9 ·
I can go ahead and throw my hat in the ring for being obsessed with tools! I have the sane problem with my wife as well. I found it's just easier to send stuff to my work and sneak it into the garage. She never asks, "where did you get that from." she has no clue what tools are new and which I've had or inherited from my dad and grandad. So if she ever asks, I found it in the attic. You're not committing a cardinal sin and as long as your tool habit isn't causing hardship in the marriage like "you've spent all our money on tools and we can't afford groceries this week!" type hardship, then what she doesn't know, won't kill her. It's ashame our wives aren't more supportive of our hobbies because we could be out at the strip club with our friends getting wasted and gambling our money away and instead we are 15 feet away in our shop making things for the house instead.
 
#10 ·
I want to thank all who have come to support me and my addiction. I think we have all taken a step forward here. Shane I must admit that while I admit I have a problem I honestly have no desire to fix it I have always been pulled toward tools no matter what they are.

Marty I like your thinking except I have already tried that with my wife and she wasn't buying it she knows me to well.

derosa, I have been there oh am there with ya, I haven't hit the flea markets and antiques yet but pretty sure I will. As for eBay I have decided to only search when looking for a specific tool.

Mosquito my wife and i have our routines set and don't hide anything plus I love showing her new tools.

mafe, I never thought of foreign hand planes man now I am even more excited hmm wonder what a safe waiting period is to bring this to the honey.

Trblu I completely agree I can't get to estate sales or swap meets much with coaching my kids sports and family time but I would love to, and I am looking for older planes that need assistance I like the connection it gives me when they are fixed.

canadian I think your store idea is cool, I am not cured enough to think I could wait two years to buy off eBay although I did promise my wife that other than wood for projects I have already told her I would do I will not spend money on tools or my shop.

BerBer I completely see where your coming from tools after essentials although I have tried on occasion to explain to my wife that tools are essential. She comes into the work shop a lot as the kids follow me down into it and her rabbit is in there so hiding tools as well as not my style is also difficult at best.
 
#11 ·
Jacob,

My name is Dwain, and I am also an addict. I have purchased about 20 planes before finally settling on type 11 corrogated Stanley Baileys. Now I have numbers 3 - 8, including the 4.5 and the 5.5. I hope to find a 2 someday, but figure that won't happen. Now that I have scratched that itch, it is on to the LN and LV's of the world. I am currently saving for the LV Bevel Up Smoother and Jack, as well as Veritas Router and Medium Shoulder planes.

I have shared my addiction with my wife and have an understand that I will purchase no more than two or three a year. We will see how that works out.

Anyway, I love your post and am supportive of your plight. Stay strong, and spend more time working with your planes. That may (and I mean MAY) help slow down your need to buy more.

At the very least, it's good to have hope.

Dwain
 
#12 ·
Jacob, im Chris and also an addict. It started with the pasing of my grandfather and the eventual clean out of his basement. Im now addicted to rust, especially rusty planes. Not much of a gambler, so for me, its the hunt. Im a tag sale kinda guy. I look for the ones out in the woods, off the beaten path, you can keep your old baby items and glasswares, i want corrosion, i want the smell of dirty pennies and stale hay emminating from an old barn. I wont ever pay top dollar, ive got a $25 limit which tempers my spending habits. Yesterday i scored a breadmaker for $5, basically brand new with the instructions. Sears has it for $103 on line. Great success.

A fitting tune:
 
#14 ·
Jacob, if there is a club for the addicts, I would easily make president, ceo and chief gunk remover. I have more planes than I can count. Thats because I find places to ''store'' them and forget they are there until I look for something else. But, the bottom line is if done correctly its an investment. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
 
#15 ·
galu gala the first hand plane is here today

Wood Toy Electric blue Composite material Art


Wood Automotive exterior Rectangle Bumper Tool


Wood Gas Electric blue Recreation Hardwood


Wood Gas Electric blue Circle Metal


My first hand plane has arrived I am in hog heaven, it seems to be in pretty good shape although I am not by any means an expert. The blade seems thin I don't know maybe it is just me it is honestly the first time holding one in my hands old or new. I tried it a few times with the knowledge that I have not sharped it the bottom is flat and with that being said made some shaving. I also won my last eBay bid I had started, got it for .99 well with shipping of coarse.

