For the last few years Mel has made a very good case regarding the resale value of Lie Nielsen planes. His numbers have varied throughout the years (from 90% original value, to ‘nearly full value’). I was thinking about this recently and I decided to stick some numbers to the question. What I found was pretty surprising.
The current complete listings on ebay comprises of some 28 items, about 25 of which are trackable (I removed plane socks, a blade and a limited edition #1). Only one item sold for more than retail, a set of scrapers at $20. Most of the other items were in newish condition with the box. 5 Items were within 90% of their original price, 4 items were within 80-90% of original price, 9 items were within 70%-80% of original price, three items were within 60%-70% of original price, and 3 items were within 50%-60%. The average retails was 79% of retail price. Which really isn’t very bad at all. Given that prices rise over the years and the current market instability, these are probably really safe ‘investments’.
However I don’t necessarily believe that this is unique to Lie Nielsen. While not a very large sample, the only Veritas plane sold for 90% of its original value. I suspect that given a large enough sample, you’d come in around the 80% mark as well.
Replies
How are you determining the Original Price?
I'm not, I'm using current price.
I made a quick note at the bottom of the paragraph regarding price increases. I'm not old enough to remember LN prices from 5-10 years ago. Taken over 10 year period, I suspect that you would break even at the very least.
Honestly (and this is just my opinion) most of the tools don't seem very old. I don't think that many of them have been actual users (though some have, and the price is lower). I suspect that there is a high amount of buyers remorse, people buy the tools don't know how to use them or just don't need them. After a year or two they get sold.
I don't understand what you were trying to say with your original post. It sounds like you were trying to say that Mel might have over estimated the value of LN products on Ebay, and you gave data that seemed to backup that idea, but you were using a completely different metric than Mel. Current Retail Price can be very different than Original Purchase Price. For example I paid about $100 less than the current retail price for my LN #8.
My group of friends usually start with 50% of current retail price, for tools in good condition, to determine baseline value for used tools from good companies. Using this formula, it sounds like LN tools out perform a lot of other tool brands.
Did I miss what you were trying to say?
Sorry my post ended up slit as I ran out of time a lunch. Originally I expected Mel to be overestimating, it turns out he was... but only slightly. LN tools hold their value very well.Neither myself nor Mel really knows the original purchase price of the tools. However after reviewing the tools, I would have to argue that the current price is probably more accurate since there hasn't been a huge movement in tool prices in the last few years and most of the tools appear to be new. I think that this conforms to Mels theory fairly well. If you buy a LN tool, try it out for a reasonable amount of time you can turn around and sell it and get a fairly good amount back. I suppose you could keep it for ten years... But I doubt many 10 year users are going to randomly sell tools.I think you have the jist of what I'm trying to say. However, I don't think LN is unique. I suspect most of the quality tool makers would have a similar depreciation. I think LV, Clifton would be in the same boat.
Sorry I wrote the message at lunch and ran out of time.
Most of the tools came in boxes, and appeared to be in near mint condition. At least one stated that the blade had never been honed, though I didn't take the time to review all the descriptions.
There was also a strong correlation between value and the tool. The beading tool had one of the the lowest resale values (57% of new, and one that did not meet reserver at 24% of new). The scraper planes as well had fairly low resale values. As expected tools that actually showed use were priced lower, in around the 30% range. The basic Bench planes faired well, and a quick look had the low angle planes fairling well too. The saws were the best of the bunch, coming in at 94% of retail cost, though it appeared the handles were cocobolo which I couldn't get a price for.
In the end this was a very quick and simplistic review. So don't kill me.
I I watch for newer companies like LN on E-Bay and fine about the same margins of costs as you do, but it is interesting to me is I never see LV items come up. There is a batch of older Bridge City tools on E-Bay right now that I have never seen...probably early years. John
"...but it is interesting to me is I never see LV items come up."I only saw one Veritas plane. The Scraper, that went for 90% of new.This is pure speculation, but LV isn't as available to many markets as LN. Many people can drive down t the local Woodcraft and pick one up, or at least see them. LN are also more classic, I suspect they're more collectable. FInally LN are also American made.
