Has anyone bought a Buck Brothers plane? This is the brand of generics that HD uses - coping saws, levels, etc. They have a few planes that do not look that shabby. I was looking at a 14" jack plane that I would use for rough-planing long boards to approx. thickness before using the very nice Stanley 4 1/2 I have. At $35 + $10 for sharpening, it is much cheaper than a scrub plan ($150+) but I did not want to waste that money if they were horrible units. Has anyone used one? Thanks!
-
-
I see Stanley Bailey #40 scrub planes going in the $35-$40 range frequently. Can't help but think you'd be better off with a proven entity.Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.
-
You can get Groz @ Woodcraft for less money, and end up with actually decent planes. I have a Buck Bros #4 and it keeps falling apart to the point it is unusable. It was given to me, now I know why...
I did a hands on demo of the Wood Rivers, and they are really nice, especially for the money. Nothing lose or ratling on them. I asked the guy doing the demo what sort of prep work they did tuning etc... and he says they simply flattened the bottom, sharpened the iron, and adjusted everything up...Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.Comment
-
Guess the Buck Bros is out. It is still cheaper than the Groz, but I guess not by much.
Yeah, I would love to get my hands on one. I hit up garage sales and craigslist all the time, but have only found a 4 1/2. Would love a scrub and a real jointer, 20" or more, just need to find one.I see Stanley Bailey #40 scrub planes going in the $35-$40 range frequently. Can't help but think you'd be better off with a proven entity.Comment
-
I have the 14" Buck Jack Plane. I have used it to plane a door down but it was only pine. I've used it on Oak and Ash as well but I don't have much of a reference to compare it too. I prefer my tools with a plug on them.GaryComment
-
I bought a buck bros block plane 5 years ago, and used it for 2 years. Or rather, struggled to use it; struggled to align it; could never manage to get the blade to stay where it should, nor the the knob to turn when it should. I could never manage to really 'plane' anything - it was either gouging, or skimming the surface. Maybe I had a particularly bad piece, or maybe I was a particularly bad hand. Dunno.
Then somebody just handed over an old stanley 60 1/2 to me. Revelation! I remember kissing it the first time I used it
!
I still have that buck bros. Just to remind me what a difference bad design or execution can make.Last edited by radhak; 06-28-2009, 07:44 PM.It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
- AristotleComment
-
Yes. Complete and utter trash (should call them BS Brothers). Even a current Stanley is better (which is also utter trash), and that's a far cry from what a plane should be.
Keep trying the estate sales, flea markets, ebay, etc. Even try your local antique store. You can get a used acceptable wooden plane for $50 or less at a flea market/swap meet, which is loads better than a Buck Brothers.
If you have the money, a plane from either LeeValley or Lie-Nelson is worth the outlay. But a 20" jointer from either of them is major moola, but yowzas, it is nice to use.Comment
-
Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.Comment
-
Buck Bros planes leave much to be desired. Buck Bros, years ago made good chisels, but that was a long time ago. Older Stanley, Millers Falls, Keen Kutter made good quality planes. You are much better off going to second hand stores, or thrift shops to find a decent plane.No good deed goes unpunishedComment
-
Buck Bros Planes
I picked up a real nice pre-war Stanley Bailey #5 with corragated sole Sun at a local flea market for $10.00. Look around they are out there.
JamesCredidi me felem vidisse!Comment
-
Lo and behold, the Pittsburgh Craigslist had a #5 and #7 show up over the weekend so my Dad went to look and bought them for yesterday. $10 and $45 respectively. The #7 was owned by a master carpenter so it is in very good condition. The #5 has a slight chip on the mouth but it behind the iron, should still be a nice plane.
I cannot bring myself to buy these things on ebay. I have to check them out myself; I have seen too many people use someone else's photo for their own barely-cared-for items.I see these (Stanley #40) on eBay quite often.Comment
Comment