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).