Thanks for the clarification.
It is great to see companies that make great products, like LN, LV, and a bunch of others, doing really well.
When I first started doing serious projects I was shocked at the poor quality of some hand tools. I remember being extremely frustrated with the Stanley plane that I purchased at the hardware store. I thought that I would never be able to get good results.
I was a member of the woodworking forum on Compuserve where the members educated my on the merits of purchasing old Stanley products and tuning them. In short order I was thrilled with the results.
I have some old Stanley planes as well. The only one that sees use though is the #7. I bought it used locally, cleaned it up and replaced tha blade with a Hock. For the $100 invested in it, I don't think I could have gotten a better plane.
When I bought it I had trouble finding good information on rehabing the plane. I ended up with two more planes recently (#5 and a #45) that are on my list t clean up... I wonder how the information is these days...
My recommendation for new users tehse days would be to see what you can get on ebay. There are lots of good condition Stanley and LN (and the ocassional Veritas) at less than new prices and new quality.
There are usually a few LV planes on eBay. I have found that I need to search for "Veritas" to find most of them. Veritas will also bring up a huge number of totally unrelated non LV items also. Currently there is a large scraping plane with an opening bid of $75. The LV planes that I have watched seem to bring around the 80-90% amount IMHR.
Bruce"A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan
I am afraid I don't understand the point of this thread. They make a great tool, so if it comes up on the second hand market it fetches nearly the cost of a new tool. Its a good way to save a few bucks.
It's been brought up that one reason to buy LN is the great resale value you can get on Ebay. I finally put numbers to the idea.
Thanks for the research. It's nice to know my LN's are a hedge against inflation:-)
Just as an aside though, I wouldn't consider the presence (or lack) of a box an indicator of whether the plane was used or not. Just to keep ahead of the MI humidity and surface rust, I store all mine inside plane sacks inside the box when not in use and mine all get used. They're only out during use, then back they go.
If you build it he will come.
Buster, you need to get out more.
Buster, you need to get out more.
You're telling me.
I have two 17 month old boys, they were in bed, but my wife was gone. I typically don't bother going out to the shop as I get to messy.
Mel often brings it up (without any real backup), and I wondered if it was true. It is. Second there was a comment in one of his posts that other planes don't seem to have the same resale value (or something along that line). Kind of got me thinking, so I wanted to check that out as well. (In the end there wasn't enough Veritas planes to make an analysis.)
Besides, if I should get out more what does that say about you? You read the thread...
Buster
I'd venture a guess it took less time to read the thread than do a price analysis of L-N planes on EBay, no?It's all good... and I assume theoretical for most of us here anyway - why would somebody sell their L-N planes?
...why would somebody sell their L-N planes?
I love all my planes, just like my children. :)
I had a buddy go through a midlife woodworking crisis last year. He had been teaching locally, and over the years had picked up a nice collection of Stanley planes. He sold the whole lot as well as a bunch of other tools including two Lie Nielsen planes. I didn't but them but should have, as I know now I could have made a profit on ebay. Strangley he now says he went a little overboard.
"I love all my planes, just like my children. :)"I can think of several reasons to sell my children.
In tools lie the potential to make tens of thousands of dollars worth of furniture over one's woodworking lifetime. These contorted justifications of tools 'holding value' seems to me to be some kind of weird mental hedge by those who aren't really sure how much use they'll see. They assume the tools can be unloaded at close to cost and not feel guilty for having bought them in the first place, mid-life crises notwithstanding.
And God forbid that my woodshop tools be the central store of value of my estate when I die. I will have really let my kids down if that's the case.
Edited 11/15/2008 6:54 am ET by TaunTonMacoute
TTM,
If your kids are like my kid, they'll probably gladly keep the furniture, and just as gladly, sell the tools! Just the other day, I was called visit a neighbor, whose dad was a woodworker, pretty well thought of in local circles. He recently died,and I was asked to come and look at a piece of his that had some finish issues. His daughter's house was sprinkled throughout with examples of his work. I did take note of a folding rule and a pair of dividers carefully placed, shrine-like, on a Newport game table. Didn't see a table saw, or a handsaw, for that matter, anywhere in sight. I wonder if the old man was a Mason...
Me, I have and still use (on occasion) my grand-dad's draw-knife, and have one of his tables. But his Winchester '97 shotgun is my pride and joy.
Ray
My children regularly ask me if I'm keeping up the premium payments on the life insurance. I laugh and keep 'em guessing. The policies have been paid up for years.
I like the idea of a few obviously well used measuring tools displayed on an example of a loved one's work. Very nice. As my 81 year old mother would say - "thoughty" Something about a worn spot where a thumb flicked open a folding rule countless times that warms the heart more than the cold steel of a tablesaw, eh?
Edited 11/15/2008 6:55 am ET by TaunTonMacoute
Buster,
Glad you checked out my finding that Lie Nielsen planes sell for almost retail cost on EBay. I have checked this out a number of times, and it is consistent.
I don't know why there are many more Lie Nielsen planes for sale on EBay than Lee Valleys. Maybe there are just more LNs out there than LVs. I think that the quality of the LVs are right up there with the LNs. By the way, I don't get anything from LN for posting my finding.
I have checked out other brands, and have found that Pfeil Swiss Made carving gouges tend to sell for close to retail. I haven't found it for any other brands.
There have been threads on Knots which have investigated why this phenomenon is true. No real results on that.
Some feel that it doesn't make any difference that LNs sell for almost full price. That is, in my humble opinion, nonsense. To me, "life cycle cost" is an important concept. If I buy a Groz plane or a new Stanley for $100, I can't sell it for any price the next day. I can sell a LN or a Pfeil for almost what I paid for it. That is a reassuring feeling.
The best thing about Knots is that I can find ideas that make me think. I never accept advice without checking it out. You took my suggestion exactly as I intended it, not as advice, but as something to think about and test. Glad I posted something that you found to be useful/valuable.
I work two afternoons a week at the Woodcraft store in Springfield, VA, now that I have retired. One of the benefits, although not the biggest, is that I can buy tools at 10% over cost. I can buy LN planes for about half price. Woodcraft doesn't sell Lee Valley, otherwise I would own some of them too. For those who can spare a few hours a week, I heartily suggest a part time job at a store like Woodcraft, not only for the discount, which is substantial, but for other reasons. I have learned an immense amount in the time I have worked there. When you have dozens of people peppering you with "how to" questions and tool questions on all aspects of woodworking, you learn fast. Also, you meet some phenomenal woodworkers. I have met a slew of guitar makers, a banjo maker, many excellent carvers, and some wonderful furniture makers, almost all of whom are willing to share info.
Have fun. I hope I can come up with another good idea for you in the next decade.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
"Maybe there are just more LNs out there than LVs."I think you hit it on the nail on the head. I enjoy both both brands, I have favorites from both companies.One thing, and this is purely my opinion is that LN makes a beautiful tool. The Veritas planes, while I believe that they function the same, have a utilitarian look to them. I use my planes, so look really doesn't matter (as proof you only have to look at my #7 Stanley).Additionally, LN makes a classic line of planes 1-8. Veritas doesn't. To some, who believe that you must have a set, this would appear incomplete. Actually the one plane I wish Veritas did make is a plain #7 jointer.
Buster,
IMHO, your assessment is right on.
My opinion and $4 will get you a coffee at Starbucks. :-)I hope I can come up with a second idea that you find useful.
I'll try.
Meanwhile, have fun. It sounds like you do.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Some feel that it doesn't make any difference that LNs sell for almost full price. That is, in my humble opinion, nonsense. To me, "life cycle cost" is an important concept.
