I am in the restoration category. I would say the main benefit of restoring is that you "learn" your planes and how to read your wood, besides being the cheapest option of all. To restore a plane you must understand what it is that it is supposed to do, how and how will the planed surfaces react to it and why. It is a frustrating process sometimes but it is worth the time, at least with one plane, the rest you can buy.
Also, for one premium plane's worth you can have a full array of vintage planes, including some that you really don't use :))
I agree with everything you've said, but to understand a plane fully, you need to have used one that works properly.
I fully intend to restore a plane in the future once I get my workshop set up. I'm hoping that once I've used these planes to build my workbench I'll have a much better understanding of how they operate and be in a much better position to restore.
I'm actually inheriting some old planes that will need it so I have no excuse!
Welcome to the Hand plane rabbit hole! I have restored 3 planes and purchased two well restored hand planes that I love and are my favourites. But restoring the others to taught me a lot about my planes.
Next stop is the sharpening rabit hole. If you want to skip the 100s of conflicting advice in YouTube just invest in "Sharpen This" by Christopher Schwartz.
Western Back Saws and Hand saws is another area where you will need to choose between beautiful old saws and restore vs buy with big$.
Thanks! I already feel like something of a closeted collector haha. I'll have to maintain some self control. Especially when the site I used has tool requests...
That said I'm hoping that my next plane will be restored by me. I'll see how I get on!
Sharpening is just as much of a minefield as planes. I'm going to do a writeup on that at some point once I figure out what I want to say. I do have an India stone and Welsh slate though which is what I was recommended so I just need to add a strop and I at least have a starting point!
When it comes to saws I've taken the Japanese route!
Thanks for the Tooltique-tip! Tool-porn site if ever I saw one :-)
It seems like a very good source of quality tools in working order -- and at very reasonable prices. It's a find, it's a steal, it's a bloody good deal!
What’s a plane supposed to feel like, what’s it supposed to do? Produce shavings. If it cuts smoothly, it’s fine. If it chatters and binds, something’s wrong. Start with that :).
Restoration is easy, really. Flatten the bottom, make sure the frog seats solid and the blade is supported.
A No.5 jack is a useful size, and someone whose opinion I respect suggests you can get by with a No.5 Jack with a fine blade and a scrub blade, and a block plane. I don’t disagree but another point CS makes is that it depends on what fits your hand and your strength. Personally I find I do heavy work with a 4 because it’s lighter than the 5; then flatten with a 5, with the block plane for concentrated effort on troublesome spots, then turn back to the 4 for smoothing. I recently picked up a No.3 which I’m restoring and I’m interested in how that suits me. Your choice of 5 and 3 is as good a starting point as any.
A low angle block plane is invaluable. The Stanley 12-960 is very decent, and won’t break you — though I admit I gave it a Hock blade 40 years ago and haven’t changed back.
In time you’ll acquire others. I find a right-angle trimmer is useful. A small router plane serves me well. Etc etc. You’ll find the way … :)
I'm going to give restoration a go in the future for sure.
Originally I was going to go with a 4 and 5. But the smaller 3 has a bigger difference in size and should work nicely with the 5. I've used both now for little bits for practice and I have to say I love the 3. It's so light and effortless to use.
The 3 doesn't quite fit my hand but I've found a way to hold it that's really quite comfortable. Hope you enjoy your No.3!
Moving forwards I have a block plane and Jointer plane on my list. They will likely be what I get next. I know you can get by without a Jointer but the trio of smooth/Jack/joint I something I really want to own.
Ultimately I'll probably end up with a full set because who doesn't love a good plane lineup!?
Er yeah. I have the urge for No.6😬. Note that none of these planes (and especially not ones with enclosed handles) expect your first finger to clench the tote.
I chose the other method when I was first getting into woodworking 15 years ago. Bought a bronze Lie-Nielsen No. 4. Saved for ages. Probably should have bought used first. But we all make our choices. Love the No. 4, but if I had to do it again, I’d save some money and buy restored vintage.
And I have restored a couple of planes since that initial L-N purchase. But it may be best to wait to do that until you have more experience using the tools you already have.
We all choose our own paths like you say, and those bronze Lie Nielsen planes are stunning, I bet you'll never regret buying one.
Your point about restoring planes is exactly what I'm trying to get across. The general advice is always to buy and restore planes. But it's not good beginners advice... You can become an expert plane restorer in a couple of days on paper with the vast majority of guides available. But all of that means nothing when you have no idea what the tool is meant to feel and work like once the restoration is complete.
