Replies

1. 
   JeffHeath | May 28, 2005 04:06pm | #1

   Dave

   The one "built into a metal box and let down into a 2x4" is called a transitional plane.  They were basically the link between old woodies and classic cast iron planes from the turn of the century.

    None of the planes you mentioned were "worth" the prices you quoted, but if you wanna get one, tune it up, and learn how to use it, then go for it!

   Jeff 

1. 
   Yogi | May 28, 2005 06:08pm | #3

    

   <<<None of the planes you mentioned were "worth" the prices you quoted, but if you wanna get one, tune it up, and learn how to use it, then go for it!>>>

   That's what I wanted to know-  Much obliged-

   Dave

    

    

1. 
   JeffHeath | May 28, 2005 06:19pm | #4

   Dave,

   You can typically find old planes at flea markets and garage sales for a fraction of what you were quoted.  I remember picking up a Jack plane at a garage sale for $5.  Of course, patience is a virtue.  If you're in a hurry, Ebay will be a great source for any plane you could want, but you will pay a slight premium.

   Jeff

1. 
   Yogi | May 28, 2005 06:33pm | #6

   Thanks, Jeff, that's what I wanted to know-  Dave

2. 
   EdHarrison | May 28, 2005 04:08pm | #2

   They all sound pricey to me. Especially the jointer transitional plane. The broken duplex rabbet - nah, run from that. The original Craftsman duplex rabbet had a horn at the end that you use to help propel it with, with the heel of your left hand. Sounds like that's where it's broken. Probably someone was using that heel as an improvised hammer to hang a picture. Offer half or less for any planes that you might want. For example, one of the two jack planes might not a bad start for learning how to restore, tune, and do some decent work with a plane. Try not to show that you're in a freewheelin' descent down the slippery slope of handtool acquistion grabbing desperately at exposed roots and rock outcroppings. Maintain coolness. Speak convincingly of "ebay," as in: "None of these would bring what you're asking on ebay."

   Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

1. 
   Yogi | May 28, 2005 06:30pm | #5

   <<<  "Try not to show that you're in a freewheelin' descent down the slippery slope of handtool acquistion grabbing desperately at exposed roots and rock outcroppings. Maintain coolness. Speak convincingly of "ebay," as in: "None of these would bring what you're asking on ebay."

   Good luck. Let us know how it goes."<<<

   Kay, lemmee see-  I saunter up to the guy, sneer at his planes and say, "Duuuude, like, I mean, your stuff's TIIIIIRED, man-  Ainobody gunna unroll that kinda dough for this salvage, y'know?  On The Bay this kinda ballast wouldn't get half what you're askin."  

   I'll give it a try just for practice, but it sounds like maybe I should view all this as an educational experience-  I really don't know a good price from a bad one for an old plane-  Thanks-  Dave    

                 

1. 
   EdHarrison | May 28, 2005 09:29pm | #7

   You're on your own with the sneer and the dudespeak - not a tactic recommended in Mississippi or Alabama - but yes, that's the basic idea. I've never paid the full price at any antique store or flea market. I was trained in haggling by the EXACT SAME GUY in Tijuana, Korea, the Phillipines, etc. in the many places I've been to. You know the guy - the one saying "Cheap, Cheap! You buy! You buy!"You should be able to pick up a good set of Bailey-style bench planes (smoother, jack, jointer) for ballpark $20 each. Maybe $30 for the jointer if its in pretty good shape. Good luck, Ed

1. 
   Yogi | May 29, 2005 02:59am | #9

   >>>You should be able to pick up a good set of Bailey-style bench planes (smoother, jack, jointer) for ballpark $20 each. Maybe $30 for the jointer if its in pretty good shape. Good luck, Ed<<<

   Thank you-  I guess garage sales are the place, though there aren't many garages, let alone garage sales, here in the Hoodoo Valley-  I'll hafta go to town!  Thanks again for getting me oriented-  Dave

1. 
   EdHarrison | May 29, 2005 03:15pm | #10

   You're welcome, Dave. Hey, one technique that works for collecting old tools, even in rural, podunk, small-town America where I live - is to scan the newspaper classifieds on Wednesdays or Thursdays for "Estate Sales" on Fridays and Saturdays and go to the ones that mention tools or old tools. I'll give you one bit of advice, though - if they say that they are going to start at 8:00 am, often they start early and when you arrive promptly at 8:00 am, all of the good stuff will be gone. Recommend arriving early and quietly parking on the street with a newspaper and breakfast. The first one of these I went to, I arrived at the time it was supposed to start only to find a man pushing a wheelbarrow of nice handtools toward his truck that he had bought for something like $35. Since he was asking people what the various items were, I am sure that he wasn't a woodworker, but was headed straight toward some flea market.These estate sales are good places to find some very good tools and give them new homes and put them to work. I am always very respectful and polite regarding the person whose shop it was that they are selling all the stuff out of and the people doing the selling. Usually they are doing it because someone is recently deceased and its a pretty rough time for them anyway. Take care, Ed

2. 
   Yogi | May 29, 2005 06:51pm | #11

   >>>  "I am always very respectful and polite regarding the person whose shop it was that they are selling all the stuff out of and the people doing the selling. Usually they are doing it because someone is recently deceased and its a pretty rough time for them anyway. Take care, Ed" <<<

   Relax, I'll be nice-  lol-  It's my natural state-  And I certainly will try some estate sails-Thanks again, and take care yourself-  Dave   

2. 
   macalex | May 28, 2005 11:58pm | #8

   The trouble with "Speak convincingly of "ebay," as in: "None of these would bring what you're asking on ebay." is that the merchant has probably got eBay running out the back, and knows exactly what his goods would fetch online!

   MalcolmNew Zealand  |  New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis

3. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 10:41pm | #12

   An old Craftsman duplex plane with the bullnose broken off it, but still good for rabbets and shoulders, $35 I think-  Geeee about $1.00 without the nose!

4. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 10:44pm | #13

   Just me.. If the OL plane is IN sort of good shape with ALL the parts there..

   Look for cracks in the cast iron.. Then get them!  YOU CAN fix then up with MORE en' a bit of sweat!