Wood Bumper Hand tool Automotive exterior Artifact


It is in pretty rough shape and after looking online I am pretty sure it is missing a piece off the side. But I really liked it and am stoked about the idea of cleaning it up and getting the missing piece. I will post in the next few days as the four other shipments should come in soon although of course the one I wanted to show up first has just shipped today.
 

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#16 ·
galu gala the first hand plane is here today

Wood Toy Electric blue Composite material Art


Wood Automotive exterior Rectangle Bumper Tool


Wood Gas Electric blue Recreation Hardwood


Wood Gas Electric blue Circle Metal


My first hand plane has arrived I am in hog heaven, it seems to be in pretty good shape although I am not by any means an expert. The blade seems thin I don't know maybe it is just me it is honestly the first time holding one in my hands old or new. I tried it a few times with the knowledge that I have not sharped it the bottom is flat and with that being said made some shaving. I also won my last eBay bid I had started, got it for .99 well with shipping of coarse.

Wood Bumper Hand tool Automotive exterior Artifact


It is in pretty rough shape and after looking online I am pretty sure it is missing a piece off the side. But I really liked it and am stoked about the idea of cleaning it up and getting the missing piece. I will post in the next few days as the four other shipments should come in soon although of course the one I wanted to show up first has just shipped today.
That #78 looks pretty sweet but you are missing the fence for it, theyre pretty well available so im sure youll find one soon enough. There should also be a little "nicker" on the side Next order of business is to grease the wife, a project just for her, tends to keep mine happy.
 

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#17 ·
galu gala the first hand plane is here today

Wood Toy Electric blue Composite material Art


Wood Automotive exterior Rectangle Bumper Tool


Wood Gas Electric blue Recreation Hardwood


Wood Gas Electric blue Circle Metal


My first hand plane has arrived I am in hog heaven, it seems to be in pretty good shape although I am not by any means an expert. The blade seems thin I don't know maybe it is just me it is honestly the first time holding one in my hands old or new. I tried it a few times with the knowledge that I have not sharped it the bottom is flat and with that being said made some shaving. I also won my last eBay bid I had started, got it for .99 well with shipping of coarse.

Wood Bumper Hand tool Automotive exterior Artifact


It is in pretty rough shape and after looking online I am pretty sure it is missing a piece off the side. But I really liked it and am stoked about the idea of cleaning it up and getting the missing piece. I will post in the next few days as the four other shipments should come in soon although of course the one I wanted to show up first has just shipped today.
Sweet 78. Look here for a fence. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rabbetplanefencekit.aspx
 

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#31 ·
ah the second batch

the second batch of eBay hand planes have arrived just waiting on the Stanley 5 1/4 jack plane and the Stanley No. 78 which I did bid on and am in the lead for getting one for parts that has the guide and depth gauge.

Wood Table Outdoor shoe Hardwood Carmine

Wood Hardwood Wood stain Tool Plywood


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Metal


Wood Art Automotive design Sculpture Artifact


Automotive exterior Wood Bumper Hardwood Auto part


they need some work one is missing a screw in the handle and one has a bad handle.
 

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#32 ·
ah the second batch

the second batch of eBay hand planes have arrived just waiting on the Stanley 5 1/4 jack plane and the Stanley No. 78 which I did bid on and am in the lead for getting one for parts that has the guide and depth gauge.