I am in the restoration category. I would say the main benefit of restoring is that you "learn" your planes and how to read your wood, besides being the cheapest option of all. To restore a plane you must understand what it is that it is supposed to do, how and how will the planed surfaces react to it and why. It is a frustrating process sometimes but it is worth the time, at least with one plane, the rest you can buy.
Also, for one premium plane's worth you can have a full array of vintage planes, including some that you really don't use :))
Hi Todor thanks for your comment.
I agree with everything you've said, but to understand a plane fully, you need to have used one that works properly.
I fully intend to restore a plane in the future once I get my workshop set up. I'm hoping that once I've used these planes to build my workbench I'll have a much better understanding of how they operate and be in a much better position to restore.
I'm actually inheriting some old planes that will need it so I have no excuse!
Welcome to the Hand plane rabbit hole! I have restored 3 planes and purchased two well restored hand planes that I love and are my favourites. But restoring the others to taught me a lot about my planes.
Next stop is the sharpening rabit hole. If you want to skip the 100s of conflicting advice in YouTube just invest in "Sharpen This" by Christopher Schwartz.
Western Back Saws and Hand saws is another area where you will need to choose between beautiful old saws and restore vs buy with big$.
Hi David,
Thanks! I already feel like something of a closeted collector haha. I'll have to maintain some self control. Especially when the site I used has tool requests...
That said I'm hoping that my next plane will be restored by me. I'll see how I get on!
Sharpening is just as much of a minefield as planes. I'm going to do a writeup on that at some point once I figure out what I want to say. I do have an India stone and Welsh slate though which is what I was recommended so I just need to add a strop and I at least have a starting point!
When it comes to saws I've taken the Japanese route!
Thanks for the Tooltique-tip! Tool-porn site if ever I saw one :-)
It seems like a very good source of quality tools in working order -- and at very reasonable prices. It's a find, it's a steal, it's a bloody good deal!
Hey you're welcome. It's reassuring to me that you think that!
Glad to be able to supply you with some information for once :)
Happy browsing, let me know if you succumb to anything...
I will!
What’s a plane supposed to feel like, what’s it supposed to do? Produce shavings. If it cuts smoothly, it’s fine. If it chatters and binds, something’s wrong. Start with that :).
Restoration is easy, really. Flatten the bottom, make sure the frog seats solid and the blade is supported.
A No.5 jack is a useful size, and someone whose opinion I respect suggests you can get by with a No.5 Jack with a fine blade and a scrub blade, and a block plane. I don’t disagree but another point CS makes is that it depends on what fits your hand and your strength. Personally I find I do heavy work with a 4 because it’s lighter than the 5; then flatten with a 5, with the block plane for concentrated effort on troublesome spots, then turn back to the 4 for smoothing. I recently picked up a No.3 which I’m restoring and I’m interested in how that suits me. Your choice of 5 and 3 is as good a starting point as any.
A low angle block plane is invaluable. The Stanley 12-960 is very decent, and won’t break you — though I admit I gave it a Hock blade 40 years ago and haven’t changed back.
In time you’ll acquire others. I find a right-angle trimmer is useful. A small router plane serves me well. Etc etc. You’ll find the way … :)
Thanks for the comment David!
I'm going to give restoration a go in the future for sure.
Originally I was going to go with a 4 and 5. But the smaller 3 has a bigger difference in size and should work nicely with the 5. I've used both now for little bits for practice and I have to say I love the 3. It's so light and effortless to use.
The 3 doesn't quite fit my hand but I've found a way to hold it that's really quite comfortable. Hope you enjoy your No.3!
Moving forwards I have a block plane and Jointer plane on my list. They will likely be what I get next. I know you can get by without a Jointer but the trio of smooth/Jack/joint I something I really want to own.
Ultimately I'll probably end up with a full set because who doesn't love a good plane lineup!?
Er yeah. I have the urge for No.6😬. Note that none of these planes (and especially not ones with enclosed handles) expect your first finger to clench the tote.
I chose the other method when I was first getting into woodworking 15 years ago. Bought a bronze Lie-Nielsen No. 4. Saved for ages. Probably should have bought used first. But we all make our choices. Love the No. 4, but if I had to do it again, I’d save some money and buy restored vintage.
And I have restored a couple of planes since that initial L-N purchase. But it may be best to wait to do that until you have more experience using the tools you already have.
Hi John, thanks for the comment!
We all choose our own paths like you say, and those bronze Lie Nielsen planes are stunning, I bet you'll never regret buying one.
Your point about restoring planes is exactly what I'm trying to get across. The general advice is always to buy and restore planes. But it's not good beginners advice... You can become an expert plane restorer in a couple of days on paper with the vast majority of guides available. But all of that means nothing when you have no idea what the tool is meant to feel and work like once the restoration is complete.
🎯