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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Do we realy need one? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1084132509 Message started by woodentop on May 9^th, 2004, 8:55pm

Title: Do we realy need one?
Post by woodentop on May 9^th, 2004, 8:55pm

I have been watching a prog about these hand made planes selling for the hundred's of pounds.
Nice tools in various colours of metal.
You can use them straight from the box, or so they say........
They demonstrated end grain being planed on hard wood, and people at a show where they were demonstrating were astounded that this could be achieved
......but I can do the same with my Fathers old Stanley
is it realy necessary to pay so much????.

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by big_all on May 10^th, 2004, 9:06am

heellloooeee w t

i think most peoples dealings with hand planes

are grandads old rusty plane in the shed

so blunt it wouldnt cut cheese

its hardly surprising they are properly surprised

by a sharp tooool

may be they will associate shiny colours with sharpness

and pay silly amount rather than sharpen

granpapys ole plane ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by woodsmith on May 10^th, 2004, 10:50pm

Hi woodentop, I don't know exactly which planes you are talking about but they are probably made by Lie Nielsen in America. Some of his planes are based on old designs from Stanley. So if you have an old plane in good condition and SHARP then it is possibly as good as one of his.

However if you are buying a new plane then those from the likes of Clifton and Lie Nielsen are in a different league to those now badged Stanley or Record.

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by Dewy on May 10^th, 2004, 11:07pm

It was probably a plane made in this country.
For the moment the name eludes me but they are about �1600 each. Unlike most planes bought in boxes that need proper sharpenning & tuning, these work correctly when bought.
As was said ' A tool that doesn't work straight out of the box isn't a tool it's a kit.'

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by woodsmith on May 11^th, 2004, 8:26am

Dewy, Lie Nielsen work straight out of the box, the Cliftons need to have a very thick coating of wax removed before use but that is all.

I was told the Clifton factory flooded and a lot of the stock was ruined; and that is why they all come waxed.

Both these makers produce absolutely fabulous tools and worth the cost, but �1600 :o

I would like to see one, I bet it was on Sky :D

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by johnjin on May 11^th, 2004, 1:36pm

Hi Keith
I think Holtey is the one that Dewy is trying to think of.
But he would have to double or treble his price. >:(
Have a look at this site. ::)
http://www.holteyplanes.com/
What do you reckon Dewy

All the best

John

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by woodsmith on May 11^th, 2004, 5:37pm

Thanks for the link John, these planes look incredible, but I suspect they will end up on a shelf.

Can't quite imagine using one and the ergonomics look suspect.

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by Dewy on May 11^th, 2004, 5:55pm

Fancy me forgetting his name.
It was Karl Holtey I was thinking about whose planes cost �1600.
That's a lot of money for a hand tool but the best cost more than a mass produced tool that needs tuning.
I can only pray to win the lottery one day to be able to afford such kit. ;)

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by mr_spanton on May 26^th, 2004, 11:45pm

I agree Woodentop & Big all
I got a record 2 1/2" smoother plane from the local car boot sale-flat, square, thick casting, no cracks, rosewood handles. It had been looked after apart from a bit of surface rust. Bargain at �7.00 I don't know if the bloke knew how much a new one would cost.
Once it was lapped a bit on emery and glass, then iron polished ground and honed it was restored.
I am constantly improving on sharpening technique and can get thin joined up shavings off of end grain with it.
A better iron would improve things even more.
I can't see the point of those swiss disposable planes
Mr Spanton

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by Dewy on May 29^th, 2004, 3:49am

Keith. Haven't you seen the Holtey planes before?
I think it was John Revell in the 'Johns Workshop' or 'The Workshop John Built' series on H&L where he went into Karl Holteys workshop seeing how they are all hand made. He used to hand file dovetails in the gun metal & steel holding the sides to the sole plate. Now he has developed a different way to hold them.
You can clearly see the dovetails on his website.

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by woodsmith on May 29^th, 2004, 10:51am

Dewy, remember I don't have Sky so I am out of the loop for this sort of thing. I have seen the web site and these planes do look fantastic but I do wonder who buys them? Probably collectors not woodworkers.

Title: Re: Do we realy need one?
Post by mr_spanton on May 29^th, 2004, 2:48pm

Jim Kingshott's book "Making and modifying woodworking tools" is full of advice about building your own dovetailed metal infill planes chariot planes etc as well as screwdrivers and other stuff. Shows how to tune tools. Very excellent.
Mr Spanton