Replies

1. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 11, 2009 07:00pm | #1

   I have both.  The LN is worth the xtra money. 

   Bob

1. 
   BrentD | Dec 11, 2009 07:03pm | #2

   Given what new planes cost, I have just bought and refurbished old Stanleys that I bought on Ebay. Way cheaper. They may not be LN quality, but they hold an edge and a setting and work very well.Brent

1. 
   joe53016 | Dec 11, 2009 07:16pm | #3

   I have done some looking on ebay for the old stanley's But how do you know your getting a good hand plane and not something that has a cracked sole the guy selling it may have missed. It just worrys me buying something that I can't hold in my hand before purchasing. ~Joe

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 11, 2009 07:25pm | #4

   Whle you will pay a few more bucks, look for e-bay sellers who have lots of good pictures.  Pass on the ones with just one or two fuzzy snap shots. 

   Ask questions.  Again, getting straightforwoard positve response may drive up the price a bit, but it also increases the confidence level.   

   Also look for high satisfaction ratings.  I haven't really sorted out how the changes to the system has worked out, but it always seemed that there were plenty of sellers with 99% + ratings that guys with lower ratings could be passed. 

    

2. 
   BrentD | Dec 11, 2009 07:29pm | #6

   Joe I just look for the good photos and ratings like Steve said. But heck if I did get burned (not yet, in 4 planes), I would still be money ahead. Of course, I've never used an LN plane so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe that is a good thing.

3. 
   mvflaim | Dec 11, 2009 08:35pm | #10

   Just try to look for ebay sellers who specialize in old tools. There are a bunch of them out there and the majority will describe the tool accurately with plenty of pictures.

   I just sold a Craftsman No 5 style plane in perfect shape for $10.50 last night. If it were a Stanley, I probably would have gotten at least $40.00, so there are plenty of deals out there.

   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360214863610&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT

   http://www.mvflaim.com

   Edited 12/11/2009 12:37 pm ET by mvflaim

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Dec 11, 2009 07:28pm | #5

   Holding a setting is, to a degree a matter of technique.  For example, blade depth is more solid if you advance the iron into the wood, not retract it.  (Why the advancing taks out lash from the mechanism leaving metal supporting the blade depth, not just the pressure from the cap.)  That's not to say that the new LNs and LVs don't have less lash manufactured in. 

1. 
   joe53016 | Dec 11, 2009 07:42pm | #8

   Steve, I would imagine holding a setting has a lot to do with set-up. I have tried numerous times to set up the plane that I have and for the 1 minute it holds up I really have a lot of fun using it. Btw it's a Great Neck plane from menards. (quite a waste of money) but thats how someone learns. I spent over and hour just flattening the surfaces. (even the sole) That helped a lot. I'm sure the paint removed helps on holding a setting. I'll do some searching on ebay maybe i can find a plane that has some character. I'll post some links see if I can get some opinions on what I'm looking at. ~Joe

1. 
   joe53016 | Dec 11, 2009 07:54pm | #9

   I just found this set.http://cgi.ebay.com/4-STANLEY-BAILEY-WOOD-HAND-PLANES-3-4-5-6_W0QQitemZ130350245290QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e597ae5aaThat would be a nice set...~Joe

3. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 11, 2009 07:32pm | #7

   Ultimately, I'm of the opinion that it depends on how you want to spend your time versus how you want to spend your money.

   As Brent points out, buying old planes and refurbishing them can be an economical solution. But, that approach pretty much assigns a zero value to the time involved - unless one just likes refurbing old planes (or, new, inexpensive ones).

   LN and LV plane are largely "sure things" - while others may be a crap shoot.

4. 
   gdblake | Dec 11, 2009 09:27pm | #11

   Joe:

   The new Stanley planes are a dissappointment and not worth the money.  For not too much more you can get an equivalent  Lee Valley plane that is actually a great tool.  As others have said, old Stanley's can be tuning to perform fairly well, though all the frogs are at 45 degrees bed angles.  A steeper bed is often needed for smoothing difficult hardwoods.  For full disclosure purposes, I own several old Stanley's, several Lie Nielsen's, and have made a few of my planes using the Krenov method of construction. 

   gdblake

5. 
   danmart | Dec 14, 2009 03:19am | #12

   My current planes are some real gems that never hold a setting...What can you expect from a $30 #4 plane.

   Joe

   You can take a nice old Stanley with good wooden handles and flatten the bottom in no time. Get a Hock blade and chipbreaker and have a killer tool.

   I have a #3 and #4 Stanley SW with Hock refits that sing like a bird. With skills, this tool will get it done.

   There are lots of debates on the merits of pulling a tool out of the box and doing work. Joy. In a month or so, it will need maintenance to restore the wonder. Take some time and get to know your tool. Its an extension of your hand and your eye. Its worth taking the time to get to know a tool and make it "your tool" when you use it.

   dan

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 14, 2009 06:00am | #13

   Agreed. One of my most used planes is an old Stanley #5 jack plane. I paid $15.00 for it, and took the time to tune it well, and I even replaced the iron with a Hock. It works perfectly. So much so, my wife bought me a new #5 from LN last Christmas. She went out to the shop to see what I didn't have,, and the #5 was the only LN tool missing. I never even took it out of the box, as I love my Stanley so much.Jeff