High price tools

[srp]

If you want to spend money on a plane, then try http://www.holteyplanes.com/prices.html
Lie Nielsen planes are cheap by comparison. In fact. like a lot of seemingly expensive tools, they are cheap in the long run. I have a few expensive tools (including a Lie Nielsen plane, as well as some power tools) that I really had to think hard about before buying, but they have made me money by producing an accurate and high quality finish.

 

[andygc]

you my friend are wrong. i have Stanley i trained 48 yrs ago as a" Carpenter & Joiner" the adjustments available on the expensive tools such as the one mentioned are far & away beyond that, that is required for normal woodwork. these are specialists tools for fine work

Just out of curiosity, could you explain what adjustments it has that my Stanley does not?

Edited - Belay that question, I've just been to their website and the answer is "None". It has the same adjustments - after all, it is a copy of a Stanley design. The only adjustment that is better is that the frog can be adjusted without removing the blade. I am sure it is more accurately made, maybe has less backlash in the adjusting screw (but still has some-they say so), and doesn't need to have the leading edge of the chipbreaker honed (because it has already been back-bevelled) or the mouth filed smooth. You also don't need to know how to hone a plane iron when you buy it because it is ready-honed in the box - that'll be good for a couple of hours on teak or iroko.

I agree that they are specialist tools, I agree that they are fine quality, and I also continue to think that Bosun Higgs is completely wrong. If you want the best quality plane you have to pay a lot for it, simply because the maker makes accurate castings using high quality materials and has done most of the fettling for you - and fettling takes time, so it costs money. If you are patient you can fettle a much cheaper plane and get it to a state where it will perform as well as, or nearly as well as, these Lie-Nielsens - but it does take time.

 

[sailorman]

the main difference would be the adjustable mouth that will stop the grain being plucked-up therefore very fine shavings can be removed ( similar the the stanley 91/2 block plane ) & flat soles with fine grinding.
these tools are also hand made from high quality materials unlike most mass production tool, try & buy a new chisel that holds an edge, most seem to be made from water bar

 

[andygc]

Sailorman

You replied while I was editing my question!

It depends which version of Stanley plane you have - mine has the adjustable frog. The really cheap Stanley is a one-piece casting.

Cheers, Andy

 

[sailorman]

Sailorman

You replied while I was editing my question!

It depends which version of Stanley plane you have - mine has the adjustable frog. The really cheap Stanley is a one-piece casting.

Cheers, Andy

most " Bailey " type planes have an adjustable frog with a fixed mouth slot

 

[Humblebee]

Tools for Africa

it has i reckon an adjustable mouth that is mainly for cabinet makers.
the shoulder plane prices are good i must have £0,000s worth of tools

I had a lot oftools too,and then inheritedmore from my father in law, a retired joiner.
I've kept his original plane, bought by him in 1936 when he started his apprenticeship, and gave most of the rest, and my own surplus, to a charity which refurbishes tools and sends them to Africa, Malawi I believe. Cleared my garage and my conscience at the same time and having spent time in Africa I know how tools are valued.

 

[Amulet]

For my money Axminster are just about the most useful tool suppliers there are. If you want a "normal" plane they'll sell you a normal plane. If you want a cheap plane they'll sell you a cheap plane. They have an amazing range of tools including their own cheapish labels. They have staff who'll answer the phone and tell you the difference between two tools, and they'll get them to you quickly if you order on the web.

I wore out two jigsaws, explained it to one of their tech guys and he told me just how far enough up market I'd have to go to get one that would suit my needs. It is in it's seventh year, as opposed to about a year for each of the others.

A lovely woman spent ages explaining the different abrasives to me. I didn't even know that girls were interested in such things - could've changed my life.

All my planes are second hand - but I do have a lovely spokeshave from Axminster.

I wish I drove past them every day!

 

[mitiempo]

Amulet
You're right - money spent for good tools is not a waste. There's nothing worse than trying to do a good job with inferior tools. But not everybody needs Lie-Nielsen planes - they pass from good into the exotic category. She could have changed my life too.

 

[sailorman]

Have they one of these

For my money Axminster are just about the most useful tool suppliers there are. If you want a "normal" plane they'll sell you a normal plane. If you want a cheap plane they'll sell you a cheap plane. They have an amazing range of tools including their own cheapish labels. They have staff who'll answer the phone and tell you the difference between two tools, and they'll get them to you quickly if you order on the web.

I wore out two jigsaws, explained it to one of their tech guys and he told me just how far enough up market I'd have to go to get one that would suit my needs. It is in it's seventh year, as opposed to about a year for each of the others.

A lovely woman spent ages explaining the different abrasives to me. I didn't even know that girls were interested in such things - could've changed my life.

All my planes are second hand - but I do have a lovely spokeshave from Axminster.

I wish I drove past them every day!

 

[Amulet]

Lovely tool.

Axminster's spokeshaves go from these to these, which seems pretty good to me. If you want to make a traditional wooden spokeshave they'll sell you a kit of parts.

I have no relationship with them apart from that of a longstanding and extremely satisfied customer.

 

[sailorman]

This fine Spokeshave is on my sideboard

Lovely tool.

Axminster's spokeshaves go from these to these, which seems pretty good to me. If you want to make a traditional wooden spokeshave they'll sell you a kit of parts.

I have no relationship with them apart from that of a longstanding and extremely satisfied customer.

inherited some yrs ago along with 2 chests full of moulding planes & other assorted tools, we have used some

 

[john_morris_uk]

Wow! I just looked at the Holtey hand made planes. Stunning - but I think I'll stick with my Bosch power plane and my old Stanley smoothing, block planes and a router. I am an occasional woodworker and not someone who will ever be buying a plane (beautiful or not) for £2500+

Interesting that he notes that many people who own his planes are Lawyers, Doctors and Dentists etc. He also admits in his blog that there are '... a few professional cabinet makers' who use his planes.

 

[Bobobolinsky]

I'm not always on ebay, sometimes I go to household and dispersal auctions and I have some fine tools, some costing as much as £10