Hello,

Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes
that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12203

Would this be a good beginner's set? How good of an assortment is it?

It seems to me that one could learn how to use and tune them up without the
fear of ruining an expensive set of (Brand name) planes?

Thanks in advance to those who post a reply.

Peter.

Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

I don't know anything about that particular set, but given the price
and lack of a brand name, I'd say they're definitely not top-quality
planes, and cheaply-made planes CAN be frusterating to use. As a
beginner, I'd also hesitate to put money towards a large set of planes
- instead, I'd look for a good-quality used smooth or jack plane and
spend some quality time with that. It would probably be better quality
than a new made-in-china-special, and once you get used to it, you can
decide whether you want to spend more money on better quality planes,
what sizes/types you'll probably use most, etc.
There are a couple dealers of good used planes - search the archives
here for names. From my limited knowledge, Stanley planes made before
WWII are good quality and can be had for not too much money. (Maybe
$50-80 for a smoother in good shape?) Or you can try eBay if you want
to take your chances there. That might give you a cheaper plane, but a
dedicated dealer would be able to tell you a lot more about a plane and
how much work ("fettling") would be required to get it in good working
order.
For an alternative to metal planes, Steve Knight is a regular poster
here who hand-makes excellent-quality wood planes. He posted a little
while ago about a sale on his planes, and you might be able to talk him
into giving you a discount on your first one. He's also good about
answering questions about use and care of his planes.
Hope this helps,
Andy

Andy wrote:
Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

I don't know anything about that particular set, but given the price
and lack of a brand name, I'd say they're definitely not top-quality
planes, and cheaply-made planes CAN be frusterating to use. ...

You can probably ask Hartville who makes those planes.

My guess would be Anant, an Indian company. Their planes
have a reputation for being rough in regards to fit and finish
but relatively robust, which makes them salvagable with
sufficient fettling and the substitution of a good cutting
iron. Planes that are lightweight in construction are
simply not salvagable.

The exception may be the block plane. If the adjustable
mouth is not machined well it may be beyond fixing.

Offhand I recommend buying old Stanley, Sargent, Union,
Millers Falls, etc one at a time. Typically the totes
will be better (more comfortable) than on any new planes,
especially the Type 11 and earlier Stanleys (and maybe a
few later types as well.)

--

FF

On 17 Apr 2006 09:48:52 -0700, wrote:

Andy wrote:
Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

I don't know anything about that particular set, but given the price
and lack of a brand name, I'd say they're definitely not top-quality
planes, and cheaply-made planes CAN be frusterating to use. ...

You can probably ask Hartville who makes those planes.

My guess would be Anant, an Indian company.

They are Anant planes, I just bought th #7 jointer and #4 smoother
from them as experimental tools. After sharpening the irons scary
sharp they do make light fluffy curls, beyond that I have not played
much with them.

Mark
(sixoneeight) = 618

There is nothing more frustrating than using a poor quality or
"average" quality hand plane. You will frustrate yourself. Don't take
the lure that you can tune, fettle, flatten, and whip these into decent
planes. This type of tuneup can be a lot of work. Spend $69 on a Lee
Valley apron plane and amaze yourself at how such a tiny thing can do
so much so well. This will give you the taste of how useful a hand
plane can be. Then save your coins to buy a smoother or a jack or
start watching for used old stanleys.

I'd rather have 1 or 2 really useful good planes than a boatload of
cheap "beginner's" planes.

Bob

Peter Bogiatzidis wrote:
Hello,

Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes
that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12203

Would this be a good beginner's set? How good of an assortment is it?

It seems to me that one could learn how to use and tune them up without the
fear of ruining an expensive set of (Brand name) planes?

By the time you get through fixing them all just right, you'll be an
expert.

Check out Jeff Gorman's pages on planes if you do this:

URL:http://www.amgron.clara.net/planingpoints/planefettling/fettling.htm

er
--
email not valid

Peter Bogiatzidis wrote:

Would this be a good beginner's set? How good of an assortment is it?

It seems to me that one could learn how to use and tune them up without the
fear of ruining an expensive set of (Brand name) planes?


I have to add that I've had mixed results buying cheapo planes: I bought
a rinky dink block plane from the BORG and got it to make fine shavings,
and I got a (buck) jack plane that I gave up trying to fix because of
the concavity in the bed. It's okay for scrubbing wood (and that's what
I'm using it fo until Steve's scrubber I ordered arrives
thankyouverymuch Mr. Knight) but for fine work it can't be adjusted
properly: it's either too much or not at all. The bow front to back is
so bad I only sanded a quarter inch or so near the toe and heel in a
half hour on the surface plate. I got bored with that and found a
mis-categorized Stanley #5 type 19 on ebay for $10. (heh, that's so
drive-by

er
--
email not valid

Hello,

Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes
that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12203

Would this be a good beginner's set? How good of an assortment is it?

It seems to me that one could learn how to use and tune them up without the
fear of ruining an expensive set of (Brand name) planes?

Thanks in advance to those who post a reply.

Peter.



I would never buy that set ... they're not even Anants. No doubt Chinese....
what are those boats called?

See the chromed lever cap? The Anant ones say 'Anant' on them. And I might
buy an Anant. If you need to spend less like I do, just buy the old Stanleys on
the bay. I got several beauties from there at really decent prices. You'll want to
learn to tune them, lessons for that are many on the 'net. Then there's new blades
to consider.

