Founds Some Old Hand Planes

[jseklund]

Hi everyone, I haven't been hanging out here too much lately - no time for woodworking over the past 18 months - but hopefully some of you remember me. My grandmother was having a yard sale today and I was in her shed when I came across 4 old hand planes. She told me they belonged to her grandfather (she's 85!!). At any rate, I will take some photos later and put them up, but I need help in figuring out what these are exactly, and what they may be worth roughly.

One is a metal plane that says "Union No. 4" on it. I know this is very similar to the Stanley #4, but a little more difficult to find. Any idea of a value range? It's not in great shape - very dirty with some rust. The handle has a chip in it. I feel that I could clean it up and clean off the rust and it would be very useable though.

The other three are all wooden hand planes, 3 different lengths. One says "Greenfield Tool Co." and the other appears to say "Empire" or something along those lines. The wood has chips in it, but again - these could be repaired to useable condition I think. There are hardly any markings on these - so I can't find much online about them. What are your thoughts?

Any input is appreciated. I may keep these for my own use...or sell them if they are worth a lot so that my grandmother can have the cash. She probably would have sold them for $5 each at the yardsale, haha.

Thanks again.

[Tom Slick]

Can you post some pictures of them?

[Knottscott]

Pics would help a lot. Condition is a big factor in value. #4s are common, but Union is less common than Bailey and its a well regarded name. They're probably worth a lot more as family heirlooms. My Grandfather's Stanley 220 block plane is highly treasured but it's only worth $15.

[jseklund]

Alright, I'm going to try this - but I'm not sure how to upload photos. Here goes:



Thanks for the replies. Like I said - I will probably keep them, I'm not sure what they're worth...just curious and would sell them if they're worth enough that my grandmother should have the $$.

[Hoover]

The photo did not work for me, all I got was a red "X". The Union 4 is a good plane. An X4 is worth more money.

[Pappy]

Wooden planes don't carry a lot of value unless they are rare and in mint condition, and then only if you find a collector of that particular maker.

The metal planes like the Union and other brands were good planes that were shadowed by the Stanleys in numbers. Unfortunately the value reflects the same trend.

Keep them as a treasured heirloom.

[Knottscott]

Pics have to be loaded to your hard drive, and accessed using the "browse" feature in the "Manage Attachment" links. Or put on a hosting site like Photobucket (free), then copy the URL address into the apppropriate blank in the "Manage Attachment" link.

[cabinetman]

Do some research before letting them go for $5. Here's a Union on eBay for $550.
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[woodturner]

Here's a Union [/URL] on eBay for $550.
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That's asking price, which is essentially meaningless. He has been trying to sell it since July, with no success - inidicating that his price is too high.

Not sure what the real value of a Union #4 is, but the going rate around here seems to be $20 to $25 in very good condition. Maybe I should offer a couple to the person on Ebay ;-) I'd give them a bargain at only $225 ;-)

Ebay can be a good source of market information - IF you search completed auctions that actually sold for that specific item. For example, here is one that sold yesterday for $9.99 (Plus $10.50 shipping)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Bailey-No-4-...item5635c9efbc

[cabinetman]

That's asking price, which is essentially meaningless. He has been trying to sell it since July, with no success - inidicating that his price is too high.

That may not be an indicator that his price is too high. It may be that the plane is actually worth the asking price, but too rich for those that saw the ad. A likely comparison are vintage sports cars that go to auction (like Barrett-Jackson) for a 1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB or an original Shelby Cobra that will bring over a million dollars. Are they worth the money? Not to you if you don't have the budget or are not into collecting vintage cars. To the right person they are.

Not sure what the real value of a Union #4 is, but the going rate around here seems to be $20 to $25 in very good condition.

It's interesting that as rare as they are, there's enough Union 4's in your area for sale to have a "going rate".

Maybe I should offer a couple to the person on Ebay ;-) I'd give them a bargain at only $225 ;-)

Maybe you should do that. But first, take a picture of your Union 4's. It will make an interesting thread. Rare planes make for good discussion.

Ebay can be a good source of market information - IF you search completed auctions that actually sold for that specific item. For example, here is one that sold yesterday for $9.99 (Plus $10.50 shipping)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Bailey-No-4-...item5635c9efbc

I don't agree that's a good example. Baileys are more common than Unions. Besides, what an item finally sells for is still not a good value indicator, as it may have been a subject of bidding frenzy, or on the other hand a lack of interest.
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[woodturner]

That may not be an indicator that his price is too high.

It's possible, but unlikely, since this is not a "rare" item

It's interesting that as rare as they are, there's enough Union 4's in your area for sale to have a "going rate".

That's kind of my point - they are pretty common, not really rare at all.

I don't agree that's a good example. Baileys are more common than Unions. .

Sorry, pasted the wrong link. Here is one of the many "user grade" Unions that have sold on Ebay in the $20 range.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Union-Plane-Stan...item35a3db47bd

Ebay completed sales are a good indicator of market price because essentially everyone has access to that marketplace. If you can find only one or two completed sales on Ebay for an item, I agree with you that it may not be an accurate indication of market price because there could be some unusual condition that influenced final price.

Given the number of completed sales on Ebay for Union 4's in good condition in the $20 range, though, that is likely a good indication of market price. In addition, as I noted, my local market confirms that price range as well. However, given that the OP's plane is rusty and in less than good condition, it's likely his plane would sell for a lower price in it's present condition.

If one really wants to get a good estimate of market value, have it appraised by an appraiser who knows tools. If you want to get an idea of the maximum price it might sell for, check the Donnelly auction results - those prices are generally the high end of the price range.

[cabinetman]

Maybe I should offer a couple to the person on Ebay ;-) I'd give them a bargain at only $225 ;-)

Maybe you should do that. But first, take a picture of your Union 4's. It will make an interesting thread. Rare planes make for good discussion.
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[woodturner]

But first, take a picture of your Union 4's. It will make an interesting thread. Rare planes make for good discussion.
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I don't really have any "rare" planes - as I mentioned before, Union 4's are not rare.

Perhaps we simply have different opinions of rare - I consider a rare plane to be one I only see at flea markets and local auctions every few years, such as a Stanley No. 1. I consider planes like Stanley, Baily, and Union No.4's to be common because I can go to a flea market and almost always find at least one for sale, usually several.

Others have mentioned previously that some parts of the country have few old tools - for example, California is one state that is often cited as a "desert" for old tools. So maybe Union planes are just rare in your area?

[cabinetman]

Maybe I should offer a couple to the person on Ebay ;-) I'd give them a bargain at only $225 ;-)

I understood this to mean you have a couple of Union 4's. That's why I suggested posting a picture for those that aren't familiar with that plane.
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