Replies

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jul 28, 2004 04:23am | #1

   I feel your pain.  ;-)   Seriously, that's too bad, you'll just have to increase your contributions to your 401 to make up for it.  On the other hand, perhaps you can increase the value of the plane by making up a really good story about how it happened.  Good luck.

2. 
   CStanford | Jul 28, 2004 05:05pm | #2

   Ahhhh.... the wonders of ductile iron.

3. 
   EdHarrison | Jul 28, 2004 05:38pm | #3

   The first handplane I ever bought was the little L-N 102 low angle block plane. My first reaction to it, was 'wow this is small - it looks like some kind of gold-colored Christmas tree ornament!" I was happily makeing shavings in redwood with it the first evening thinking "okay this is cool - I see what all the fuss is about now," when suddenly it just flew out of my hand, arced through the air across my basement shop, lost altitude, flipped inverted and skidded to a stop on the concrete floor. There were several deep scratches and dings in the domed lever cap that fits ain the palm of your hand and upon retrieving it, I took advantage of the occasion to practice several of my more creative swear-word phrases. But the plane still worked fine, and, I'm looking at it right now, after a few years and much use, the scratches and gouges have become just sort of "blended in" to the whole patina.

   The fewer our wants, the nearer we resemble the gods. - Socrates
1. 
   AugieFrise | Jul 28, 2004 08:48pm | #4

   Ed,

   You mean to tell me the dang things can't fly??????????

   Sheesh!

1. 
   EdHarrison | Jul 28, 2004 09:50pm | #5

   Sure they can fly - shaped like an airfoil aren't they? - just not well and of extremely short duration. You want some battle scars on them to show that they have logged some takeoffs and landings.

   The fewer our wants, the nearer we resemble the gods. - Socrates

4. 
   KayakGreg | Jul 29, 2004 03:02am | #6

   I think it's the Dempster Highway up in Canada where when folks get a new car or truck the first thing they do is smack the windshield and put a crack in it. The wisdom is that it is going to happen anyway so why suffer through the anxiety of waiting for the shoe to drop. Maybe you will use this plane more often because it ain't perfect anymore. Do a reality check with yourself in about a year and ask yourself if you got the pleasure out of it you intended, and with less worry about scratching it. I have three LNs and I hope to get my pleasure out of turning them into well-used planes. If your still upset about it in a few days, just wrap it back up in the original box and all and send it to me and I'll give it a good home and you won't even have to pay me for taking care of it. :)

   Greg

1. 
   mgumaer | Jul 30, 2004 01:38am | #8

   My initial post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, poking a little fun at my own reaction to the ding. Tools are meant to be used and, in the using, they will inevitably develop some battle scars. Far better that than a pristine plane that never sees the light of day.

   Matt

5. 
   Drose | Jul 29, 2004 06:50am | #7

   To the horror of some, I have purposely destroyed the collectible value of a few tools.  I am personally irritated that I will probably never get to use a norris a6 or some other choice tools because they are sitting in a fancy tool cabinet collecting dust.  Ultimately, these are all tools and should be used.  Yes, I do own 2 LN planes and a clifton smoother because they were real purdy.  When I die and my boy has to put all my tools on ebay, I hope the guy who buys them will use them and love them and take care of them, despite the cosmetic flaws.