Seeking OLD woodworking hand tool buying advice from the 'Bay

masraum · 10-05-2024, 07:30 PM

I need/want a set of "hollow and round" planes that cut an arc that's 1/2" diameter circle.

If I was in New England, they seem to have old tools everywhere, and they're often cheap. In my neck of the woods, they aren't common, so most of my purchases have to be done remotely.

Folks in NE have told me that they'd expect to pay $10-15 each for these things. And those are available. Another guy told me "they are rare where I live, so when I buy them, I have to wait for a great deal like that or pay more if I need/want something sooner when it's available. (supply and demand).

This is my dilemna. I've purchased 3 planes so far, but they all cut an arc that's for a circle of too small a radius. I've been lucky, I think to only pay about $12 ea.

There's an auction that ends Sun morning (Oct 6) for a set of AC Bartlet #1 for $36. AC Bartlet planes were made by Sandusky, and the Sandusky #1 are supposed to be for 1/2" diameter circle. What that means is that the cutter should be 1/4" wide, because the cutters are supposed to cut a 60º arc which means that the cutter should be equal to the radius of the circle. I messaged the seller to ask how big the cutters are and he responded with "The plane irons measure 1/8 inch at the cutting edges." which should make them too small. I also wonder since he responded in just a few mins, if he measured or if he mentally though 'they are no 1, and that's usually 1/8" so I'll just tell them they're 1/8"' But the numbering scheme varied somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer. The $36 price wouldn't be too bad. I could live with that, especially to get a matching set.

Then, there's another auction for a set of Greenfield #2s. That seller wants $80 (which seems positively insane, especially considering that Greenfield was a very common maker, so it's not like they're rare or anything special). I asked the seller about the width of the cutters, and they responded with photos. The cutters look a little wide, but the planes look correct, so I suspect the cutters are just a bit wide, but
The Greenfield catalog says "No 2 works a 1/4 circle" which is not very clear.

These have been for sale for quite a while. I'd be willing to pay $40 for them if they were the right size, but who knows if the guy will accept a 50% "best offer"

So thoughts? Should I roll the dice on the pair that ends tomorrow morning and assume that everything is original and as described in the catalog? Or should I try to see if the other guy will take 50% of his asking price or does anyone else have any other thoughts (besides getting a router bit and using a power tool).

gregpark · 10-05-2024, 07:49 PM

Do a search on eBay? I've found some out of the ordinary stuff there

masraum · 10-05-2024, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregpark

Do a search on eBay? I've found some out of the ordinary stuff there

Yeah, that's where these two auctions are. I've done LOTS of searching on eBay, and that's where I've found these. The larger H&R planes are pretty common, but the small ones are less common, especially hollows. And the prices vary from $10-60 per plane. It's insane.

Bill Douglas · 10-05-2024, 10:29 PM

Not immediate, but if you are looking for quality and a bargain at the same time check out estate auctions and garage sales. A lot of old fellas have these and the people winding up their estate just want them gone - not that they actually know what they are.

masraum · 10-06-2024, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Not immediate, but if you are looking for quality and a bargain at the same time check out estate auctions and garage sales. A lot of old fellas have these and the people winding up their estate just want them gone - not that they actually know what they are.

I think I'd have to visit a lot of estate sales worth of junk to find what I'm looking for. But yes, I think you can pick these up for pennies on the dollar that way.

masraum · 10-06-2024, 06:03 AM

I put an offer of $40 in on the guy selling the Greenfields for $80. I also sent him a note explaining why. He responded with an offer of $60 and the following, "Thank you for the information on shipping I will take your advice on that but the problem is I am almost in $40 so I can't sell them for that the 60 I will probably break almost even with eBay fees so I'm willing to do that but I can't go down to 40"

masraum · 10-06-2024, 06:34 AM

I think both sets are probably the "right size". I think the cheaper set has probably been "restored" by the guy selling them. I suspect he sharpened the irons and ruined the contour that they cut. I could restore that contour through some work and trial and error.

I think the other guy bought the expensive set, and paid too much, or at least too much for someone that wants to flip them. But I don't think he's dicked around with them, and I think they are in pristine condition. I may just bite the bullet to get the pristine set at $60. If I was wrong, then I'm sure I'll be able to go back and buy the other set later.

pwd72s · 10-06-2024, 02:36 PM

Many of ebay sales are by people who do put in the legwork of garage and estate sales, scouring craigslist ads, etc.

Bill Douglas · 10-06-2024, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

I think I'd have to visit a lot of estate sales worth of junk to find what I'm looking for. But yes, I think you can pick these up for pennies on the dollar that way.

Actually my comment was a form of confession. My granddad had this piece of equipment and quite a bit of other stuff from the era and I burnt just about everything. I don't feel good about it at all. It was all at my mom's farm and after she died what the hell was I going to do with all the stuff. So I offered it all to friends and neighbours charity etc. Then I moved everything into a big hole in the ground, tipped a 44 gallon drum of old diesel over it all and burnt it. 23 years ago and I've still got the best of my mom's stuff in the attic which I've never looked at since. Baz will know what I'm talking about.

look 171 · 10-06-2024, 08:27 PM

Steve, I am going to buy your a couple of router bits and if you don't have a router, I will buy you one too

I have seen those at the local swapmeet years ago from a bunch of guys selling junk. I haven't been to one in a very long time so there's that.

masraum · 10-07-2024, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Steve, I am going to buy your a couple of router bits and if you don't have a router, I will buy you one too

LOL. No, you've done more than enough already!
I do have an OLD router that was my grandfather's. Something like this

Quote:

I have seen those at the local swapmeet years ago from a bunch of guys selling junk. I haven't been to one in a very long time so there's that.

Yeah, I'm just not aware of any swap meets around here. Maybe I should find a big flea market and take a look one weekend just in case.

look 171 · 10-07-2024, 09:40 AM

Those old Stanley router I used back in my high school woodshop. The dome top makes them easy to handle when cutting hinge gains hanging doors. They don't make them like that anymore and plus, who hangs door nowdays? They are all junk pre hung. No one seems to know how to hang a door anymore

Good luck with those planes. using a plane is really satisfying to use when they are set up properly