Planes restored - Because I can. #1: Planes Restored - Because i can.

Throughout my many years of marriage, my wife has constantly dragging me on her antiquing outings. At some point I decided I needed to find a way to make the time useful. One day while looking over my 3 hand planes and knowing they needed serious tune ups, I started doing a little research. I was hooked at that point. I needed more planes, and I started buying and restoring.

Stumbling onto this site I see that I am far from alone. So, since so many have helped me along the way, I figured I’d give a little back. I’ll try to document as I go, and where I’ve been. I often look over my shoulder and chuckle at the mistakes, but like any good Carpenter, I’ve learned to cover my mistakes. One, two, three, four, five…..yep, still got all fingers.

Professionally I work in technology and travel extensively, so time is often limited. Most of this writing will be evenings spent in a hotel, wishing I was in my shop. Hey, next years bonus may mean a Lie-Nielsen.

My shop started in a converted cow barn back when I was trying to make a living at it. Ceilings were to low, concrete was uneven and it was damp almost year round. Last year I finally built my wood shop, so now I have a place to work. My wife has stopped complaining about the time I spend on the computer and replaced it with the time I spend in my shop. Hey, at least I’m suggesting the flee market outings. It’s a win-win.

Here is the current state of my collection:

Some are restored, some are partially restored, and some just cleaned up and sharpened. All are working.

So far I have a few Stanley-Bailey’s, Miller Falls, a Winchester and Craftsman. I’m looking for a 4 1/2 and a #2, but who knows what I will find next. I’m also hoping to stumble onto a 60 1/2 and a 9 1/2.

I haven’t decided whether to keep using the A5. Its in reasonable shape and #5’s are pretty cheap. I may start a “Just for show” set.

I have this week off before starting a new job next monday, but I have 2 projects to finish up. One is a set of drawers for my new bench, and the other is a rolling cart for my mechanics tool box. A new shop has needs you know!

Back to the shop for now.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)