I have been lurking around the porch for about 6 or 7 months and haven't
taken the time to submit a Bio and I thought it was time to do so.
I have been a tool collector of sorts for about 20 years. I did the Flea
market circuit in Texas for about 3 years, buying and selling old tools,
primarily planes At one point I had over 150 planes in my booth and never
had less than about 50. This was a lot of fun and somewhat profitable. But
then the planes started to get harder and harder to find and I shifted gears
and started to build children's furniture to sell. I did this for about 5
years until my back gave out on me and I couldn't keep up with the demand.
Now I am retired and settled down here in SW Oklahoma just doing my own
thing, mainly loafing and a little woodworking.
I have seen a few of the rare Stanley's from time to time, but being in the
business to make money, I couldn't keep them. I did manage to save a fairly
nice set of Stanley's, #2 through #9 in both standard an the C's, all but
two of these are sweethearts. Couldn't afford to hang onto a #1 and I only
found 1 of those in the wild. I now have 78 planes in my collection and I
consider all of them as users.
The rarest thing I ever found was a Bailey's 1855 Patent Jack plane. Gave
$30 for it and sold it for about $1000. It later was sold at auction for
over $3000. but unfortunately not by me.
This weekend I went to a Threshing Bee here in Oklahoma and found a 45 type
4 almost complete and with about 60 to 70% of it's plating in tact but only
one cutter. The plane is only missing the nickker and one or two screws.
The cam and slitter are both there. Best part only $30. I have an almost
complete set of cutters for this vintage of 45 so they are no problem. . I
also pick up 3 nice molding planes for $10 a piece. I was surprised to find
anything in the plane line here in S W Oklahoma that was worth picking up.
Most of the stuff has laid around in a barn somewhere until it is almost
beyond recognition and S W Ok is not noted for being a Mecca for craftsman
either.
John Lehman
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