LumberJocks

Bridge City tools

« back to Woodworking Tools, Hardware and Accessories forum

Forum topic by Betsy posted 263 days ago 384 views 0 times favorited 7 replies Add to Favorites
View Betsy's profile

Betsy

1854 posts in 424 days


263 days ago

Do any of you have Bridge City tools? I was looking at this: http://www.bridgecitytools.com/pages_framework/frameset_stage.asp?primary=0&secondary=3&tertiary=-1

Multi tool in one kind of plane. Was not sure what people would think about it. Is it quality or one tool trying to do to many things.

Would like your thoughts.

Thanks

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

8541 posts in 516 days


263 days ago

You know, I’ve heard of them, but I don’t remember where, Sorry.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

3409 posts in 490 days


263 days ago

I’ve looked at the website and seen them on E-Bay. I’m sure they are great tools but beyond my means.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

View Harold's profile

Harold

294 posts in 376 days


263 days ago

Hello Betsy, The Bridge City planes are absolutely beautiful and machined perfectly, and the price reflects this. They really are incredible instruments, unfortunately for me it is difficult to justify the price. I do think they are worth every penny, it’s just that is a whole lot of pennies. I have a 3 Lee Valley’s, a couple Stanleys and an old fluted Bailey, but most of my planes are just simple shop creations that work well regardless of how rough they look around the edges. But I still “windows” shop, and I always end up on the bridge city site.
If you decide to go with the BC planes you will have to give us a review. Keep in mind the Multi plane you are looking at is very small(almost luthier type small).

-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.

View Tom Adamski's profile

Tom Adamski

225 posts in 299 days


263 days ago

Hi Betsy,
I have seen and had the chance to use them once and as you can expect, they work very well. IMHO I found them a little too clunky and did not fit my hands well. Not to forget, the price (even for used) is not justified. I use Lie-Nielsen tools and most will consider them pricey, but you truly get what you pay for. A superbly crafted plane from the finest materials that is based closely to historicaly proven designs. (Oh, and made in the good ol’ USA) Not to forget, they look great on the wall when the shop is clean… (not very often).

Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

View cowboy's profile

cowboy

64 posts in 316 days


261 days ago

Bridge City lay out tools are in my opinion the finest you could hope for, a joy to use and to look at I love each and everyone of mine.I bet those handplanes are just as good but until I win the lottery the lay out tools are all I can afford.I use the Lie Nielsen hand planes and back saw and they are wonderful but they are not cheap either.They just seem so next to Bridge City.
Bridge City was started by John Economaki a very fine woodworker who made wonderful all wooden parts clocks,incredible pieces and it is not a surprise that his tool company is so wonderful.

Cowboy

View Lakey's profile

Lakey

100 posts in 301 days


260 days ago

Oh my gosh – Before I cut up my credit cards, I purchased the multiplane and two soles – the corner bead profile and the rabbet. NEVER in my life have I seen such a beautiful tool. Yes, I shudder at the price, but once you have that thing in your hand and it starts singing through the wood – well, it just doesn’t get much better. Comparing Bridge City Tools to Lie-NielsenTools is like comparing apples and oranges (except for shoulder planes and other standards). The best way to describe the multi-plane that I can come up with is that it’s a moter-less router. It is designed strictly for profile work, and it excels in every way. I don’t think I would buy a shoulder plane, chisel or hammer made by Bridge City – for those I’d head right to Lie-Nielsen or Lee Valley. But as far as I know, there is no other company who is making something as interesting and versatile as the multi-plane. It is clearly very well thought out, and definitly NOT trying to be too many things. I’ll go back to the router comparison – really, buying the plane body is like buying a router motor, and buying the soles and irons is like buying router bits. The joy of it all is that it’s a gorgeous hand tool that responds entirely to the hand of the maker. The only thing I find lacking in the tool has nothing to do with the tool itself – Bridge City just doesn’t seem to have it together when it comes to documentation/user’s manuals. On a scale of 1 – 10 for the multiplane, without hesitation, I give it a boldface 10.

-- "No Board Left Behind"

View Suz's profile

Suz

51 posts in 285 days


260 days ago

I received a small square, a T square, and a depth gauge as a anniversary gift from work many years ago. The quality of these layout tools are impeccable. I only use these tools to check the accuracy of my other layout tools! <grin>

-- Jim

You must be signed in to reply.

Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community

Woodworking StoreApparel StoreMake a Donation
Bookmark And Share This Page
  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: All views and comments posted by members are not necessarily those of LumberJocks.com or of those working on the site.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase