check out this plane on Craig's list...

I think you would find a better deal on ebay. I prefer older Stanleys because finding parts for them is much easier than many other brands. I suggest that your first plane should be a #5 or #5 1/2.

I purchased a very nice #5 for around 28 dollars.

Frank

-- Festool4

Hi Matt, Don’t bother with this one. Good #5’s are going cheap on E-Bay right now. Be picky and you will get a good one for under 20 bucks plus shipping. 5’s are the most common planes along with #4’s. With a 5, a 4 and a 7 or 8 you can do a lot of work. Add a block plane and you’re on the slippery slope.

-- Thos. Angle

thanks guys…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Nice looking plane.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Matt, I’ve bought a bunch of planes on ebay and from my experience, I’d only buy an old Stanley. I think because that are well made, and parts are always available. You might want to google “Patrick’s blood & gore”. It’s a great source of info before you buy. -SST

-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you

thanks tom!!! I just checked it out and there is a ton of info…

here is a link to this site: Patrick's Blood and Guts

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Here is the current list http://www.supertool.com/forsale/dec08sale.htm

IMO his tools go for well above what equivalents do on e-bay. But he will back them if you have any issue, so I guess there is value added.

I pick and choose off ebay. biggest thing to remember is not to get into bidding wars there. I have seen some junkers go for way too much because 2 or 3 bidders decided that they just had to have it. Just do a bit of searching. Check out what others have been selling for lately. Barring rare or low production planes the prices are fairly predictable if you leave emotions aside.

I would pass on the local one. Stanley really do command their resale value and spare parts are available.

-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama

I missed the listing on Craigs list but have a bit of experience with refurbishing 1 1/2 planes. One I gave up on as too badly rusted to ever lap but the other is a sweet #4 that I inherited from my Dad and he from his Father. The last time I was in the shop I figured I’d test it out after finally lapping/derusting/sharpening and was peeling beautiful whispy curls off of a chuck of pine 2X4. It is working so well I’ve decided to attempt a bookmatched table top for my daughter’s craft desk, which will require final smoothing with my #4 and then probably finished with my hand scrapers.

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

napaman:

The listing on Craigs list has expired, so I don’t know exactly what type of hand plane was offered there. That said, earlier this year I purchased a # 5 Clifton and a # 4 Kamal from Highland Woodworking ( www.highlandwoodworking.com ). The Clifton, rather pricey, is made in England. It is a beautiful precision tool, ready to go out of the box. The Kamal, made in India, was only $45, and after a couple of hours flattening and sharpening the iron it does beautiful work. I have also added a Stanley 60 1/2 low angle block plane, and after sharpening the iron, I have found this plane highly useful.

Since I only have a 4” jointer, I use the #4 and #5 to remove twist and cup from rough sawn boards prior to running them through the planer. This works so well that if this “secret” were to get out, the sales of large jointers would plummit.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"