Hi Mel
I think that I am going to refer to this is the "Accountancy Method" of choosing woodworking equipment".
There are holes in your theory, in my humble opnion. Firstlly, I think that you are correct in that LN - and probably a few other tools, such LV and Pfeil - sell for near-new prices. However, I think that most good quality and desirable tools in near-new condition will sell for near-new prices. I would hazard a guess that the "value" of the LN (and others) only lasts while they are in this condition. What do you think that their value would be in 10 years, or a few years of hard use? Do you think that they will still command high prices?
I bought a LN skew block plane about 18 months ago for about 25% of the new cost. Why so low? Well it was 20 years old (really) and in very poor condition. I had a bit of fun restoring it with the help of Thomas LN.
I think that there is a narrow window on this theory of yours. The only way that a tool (or anything for that matter) is going to maintain its value over time is if it has Collector Value. There are some tools that have collector value, but these are those that are in limited production AND are desirable. Look at the value of the LN #4 1/2 Anniversary Smoother, of which only 500 were made - they were $400 new and now sell for at least $1000 on eBay (but I wonder if mine would get such a price as I use it like any other prlane I own). Another is the limited edition of the LV stainless steel Edge Trimming Plane (I have not seen one for sale as yet). Those are the only two modern mass produced new planes I can see appreciating in value. Then there are the limited edition planes of custom tool makers - but they will need years before they are considered rare. Why is the art of deceased artists more valuable after their deaths than before?
Using this (my) theory I am trying to persuade my wife to let me buy that Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster I have always hankered after. Now THAT car is guaranteed to increase in value!
The second reason that I do not like your theory is that it is soulless. It is like suggesting that everyone purchases a BMW or Mercedes or Volvo. What if I preferred a different make? Actually, I still enjoy driving my 15 year old SAAB 900i, inspite of the fact that its resale value is about $1. When it comes time to replace it - my son is soon to take his Learner's Licence, and then he will inherit the car - I really do not know what to get. Actually, what I have been spending my Car Money on is in restoring my 1957 Porsche 356 Coupe. This is just a basic version. Nothing to get excited about - unless you are passionate about these cars. It is not a good decision from a monetary perspective. But it has Soul, lots of Soul!
I want to buy woodworking tools that have soul. I want to buy them because they inspire me or because I simply enjoy using them. I do not buy them as professional tools. They are not for work (if they were then I'd go down the accountancy path). They are for play. When you choose a tool because it makes good financial sense then something important is lost.
One thing, and this is purely my opinion is that LN makes a beautiful tool. The Veritas planes, while I believe that they function the same, have a utilitarian look to them. I use my planes, so look really doesn't matter (as proof you only have to look at my #7 Stanley).
Hi Buster
I tend to agree with you that Veritas planes have had a reputation for looking very ordinary. Form following Function does not necessary equate to a good aesthetic.
But that has been changing. Look at the recent spate of planes (Side Rabbet, Skew Rabbets, Plow). And just wait until the 24th when the first of the new range is released. I promise that this will knock your socks off!
Regards from Perth
Derek
Reverend Derek,
"I want to buy woodworking tools that have soul." As we have discussed, you and I have different criteria for tools which stem from totally different "cultures". Finding out about David Savage helped me see more of the difference between you and me. I AM NOT COMPARING MY ABILITY TO SAVAGE'S. David seems to come at things purely on the basis of what it takes to do fine woodworking, just as I do. You seem to come at woodworking as something that can be done with the fine tools that you love. You are not just a "tool-man". You are a Fine Tool man". Remember Ray's explanation of why you rarely have anything negative to say about the tools you review? It is because you only review the best of the best. I used to think that it was because you have a close relationship with the toolmakers. You do have that close relationship, but I now know that is not the reason for your mostly positive reviews.Please do not take any of this personally. It is only an attempt for me to answer your challenge and to understand your:
- focus on tools qua tools, rather than tools as instruments for woodworking.
- predilection toward Lee Valley over Lie NielsenIMHO, you veer towards being a "tool dilletante". Here are two definitions of dilletante.
1) a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement,
2) a lover of an art or science, esp. of a fine art.In some uses, the term dilletante has a negative connotation. I am NOT using it in that sense, but in the two senses listed above. I believe that you get an extreme amount of amusement ((A GREAT THING)) from playing with new tools from boutique hand tool makers. I can jus picture you smiling and almost drooling after you receive a new plane to review, much as I smile and drool when I see a fine piece of furniture at the Wadsworth Athaneum.While I can't get excited that LV is coming out with a new set of planes, I could get excited if FWW was going to come out with a two volume set of the greatest furniture made in the last century with comments by the makers on interesting or different techniques that they used.To me tools are only tools. To you tools are "TOOLS". They seem to have a value beyond their ability to help you do woodwork. They are something to be savored, as a wine connoseur would savor a highly sought after vintage.To me a tool is an extension of my body or my mind, which allows me to do some aspect of woodworking that I want to do but couldn't otherwise do. That's all it is -- a formed piece of metal or metal and wood, or even a piece of software. When I got into playing a banjo, I met a number of people who I was surprised to find were really into "banjos". THey followed each banjo manufacturer and checked to see when each was coming out with a new model, and how the new model compared to past models. EGAD. Just buy a good banjo, learn how to play it and get on with life. But then I came to realize that being a banjo afficianado is a good and valid passtime. "Banjos qua banjos" is just not my thing. Playing and listening to banjo music is exciting to me.Being into tools qua tools is your thing. I am finding, by your latest posts, that you are also a woodworker. I really didn't know that. I looked at you as a tool afficianado because most of your words (by a longshot) are about tools, not about woodworking. I am really glad to see that you enjoy using your tools as well as savoring them. But in essence, your "center" is on boutique tools. You are genuinely fascinated with the details of tools in which every detail got the utmost attention. As with banjos, that is just fine. It is a good and valid passtime, just as is my interest in woodworking, in which tools play a subservient role to woodworking. My guess is that you come close to a heart attack when you hold a Holtey.I once read a letter on Philip's site from a man who was comparing his Holtey to his new Marcou. The man said that Philip's quality was not up to the Holtey and he gave proof. He had removed a screw and found that on the Holtey, the underside of the head of the screw was polished, and on the Marcou, it was not. EEEEEEEGGGGGGAAAAADDDDD This man's values are quite different than mine, and maybe different than yours, but I believe his values and culture are far closer to yours than mine. (I took an extreme case to make a point. I enjoy doing that and fully realize the problems with it.)You do talk about home made tools, but those are, to me, highly refined boutique tools which are the best of the best. Your marking gauges in presentation boxes are unequaled in technical excellence -- far "nicer" than anyone needs in a marking gauge. I am not excited about the fact that I have a LV #5 1/2. I am excited about the fact that it really allows me to put a nice face on a piece of wood, and to joint some boards, and it works well at the shooting board.... and thus it helps me make some nice stuff. Suppose a new company comes up and develops a plane that suits my purposes better than the LN 5 1/2. I will sell it on EBay and get the other. My investment in the LN is liquid. That aspect of liquidity doesn't cause me to buy the LN, but it certainly pushes me in the direction of LN rather than of other makers which don't have the same cachet on EBay. I WAS VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT SOME OTHERS HAVE PICKED UP ON MY DISCOVERY OF THE EBAY-LN PHENOMENON. I hope that phenomenon continues. Indeed, I would be happy to see LV attain the same cachet, and Marcou and Holtey, and Clark and Williams, etc. I can't understand your fascination with LV over LN. I don't care that some people think that LNs look better than LV. That never occured to me before Buster said it. After fettling a half dozen old Stanleys, I will never do that again. THey cost too much in time, effort, initial cost, and the cost of a new blade and chipbreaker, then they cost TOO MUCH, and there is not much of a market if I want to recoup of my investment.Maybe your fascintation with LV stems from your being a rebel at heart, a person who loves to challenge the status quo or the usual way of doing things, a person who delights in upsetting current status quos. :-) I guess that LV was a pusher of the BU planes, and you jumped on that bandwagon, and championed this approach. OK, let's face it. You are just rebellious in nature, and you took up the cause. From now on I will refer to you as "Che Guevara Cohen". There is nothing wrong with being a rebel, Derek. I was a rebel when I was young. Now I just a nice guy who goes along with everyone and everything and never attempts to cause any incisive thinking. :-)I have no idea why you are against the thought of "being able to recoup one's cost of a tool" and to keep that as an option. If I have a no-cost option of getting my money back with the LN but not for the LV, why would anyone buy a LV???? The LV doesn't have better quality. Maybe equal quality. Your continued leaning toward LV really stuns me, as does your continued belief that having a relationship with a manufacturer or getting planes for free does not color your judgment. If that were true, you would not be a human. You might be a Vulcan. Nannoo Nannoo. (If anyone reads any "mean-ness" into this statement, they misread me.) I am merely calling you a human, you "human". (albeit a very advanced human)You are one of my favorite people on Knots. That and $4 will get you a coffee at Starbucks. Do you have coffee down in Perth? There is not much you could do to stop me from admiring your approach to life and to tools. I LOVE PEOPLE WHO GET EXCITED. You get excited about tools. I get excited about woodwork. You and I both have tools and we both do woodwork, but from completely different points of view -- different cultures. I have tried to use "blue collar culture" to describe my penchant for not paying more than I need to to get a capability (tool) that I want. You couldn't get me to buy a Holtey at half price. I'd rather buy the LV (at my big discount at Woodcraft) and put the rest of the money in an account for my grandson's college costs. YUP I AM BLUE COLLAR. The LN works good enough for me. I believe your "biases" for LV, or for expensive tools from boutique makers does not deter your ability to sell yourself as a reviewer of tools. Everyone that I have talked to enjoys, appreciates and learns from your articles. Your excitement about and interest in tools is contagious. You are a likable guy, and there is nothing you can do to change that. But you are a "tool guy" more than a "woodworker guy", and you lean toward LV over LN.How was that for a "fun rant"? I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. I am not in the league of the great woodworkers. I am not in your league in my understanding of tools. I don't have your ability to write beautifully, clearly, and concisely (OBVIOUSLY). I am not comparing "capabilities" but rather styles. Our styles are quite different, but equally valid. You were the one who brought this up!!!!! You were poking holes in my theory. I didn't know I had a theory. Just think of me as a "David Savage with only moderate capability and a more easy going personality" :-)I wouldn't say, as you have said to me, that there are holes in your theory. I would just say that you have chosen a different path than I have - a different culture -- one that is not completely different, but just a matter of degree, with you placing more weight on tools, and me on process of woodworking. You are very excited about boutique tools. I look for the cheapest tool that will enable me to get the job done in an efficient, effective, pleasurable way. Maybe we are not so different after all. It is just a matter of balance, and we are on different sides of the same scale. There are no holes in either of our theories/cultures. We merely have different things that we value more highly. We do have something in common -- excitement about adventures in a field that neither of us does professionally. However, it is my guess that you are setting things up to become a professional "boutique tool guy" - a spokesman for the boutique tool makers to the woodworkers, and a spokesman for the woodworkers to the BTMs. My guess is that you are setting things up to make money in this field after you leave psychology. THIS IS NOT A CRITICISM. I applaud your doing this. It is a good thing, and there is no one better suited to do it than you. I will always read your reviews to get your sense of excitement, and to get your wonderful insights into how to tweak a tool to get the most out of it. You have said that you try to understand and make your biases public. I fully believe that. I also believe that Savage has no biases toward any tool maker, so I value his information as much as I value yours -- but it is a different kind of information. Your info could only come from a guy with an inherent love of tools, and his from a guy who has an inherent love of woodworking -- two sides of the same scale.I hope you are not disappointed by the new LV tools that are coming out. I can't wait to read your review of them. I wish Woodcraft would also sell LV tools so that I could buy the ones I want at half price. I wish a lot of LV tools sold on EBay for current retail, years after they were made. If wishes were horses, etc etc etc.
As always, it was a pleasure to receive a message from you, and especially one which challenges me to think more deeply, more incisively and more creatively. You inspire me and you push me to do better work and to enjoy my hobby even more. Please don't stop doing that.An avid if not reverent fan,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel
You do realise that my tongue was firmly in my cheek as I wrote that piece? :)
Regards from Perth
Derek
Derek,
Sorry about that. I didn't recognize the tongue in cheek. I promise to do better in the future.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Derek,
Hilarious.
Ray
24th? New line of LV? What new line? Tell us more!
Derek,But that has been changing. Look at the recent spate of planes (Side Rabbet, Skew Rabbets, Plow). And just wait until the 24th when the first of the new range is released. I promise that this will knock your socks off!
Now it'll be like waiting for christmas.
Buster
The planes will be launched on the 24th. I cannot divulge any details until then other than to note that I did some testing in January and that one of my recommendations back then appears to have been incorporated into the final design (of course, others may have recommended that same feature). I do have the final production versions at home, and they are a joy to use. By far the best of their type in my experience. I think that even Mel will put aside his vow of austerity and want to fondle them :)
Regards and teases from Perth
Derek
You and Lataxe should start a little club for people with inside knowledge. I'm starting to feel like I'm back in middle school. I wasn't in the club then either.:(---Pedro, who is jealous
I have some idea what they might be (rumors from the store), but I'll hold off spreading any rumors until next Monday. It would be like peaking under the wrapping...
I'm not a 'purest', and I'm only a hobbyiest. I have to ballance the two f's: Fun and Finishing (as in actually getting something done). I have a fairly basic collection of tools, two block planes, a smoother, a jointer, a #80 scraper, and a spokeshave. I've got a few others, all old stanley, that I bought cheap, but I wouldn't call users.
All,
Derek is not the only person around here with big news on new tools. Karl Holtey, Philip Marcou, Larry Williams and I have been secretly working on the development of a motorized hand planer that will be out within three months. It will be followed by three other models. Together, the four models will replace all hand planes including the Stanley 55. THey will be marketed and distributed by a joint venture between Adam Cherubini and Makita. Adam assured me that Makita is a good Italian company and that he knows all of the principals there.Our fourth model, which will replace the compass plane and the lock mortise plane, will also be able to do draw bore pinned mortise and tenon joints in a single pass. We got the idea from Festool and took it to its logical extreme. We have sent preproduction models to our reviewers, who will be the newly formed team of Derek Cohen and David Savage. The four planers were taken to Derek and David by my friend, Guido, and his brother, Vinnie, who will see that they are returned and that the review goes well. We haven't settled on the price of the four planes but have decided to leave that decision to Karl, who knows how to price tools right. We offered to let LV and LN into this consortium, but both refused. It grieves us to know that as a result of the expected popularity of our powered hand planers, both of those companies will soon be out of business. If you have any questions, please let me know. Let me assure you that my message is at least as factual than Derek's. Like my mother used to say, if you can't trust an Italian, who can you trust?Ciao,
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
G'day:"Why is the art of deceased artists more valuable after their deaths than before?"Assuming your question was not rhetorical, the answer is that the supply is inarguably over, once the artist is firmly under the ground. Assuming that current tastes don't change, the value of the artwork would tend to rise because of the finite supply. Furthermore current owners do not have to worry about the artist producing "better" work that would have the tendency to devalue any prior works that would be seen as "lesser".Regards,Hastings
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