Wood Table Outdoor shoe Hardwood Carmine

Wood Hardwood Wood stain Tool Plywood


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Metal


Wood Art Automotive design Sculpture Artifact


Automotive exterior Wood Bumper Hardwood Auto part


they need some work one is missing a screw in the handle and one has a bad handle.
niiice !
look forward to see them restored and making curls in future projectbuilds :)
congrats with the new toys

Dennis
 

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#35 ·
sitting with the niece and coffee

I am sitting with my 6 month niece and drinking coffee my 4 year old sitting here as well and I mentioned talking to myself hmm which hand plane should I fix up first. My niece says gurgle gurgle burp which I am pretty sure means the small block plane as it looks to be the quickest and a lot of people have said it will be the most used. But my 4 year old says the big one, which is a wooden bench plane and I have no idea of the complete process on that one although I did read that you don't sand them. I am kinda leaning toward either the Stanley 5 1/2 smoother or the 5 1/4 jack plane (which has yet to show up).

I am looking for advice wooden plane, easier block plane or a Stanley? I am excited to work on one and doing research to make sure that I don't make more work for myself than needed or mess up the plane. Any suggestions for where to for steps? I saw someone mention a book about reclaiming flea market hand tools.

I am also excited that in the next few days my no. 78 and 5 1/4 jack plane will arrive.
 
#36 ·
Id say if its your first restore start on the one in the roughest shape that will be used the least. This way is your screw somethin up no big deal. I highly doubt something will get screwed up but theres always that chance. Ive heard #8 frogs like to jump off tables, just ask Bertha. By starting with the one in the worst shape the rest will seem easy. Are you going the evaporust route for rust removal?
 
#51 ·
the last two arrive He He at least for now

Bumper Automotive exterior Auto part Fashion accessory Metal


Auto part Fashion accessory Composite material Electric blue Handgun holster


Plane Smoothing plane Scrub plane Composite material Rebate plane


Tool Composite material Automotive exterior Household hardware Auto part


the Stanley no.78 and Stanley sweetheart 5 1/4 jack plane came in. It is finally time to decide with one and dive in to cleaning up, and getten er done.
You need a fence and depth stop for the 78, but it looks to be in decent shape. The 5 1/4 looks like that should clean up really nice. You realize this is only the beginning of a nasty addiction, right?? :))
 

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#56 ·
With help from group therapy router be!!

So I need to give a shout out to Dallas, Big yin, and Sylvain ( sorry if I spelled wrong) for this installment of my hand plane group therapy session. I posted a forum on router planes purely out of curiosity as I really did not know much about them. The before mentioned jocks pointed out the ease of building one and pointed me in the right direction. I have built my first and while it did not turn out exactly as I wanted ( mostly my skill level and lack of patients ) it is functioning and gave me a smile. I did have a stumbling block though as I tried to make one first out of hard maple, I drilled a hole threw for my set screw and drill larger on the inside for the nut. It went prefect the nut set in nicely and the set screw was snug in the hole then I realized I was so proud that I had not left enough material for the router blade to be drilled and set.

Needless to say the functioning model which still needs finish has been built in pine and was planned more before drilling. I ended up still messing up a little, I have well over a hundred allen wrenches from working on davenports which why this project struck me as a great idea combined with giving me another tool and shop time. Anyway I drill the whole a little big so as to leave room for the larger allens which made the one I sharpened a little sloppy, I will just sharpen a larger allen wrench.
Wood Hardwood Lumber Plywood Flooring


Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Table


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Flooring Floor Lamp Hardwood


Oh and yeah I like the longer handles so I decided to put those on. I will probably need a couple screws in the handle on top as it is just glued maybe not.
 

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#57 ·
With help from group therapy router be!!

So I need to give a shout out to Dallas, Big yin, and Sylvain ( sorry if I spelled wrong) for this installment of my hand plane group therapy session. I posted a forum on router planes purely out of curiosity as I really did not know much about them. The before mentioned jocks pointed out the ease of building one and pointed me in the right direction. I have built my first and while it did not turn out exactly as I wanted ( mostly my skill level and lack of patients ) it is functioning and gave me a smile. I did have a stumbling block though as I tried to make one first out of hard maple, I drilled a hole threw for my set screw and drill larger on the inside for the nut. It went prefect the nut set in nicely and the set screw was snug in the hole then I realized I was so proud that I had not left enough material for the router blade to be drilled and set.

