Hartville Planes?

[adauria]

Does anyone have an opinion or experience with planes from Hartville Tools, like this one?

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11757

If they are decent, they seem like a lot of bang for the buck (even at the pre-closeout price)

-Andrew

[Hoover]

Well the prices are good, but doesn't mean the planes are. I am not sure of the brand, but I believe they are Anant planes. You might want to google that brand for people who have experience with them.

[adauria]

Thanks Hoover, will do!

-Andrew

[Knottscott]

Andrew - There are tons of great deals on very nice older planes, that are likely to have better metallurgy and better machining...not to mention that they're dripping with nostalgia of years gone by. Not so much with a plane from India or China...

I've got several Baileys, Records, and Millers Falls planes that work very nicely, are in great shape, and most of which were pretty inexpensive.

[adauria]

I keep going back and forth. The issue I have with buying an older plane is setup. I know nothing about how to check and set up any plane, let alone something bordering on antique.

Can someone recommend a good seller of "ready to work" older planes?

-Andrew

[LarryG]

I keep going back and forth. The issue I have with buying an older plane is setup. I know nothing about how to check and set up any plane, let alone something bordering on antique.

Ah, but that's part of why Scott is recommending an older plane. You'll need to learn to do that even with a brand new one. And given the questionable quality of some of the current, inexpensive planes, the "antiques" might actually be easier to set up.

[Hoover]

This link has a lot of info, you might want to check out of 2nd section.
http://home.pacbell.net/paulcomi/Spe...and_planes.htm

[Knottscott]

Ah, but that's part of why Scott is recommending an older plane. You'll need to learn to do that even with a brand new one. And given the questionable quality of some of the current, inexpensive planes, the "antiques" might actually be easier to set up.

Yeah...the vast majority of planes will need some setup. Many of the older planes have already been fettled once upon a time, so it's often just a matter of sharpening. No guarantees though. You're very likely to need to flatten an inexpensive new plane....one of my concerns is that they won't hold settings well.

[adauria]

Great link, Hoover - thanks!

Great advice folks, too. I am going to get me an older plane.

-Andrew

[pelligrini]

Getting an old one (sometimes even cheap new ones) into shape can be a lot of work depending on the condition, but the satisfaction and learning is well worth it. I recently brought a really rusty Stanley/bailey #3 back to life. The iron was nicked and chipped something terrible, the sole wasn't too bad but it still needed some flattening. It is no where near being a shiny collectors piece, but it is a pleasure to use now.