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Peter,

Some of the best advice about planes that I ever got from the group was from
one old-timer that told me to purchase a used #4 Stanley and rework it.

Here's the rules:

1. Take a $20 bill and go to the flea markets which will be opening soon on
the east coast.
2. Take a straight-edge with you to use as a reference if you can't trust
your eye.
3. Look for old planes and then find a Stanley #4 or #5. It may be rusty but
look to see that all the parts are there and there's no major damage or
broken parts. Look at the sides near the mouth very closely. These planes
had the bad habit of cracking and you may see a previous repair (brazing).
4. Check it over to see if the sole is "reasonably" flat. You'll be
flattening it using Scary Sharp methods. Select the best one you can find.
5. Negotiate the price down - no matter what it is, pointing out the rust,
paint splashes, etc. Buy lunch with change from the $20.

At our local flea markets, #4's are not a rarity and $15-$20 will buy you a
decent plane that will give many years of pleasure using it after you rework
it and make it yours. You'll learn much from the experience and even if it
turns out to be junk when you get it home, you're not out of luck - just
consider it as spare parts for the next and better #4 you go looking for.
You're looking for a user - not a collectible but should you find one that
is in pristine condition and the price fits your wallet - grab it.

Another already gave this URL
http://www.amgron.clara.net/planingp...g/fettling.htm for
reworking the plane but I think this is about the best site around for
learning about planes http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

Read this site but here is info on the #4 Stanley and go from there
http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan1.htm#num4

I've purchased a couple of well-used but highly useable #4's and #5's and
although I use my #90 Stanley more often - they are great planes and a
pleasure to use. Several projects I've done, I used the hand planes just for
the hell of it to enjoy the peace and quite and did not use my planer or
jointer. I'm definitely a Normite and not a Neander but have to admit,
learning how to use planes and reworking them was and is enjoyable.

But to answer your question - haven't a clue about how good six planes for
$159 would be but consider that price will barely purchase one high-quality
plane such as this one
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,41182,48944

Also consider block planes
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...88&cat=1,41182 as being
extremely useful..... and then there's the
low-angle block planes
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...89&cat=1,41182 and then
there's ........well, you get the idea.

This is a slippery slope and you'll eventually own "several" planes but
start out as I and many others have and enjoy the learning experience. Then
you can spend all your extra cash at www.leevalley.com on tool porn.

Bob S.

Thread drift: I've never found much use for a number four. Anything smaller
than number 5 size, I use a block plane for.

CW wrote:
Thread drift: I've never found much use for a number four. Anything smaller
than number 5 size, I use a block plane for.

Have you tried a 2 or 3? Very nice sized planes.

R

No, I haven't but would like to. Don't really see how they would be any
better than my block plane but would be interesting.

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
CW wrote:
Thread drift: I've never found much use for a number four. Anything
smaller
than number 5 size, I use a block plane for.

Have you tried a 2 or 3? Very nice sized planes.

R

CW wrote:
"RicodJour" wrote in message

CW wrote:
Thread drift: I've never found much use for a number four. Anything
smaller
than number 5 size, I use a block plane for.

Have you tried a 2 or 3? Very nice sized planes.

No, I haven't but would like to. Don't really see how they would be any
better than my block plane but would be interesting.

Block planes are incredibly, ahem, handy, but the way you have to hold
them isn't necessarily the optimum. Have you seen Patrick Leach's
block plane handle? http://www.supertool.com/bphandle.htm This, from
that page, sums it up well: "Let's face it, there are times when we all
would like to use a plane that's normally gripped with one hand in a
two-handed manner, but find that the plane's size just won't permit a
comfortable grip, nor a grip that affords any real control of the
tool."

Similarly a 2 or 3 lets you handle a small plane with two hands for
greater control. The tote allows you to keep your hand square behind
the plane in a much more ergonomic and comfortable position. Most of
the time it's not the skew angle of the plane, but the tilt and/or
downward pressure that is the primary concern. The tote is far
superior for the first and the two handles help with the second.

R

RicodJour wrote:


Block planes are incredibly, ahem, handy, but the way you have to hold
them isn't necessarily the optimum. Have you seen Patrick Leach's
block plane handle? http://www.supertool.com/bphandle.htm

Lee Valley sells a similar handle for Veritas planes.

Lee Valley sells a similar handle for Veritas planes.


I have that, and the front knob. Problem is.. it becomes next to impossible to
adjust the blade nice and accurately with it on there, and a serious pain to remove
it and put it and put it back on again just for that purpose. It can get rediculous.

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:13:42 GMT, "Peter Bogiatzidis"
wrote:

Does anyone in the group have any thoughts on the following set of planes
that Hartville Tool is selling for $159.00?

Why would a beginner want 6 planes?

Three planes - #4, #5 and a block. A budget of $50 each lets me walk
into my local high street antique tool dealer and buy each of these as
top quality old Stanley Sweethearts in "hone and go" condition.

$10 each gets me an eBay bottom-feeder that's perfectly usable after a
couple of evenings' fettling.

$150 for 6 is a good deal by bulk, but "$150 to start out" could be
spent far better than this.

If they're Anant or equivalent, run a mile.