Hand plane discussion at garage sale

[ToolMiser]

I thought some of you would enjoy this discussion I had at a garage sale. The sellers husband collected planes, and had some of the extras for sale. None of them were needed by me so I told the owner my wife would be proud of me for not buying any. Some other person then stated that hand planes were worthless, that he had a power planer and that worked much better than any plane. I explained that I thought there is still a lot of uses for planes especially in furniture making, and he proceeded to tell me that he makes a lot of furniture and he only uses his power plane. So knowing it didn't make much sense to argue with his closed mind, I just chuckled to myself and walked away. I am a big tool junkie, power and hand, but I know there are lots of times and places to use these fine tools. Just thought you would enjoy my exchange!

[Dave Balderstone]

I'd have liked to have seen pictures of his creations...

I like my power planer for thicknessing, but that's essentially all it's good for.

djb

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You missed an opportunity to learn something new. Does he use 10d or 16d nails to hold the furniture together? Does her prefer the coils or strip nails? Ed

[Steve Knight]

a hand held power plane is a very useless tool in the shop. but you could hit him over the head with a plane and he would say it did not hurt.

[bridger]

good for fitting doors and truing framing in the field, though....

[Layne]

Yeah, but if you're way out in the "field" you'd have to bring a genny or a reeeeeeaaaaallly long extension cord. A hand plane can do that and it doesn't need an outlet. :-)

Layne

[B a r r y]

Especially as more and more framers work with the "that's the finish guy's job" mentality.

Barry

[David F. Eisan]

Dear Ed,

I prefer clipped head, I like the pretty little half moons they leave when I set my regulator to 135 PSI as I assemble Queen Anne Reproductions.

David.

[patriarch]

"David F. Eisan" wrote in news:Q4egc.20$ [e-mail]:

but only until the glue dries, right? ;-)

Patriarch

[Steve Knight]

O

yep but that's about it. or surfboards (G)

[ToolMiser]

I went to an estate sale today, and purchased a number 8 Stanley in pretty good condition for $45.00. Not a steel by any means, but I didn't have one (except for 8 C). I talked with the person selling the tools, and he asked what I was going to use it for, and I told him the "power planer" story. He said he didn't want it, but he could appreciate the uses for it. Not I have another tool to tune up. BTW, I also scored a Keen Kutter level in good shape but dirty for $3.00.

[Joeljcarver]

Usually, but I've found it useful in hogging away a large chamfer (like on a sackback Windsor I make). --- I finish off wirh a jack plane and a spokeshave.

[Fly-by-Night CC]

Some woodturners use one to flatten the log face to affix a faceplate.