Replies

1. 
   BenM | Mar 03, 2009 03:37pm | #1

   I'm sure you already know that all 601 bedrock planes are "originals" and not reproductions since Stanley never made a 601. :)  Have you considered making a 600 1/2?  People who collect the bedrock series will then need to buy one to have a complete set.

1. 
   philip | Mar 03, 2009 09:59pm | #2

   Ben,
   Good idea with the 6001/2: then Mr Leaches's son can consign them all to the melting plant, sort of like Dad likes to burn all transitionals (;)Philip Marcou

2. 
   ctsjr | Mar 04, 2009 01:43am | #3

   I'd love to know how many he's sold. I've got MUCH better things to do with my $700. Leach has always responded promptly to my questions. I think he's just taking advantage of the collector's tendencies. Tom

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
3. 
   dkellernc | Mar 04, 2009 05:55pm | #4

   Philip - Acutally, these are collector's items.  They are not intended to be used (though I'm sure they could be, should someone so desire).  Many things on the antiques market are collectables, whether or not they're actually antiques. 

   There isn't any real functional reason why a Lie-Nielsen 2006 anniversary 4-1/2 in bronze is $500-$800 better than an iron 4-1/2 with a HAF, but they were very limited in production, they're pretty, and according to L-N, they will never be made again, so they're collector's items and bring about $1000 on fleabay, regardless of the fact that they're 3 years old. 

1. 
   philip | Mar 04, 2009 10:26pm | #6

   I am with you until you say "they will never be made again".The 601 has been made in small runs fairly regularly as far as I know, so do those conditions still apply?Philip Marcou

1. 
   dkellernc | Mar 05, 2009 06:39pm | #7

   Hmm - No, I was referring to the L-N 4-1/2 bronze smoother as "never made again".  So far as I know, that doesn't apply to Patrick's plane.  But I was sort of ticking off the things that make up a collector's item:  interest, desirability, and rarity. 

   In Patrick's case, I think it's probably more of a case of "filling out" a collection of BedRock planes - there's always an interest on the collector's market of a "one of each kind", and he's filling this desire.  Naturally, I suspect that these (the 601's) will always be relatively uncommon no matter how long he decides to make them, as his production is just not enough to generate thousands and thousands of examples.

   Another reason for the price, though, is "comparison shopping".  A very good condition Stanely #1 brings thousands and thousands, so a collector can have a repro (even an "improved" repro) for a whole lot less.  This sort of thing also drives some of the reproduction 18th century furniture market - you can have a nearly unobtainable piece of "John Townsend Newport" furniture reproduced for between a few thousand and a few ten thousand dollars, where an original, if obtainable, would be in the millions.

4. 
   Mackwood | Mar 04, 2009 07:09pm | #5

   Philip,

   I assume he just had profit in mind.  He's pretty tuned in to the collector market and was probably filling a niche as he saw one.

   The price, while I certainly would never buy one, I feel is reasonable given the cost of tooling up and the limited number that must have been made.  If he was making millions of them the cost would probably be considerably less.

   Best regards,

   Mack

   "Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"

5. 
   joinerswork | Mar 06, 2009 02:10am | #8

   Hi philip,

   You asked for it:

   There was a certain Kiwi, Down Under,

   Who denounced cloned Bedrock prices as plunder.

   "Small batches, re-sold,"

   he sniffed, "Not even old.

   Why, next, he'll be stealing my thunder!"

   Ray

    

    

1. 
   philip | Mar 06, 2009 09:40am | #9

   Thanks Ray, I knew you would come up with the goods.
   I think I must do a 1/5 scale S20 now....be a snip at 15K.Philip Marcou