Hand Plane Help

Also take a look at these planes. Are any of these worth buying?
The second-
No. 33 Bench Plane
Ground and polished high carbon steel base and sides
Handsome hardwood handle
Cutter fully adjustable for depth of cut
23° blade angle

The first-
CRAFTSMAN 187.37051 LOW PROFILE KNUCKLE CAP BLOCK PLANE

7 IN LENGTH

I’d say the first is like a #4 ..Both worth something..
The 33 reminds me of one in my collection, but that looks
brand new ? Any brand name ? How much ?

-- Glen, Vernon B.C. Canada

18 dollars for the 33, 22 for the first, and 10 for the third one. Do you think its worth that? Also take another look cause I edited the second post and added another.

that bottom plane looks interesting – unconventional adjustments (which is fine), but the blade looks really thick, which is excellent. the steel body is a little weird though. I’d make sure it was as flat/true as you want it before buying, since you would have a very hard time adjusting that compared to conventional cast iron.

Oh yeah I missed the brand name part of your question racerglen. They are all three craftsman.

If a plane number is #5C does that mean its corrogated? Is that a bad thing if it is?

Interesting..Craftsman on the bottom one as well .. And a 5C isn’t an issue, it just means it has a corugated bottom, like grooves milled in it.
They were made that was as it was thought there was less friction. And they normaly were more expensive.

-- Glen, Vernon B.C. Canada

I lied ha. I thougth the last one was a craftsman but after I looked again I don’t know what it is. What do you think the first one is worth?

To a collector..worth much more than just a plane as it’s got it’s box and instructions there,
but actual value ? I don’t think even one like that’d be too expensive as it’s a Craftsman..now find an old Stanley inthat shape with box and instructions and you’d have tool collector GOLD !

-- Glen, Vernon B.C. Canada

Im not a collector at all I am wanting planes that I can learn with and use. Im trying to find some good used ones as I don’t want to pay what the good new ones cost. I don’t own a singe plane so I am trying to get a few to work with. This one is 22 dollars. Is that to much?

These all appear to be in pretty good shape, so the prices you mentioned are reasonable. Perhaps even a bargain except for the little block plane. Craftsman planes, as mentioned, aren’t particularly valuable, but can be OK “user” tools when sharpened well.

Blake – That little block plane would have the most appeal to me, but I don’t think I’d give that much for any of those planes. I’d avoid the 3rd one you pictured (too shiny! ;). I’m sure the others can be made to work, but I think you’d be better off finding a decent used Bailey, Millers Falls, or Record…and it’s not hard to find functional examples in the same price range you mentioned. Try to avoid getting the economy models. My blog my have some info to help you. Unless you absolutely want a plane in hand right now, I think I’d shop Ebay and some of the free classifieds on wwing forums like LJs to see what’s out there.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Ok thanks scott. I will stay away from them. I will keep my eyes open for the ones that you mentioned. Thank you also ralph for all of your help. I don’t have any planes yet so it won’t hurt me to wait on some good ones.

My guess from that one photo (not a lot of confidence in just one photo) is that the top Craftsman may actually have been made by Stanley. I’m basing that mainly on what I can see of the lateral adjuster.

The last plane is one you can actually buy new from stanley
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=PLANES&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=12-404&SDesc=No.+4+Adjustable+Bench+Plane
But the one in the photo…which is directly from harborfreight site can be had on sale today for $9.95
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/planers/no-33-bench-plane-97544.html

-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com

The problem you run into with some of the Craftsmen planes is the ductile iron bodies are not made well and tend to be very brittle and break (even on their own from warping) That being said to get started and to learn yes these would work. I’m scared by the last one as the 2 screw adjustments would be harder to adjust than the typical Stanley style lateral mechanism. On the whole, I agree with the sentiments there that you can do better without spending a lot on ebay. #4s are a dime a dozen as are block planes. You may have to do some clean up but it will help you learn how the plane works and make you a better user.

-- The Hand Tool School is Open for Business! Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.renaissancewoodworker.com