Greetings Knotheads.
I have just come into possession of a Multiform Moulding Co. of Boston wood/iron transitional plane. Google search has not been able to identify just what this plane is. Can anybody help?
I did get some info on the company, the Worrell (?) patent and some pics of other Multiform planes. Trying to positively ID this one, and then, of course, determine its value +/or usefulness.
Wooden sole is 1″ thick, 8 1/2″ long, “boat” shaped – 2 5/8″ wide at the mouth, tapering to 2″ at the toe and 1 5/8″ at the heel. The cast top overhangs the sole by 1 1/2″. There is no doubt about the manufacturer – it is stamped into the top of the 2″ iron, and the iron retention system is totally unique.
Condition is complete and before any cleanup, appears to be good to very good. The iron is bedded at 45 deg +/- and shows a pretty fair radius – is this perhaps a scrub plane?
Any info would be appreciated.
Replies
Pictures?
Regards from Perth
Derek
DerekI wish. Don't have the technology. Maybe I can borrow....If so, I'll post this afternoon.
No idea about the plane...
Jon Zimmers has a Multiform Molding Plane Co plow on his web site for sale. Here is the description:
Multiform Moulding Plane Co. Plow Plane
This was patented Aug 29, 1854. The patent was for a detachable handle that could be used on a series of plane bottoms. The Multiform company was in business for only four years, until 1858.
The linky (scroll down to find it):
http://www.jonzimmersantiquetools.com/show/plane_show.html
Could be a fairly rare plane--he is listing the plow for $2195. Jon is assessable via email and *might* answer his email if you inquire. He is a pretty dang knowlegeable and all 'round good guy.
Take care, Mike
Yep - I had found this. Mine definitely is not a plow plane, but hope springs eternal that it might fetch comparable $$.....Thanks for the tip on contacting him.Looks like a photo session is on tap for lunch break. I'll try to post the results this eve.
Sorry guys - can't seem to attach any pics. I think they're just too big, but I also think there are other issues as well.Been to the archives on attachment issues, have tried a number of ways to reduce the file size(s), but no luck so far. I'll keep trying.....
rd,
hey man, what's up? i can no longer wait to see this thing but i suffer from an almost total lack of computer-knowing so i cannot advise on the posting of pics.
someone will help...
eef
Click on my name in this post and send me an email.
I will respond and then you can email the pic to me. I will resize it and post it for you. I'll also point you to a discussion that you may find useful in your photographic pursuits here on Knots.
If that doesn't work I'll meet ye half way and show you how. If that doesn't work why doncha take a ride up here and I'll introduce you to the Mayor of Kidderville. His name is Tink.
:-)
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Bob to the rescue!You all should have the pics in the next day or so - he's a dial-up orphan like me.Patience is a virtue.
Hi Bruce,
It's downloading now into my email - about 50% done. I had a glue up to do this AM and will post as soon as they are here.
Should be 'bout 5 PM tonight, HA HA HA HA.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Bruce,
Someone musta goosed the telephone line! Either that or Ma Bell is under the covers cuz she's a cheap mutha!
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Now you can fill in the details, okey dokey?
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Dude, you rock! You da man. Awesome! Rad! Phat!Now, I seem to remember a promise to steer me to a discussion that will educate this poor iggeramus as to pic posting on this forum.....For the rest of you, at least for those interested, details are as follows:#1: H.W. Judd was the proud (?) owner, at least at one time.#2: note the peening over on the top of the iron - cutting depth is obviously accomplished via tapping the iron.#4: shows the rear of the iron securing system.#6: is a closeup of the front of the iron securing system. You can see the "male" part of the "dovetail" system that is riveted to the bottom of the iron in #5.Now, can anyone tell me a) what purpose this plane was built for, and b) is this a rare and valuable antique, or just an antique?Inquiring (and avaricious) minds want to know!
Bruce,
Try this discussion from a cupla years ago. If ye have any questions give me a buzz and I'll do me best to help ye.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Hi BobThis discussion looks to be exactly what I needed. I think I was doing things right, but just had files that were too large. Tried to resize, using every possible program I've got, but no dice. Don't think I've got the necessary software.As to the plane, its wood/iron construction would definitely label it "transitional". In the same haul (and it is now gloat time) I got a Stanley transitional jack, what I think is a pre 1900 Stanley #6, a very nice Millers Falls #9 smoother, a Stanley # 120 block, a Stanley #78 rabbet (incomplete) a Stanley #51 spokeshave, a couple of drawknives, a rosewood marking/morticing gauge, a ball joint scraper, and some other assorted stuff. I paid (blush) all of $60 and drove 5 hrs round trip to do it.Left 6 or 8 Disston and Craftsman handsaws behind - all the Disstons showed a curve or wiggle when I sighted down them - did I blow it here? Also numerous bits for a brace, a couple of large Yankee drivers, and a lot of other assorted stuff. Could have brought it all home for another $40.The crowning touch to the story is that I nearly drove away with nothing - the fellow was supposedly available "until 11 AM", I was there by 9, waited 2 hrs, and, quite disgusted, was reaching for the ignition when he pulled in.....whew!My inclination is to roll over the mystery plane to a collector, if its worth what I suspect it might be, and use the proceeds to acquire user tools. We shall see.Thanks again for your help, neighbor.
Bruce,
Man what a haul you made! Sounds like you have some nice iron to play with this winter. Best of luck and don't be bashful if we can be of help.
a very nice Millers Falls #9 smoother
Oh fettle that gem and you'll have a great time. I have my grandfathers, passed down to my father and then me. Also have a #15, thanks to JFrostJr (Frosty) and they are my go to planes.
At the WIA conference last month I bought a LV LA Jack and block plane. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh those are nice! Been using the #78 quite a bit lately and have fettled it so it works very well. At least I think does......... I hope a shoulder plane is in the near future. Yo Santa!
Resizing with Irfanview is really easy so if you need help with that email me. Do a Google search for it, it's a free download.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 11/26/2009 8:33 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
The MF has been pickled, fettling yet to come. She's a beauty. I expect it will be my go-to as well.LV LA block - this was the one that gave me my "planing epiphany" - what a great tool! Till then I had been struggling with a couple of junk store #4's - a Fulton and a Sargent that I tried to bring back to life, and probably ruined, if they weren't too far gone already, and an old Craftsman block that would go out of adjustment every time you turned around.Have since acquired a couple of Stanley Baileys that I'm still learning with - #s 4 + 5. I too covet a good shoulder plane. Just got a Stanley #90, and I've made it do a few things, like glue cleanup, but have been frustrated at other - mostly test-type cuts. Couldn't be me, could it?I'll check out Irfanview when I get the chance.Happy Turkey day!
Testing, testing.Have downloaded Irfanview, resized to recommended dimensions, and will post a different image.
Bruce,
Bravo! Looks like you're getting into it.
With the move to the new Knots happening, maybe tomorrow, we may have to learn a new method for posting pics on Knots. Just when you thought it was safe.......
Not to worry dude, I'm sure we'll figgur it all out.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
It kinda looks like some sort of transition plane. I've got 3 but they don't look like yours. More on the size of a jack and not coffin shaped. The tote is really different. I wonder if it inhibits control, it being so far back and outboard of the body?
Bet it's tempting to take her for a spin but would need some work first, and there goes the value if it's a collector........
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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