Plane advice

[mccormicksm]

Anybody got any recommendations for a jack plane that doesn't cost as much as an electric plane and performs better than the junk lowes sells?

Thanks
Mac

 

[DaveO]

I would recommend looking about for a good user Stanley #5, it's the standard Jack plane used for surfacing rough stock. I am sure you could find one in good condition for much less than an electric plane, and I have only found Lowe's to carry a plastic handled Stanley #4 and standard angle block plane (have both )

Dave

 

[DaveO]

BTW, welcome to the site, thanks for posting. Please offer a brief intro to yourself and woodworking interests in the "Who We Are" forum. I am sure than Monty will be along soon to give you good information on your plane options...I'm still just learning ;-)

Dave

 

[Monty]

Welcome! Good advice from DaveO. Look around at tool sales like the MWTCA meeting that is taking place tomorrow - a great source for old hand planes that are much better quality than the Lowe's style planes, and cheaper too! Ebay is another source, but only if you really know what you're looking for and how much it's really worth. You will also see some members here sell some tools from time to time - best I can tell the deals have always been fair. Good luck, and let us know what you decide on!

 

[D L Ames]

Yeap.......once again some great advice given here. I am heading to the MWTCA meeting tomorrow in hopes of finding a good deal on a #40 scrub plane and maybe a #5, #6 and #7.

Ditto the welcome comment too. I hope you will take the time to introduce yourself in the "Who We Are" forum as Dave recommended.

D L

 

[mccormicksm]

Thanks for the advice. Ran through a bunch of antique stores and one flea market (flea markets just ain't what they used to be) today and finally found an antique store that was mostly old tools. Picked up a stanley No 5 jack plane for 35 bucks that was in fairly good condition (all the parts that were supposed to move did). Got it home started the clean up process and now I have a nice spare parts plane. Did I lose anybody there? Lets just say I'll do a better job of prepping my work area next time.

 

[Monty]

Ouch! That's gotta be record time! What happened, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[mccormicksm]

cracked the sole right at the mouth. I sharpened the blade some and put it together and gave it a test drive and it still pruduces shavings but it's pretty flexible now so I doubt it's much good at it's intended purpose.

 

[sapwood]

cracked the sole right at the mouth. I sharpened the blade some and put it together and gave it a test drive and it still pruduces shavings but it's pretty flexible now so I doubt it's much good at it's intended purpose.

Ouch! Genuinely sorry about that. :-(
I've found the MWTCA meets a great place for plane shopping . . . especially if you are lucky enough to have one of the pros like OzzieX or Willarda to keep you out of trouble. :lol: In fact, my next woodworking purchase is a MWTCA membership :mrgreen:

Roger

 

[junquecol]

Anybody going toward Havlock this week? I have a #5 body, no works that needs to be transported to Havlock. I can drop (BAD CHOICE OF WORDS) it at Woodcraft on Monday if some one can get it to Havlock. Bruce Wrenn