Needless to say the functioning model which still needs finish has been built in pine and was planned more before drilling. I ended up still messing up a little, I have well over a hundred allen wrenches from working on davenports which why this project struck me as a great idea combined with giving me another tool and shop time. Anyway I drill the whole a little big so as to leave room for the larger allens which made the one I sharpened a little sloppy, I will just sharpen a larger allen wrench.
Wood Hardwood Lumber Plywood Flooring


Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Table


Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Flooring Floor Lamp Hardwood


Oh and yeah I like the longer handles so I decided to put those on. I will probably need a couple screws in the handle on top as it is just glued maybe not.
Off to a good start. What's next? krenov smoother? Jointer, jack
 

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#65 ·
ok I give block planes are nice to have.

So when I started down this hand plane road I will admit I did not have any idea what I was doing. I purchased hand planes on E Bay with the opinion that I could figure it out as I go, kinda a shot gun approach if you will. This resulted in some purchased that I fell in love with such as a 5 1/4 bench plane that honestly at this point is used more as a smooth plane than a fore plane. I also though bought a block plane well a few, okay, okay I bought like five but they were all different quality of a less than great design. I am sure all of you who have hand planes know the one I am talking about. I hate them, I am sure they are functional and I have three or four I would part with if you do. It is so bad that my ex father inn law gave me one of the a few months ago and we are not buddies so there you go.

Anyway to move the blog back to a conversation versus a rant, I finally decided to give the block plane another try and focused on A. better quality and B. I wanted a variable mouth. I decided not to go with low angle although I know many people online and probably if I knew any woodworkers in person would recommend them. I found and purchased to block planes a Millers falls and a craftsman.
Plane Scrub plane Block plane Rebate plane Wood


Bumper Auto part Wood Automotive exterior Gas


I was happy to find that they were easy to use and functioned rather well, I apologize to all those who said that the block plane was essential for I doubted. I have used them on several projects and am convinced.

On a second thought with hand planes, I have found myself buying planes for the purpose of just collecting with no desire to use them on a project. While looking for a certain plane, I forget which one, found a Stanley A6. I was floored that is kinda cool, not something I want to use at my bench but very cool. As always Hi I am Jacob and I am addicted to hand planes.
 

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#66 ·
ok I give block planes are nice to have.

So when I started down this hand plane road I will admit I did not have any idea what I was doing. I purchased hand planes on E Bay with the opinion that I could figure it out as I go, kinda a shot gun approach if you will. This resulted in some purchased that I fell in love with such as a 5 1/4 bench plane that honestly at this point is used more as a smooth plane than a fore plane. I also though bought a block plane well a few, okay, okay I bought like five but they were all different quality of a less than great design. I am sure all of you who have hand planes know the one I am talking about. I hate them, I am sure they are functional and I have three or four I would part with if you do. It is so bad that my ex father inn law gave me one of the a few months ago and we are not buddies so there you go.

Anyway to move the blog back to a conversation versus a rant, I finally decided to give the block plane another try and focused on A. better quality and B. I wanted a variable mouth. I decided not to go with low angle although I know many people online and probably if I knew any woodworkers in person would recommend them. I found and purchased to block planes a Millers falls and a craftsman.
Plane Scrub plane Block plane Rebate plane Wood


Bumper Auto part Wood Automotive exterior Gas


I was happy to find that they were easy to use and functioned rather well, I apologize to all those who said that the block plane was essential for I doubted. I have used them on several projects and am convinced.

On a second thought with hand planes, I have found myself buying planes for the purpose of just collecting with no desire to use them on a project. While looking for a certain plane, I forget which one, found a Stanley A6. I was floored that is kinda cool, not something I want to use at my bench but very cool. As always Hi I am Jacob and I am addicted to hand planes.
addicting little critters ain't they?
 

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