First of all since that seems to be the custom, I'd like to introduce
myself. I'm Scott Matthews living in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. My
general interests are general woodworking. (Most has been w/ power tools so
far.) Carving, marquetry, backpacking (AT Trail name "Davey Jones"), and am
getting into Kayaking.
I just got into collecting old tools and am starting with wooden bodied
planes. While browsing an antique store recently I picked up 3 molding
planes to start off the collection. The price seemed a lot better than I
had seen at other shops, but after getting home, and doing some research, I
still see that I probably over paid by twice. Guess that shows just how
over priced the other shops are.
These planes are: (all 3 stamped with owners initials WSS)
Auburn Tool Co., Auburn N.Y. No. 180 - 8
Owasco Tool Co. 177 -7/8 (I see that this was made by Auburn Tool, Co.)
J T Brown 1 1/4" wide blade round over
Cannot find any reference to planes by J T Brown. Possibly previous owner?
Tang of cutting blade is marked W. Butcher. Other blades are not marked.
Web seems to indicate this is an after market blade from England. Possibly
a "home made" plane?
Not really knowing I would guess the condition if fair. The blades need
some clean up work, but should be usable. One has a broken wedge, where you
grip it to insert/pull out, but the "wedge" part is intact, holds firm, and
can be removed OK. I figured I could make a new wedge if need be. All have
a nice dark patina, have been used, but not obviously abused.
Question #1:
After I finish my current marquetry project, I'm thinking of making a cedar
strip kayak. To do this I need a couple hundred 16' long strips of 1/4"
cedar. So I'm keeping an eye out for a matched set of 1/4" diam (1/8"r ?)
hollow and round planes to mate up the strips and deal with the curved hull.
Where would be the best place to keep an eye open, and what should I expect
to pay? What should I do to keep the planes, especially the hollowing
blade, centered and not drift off the edge? Practice, practice,
practice?????? Each strip will only be 1" wide. Could I mount the planes
in a bench vise and run the strips over the planes, much like I was going to
do with a router table?
Question #2:
After lurking for a while I'm starting to appreciate all the old stuff my
dad used to have when I was a kid. Unfortunately, most of those tools are
long gone. One item I do have is a pre-leather man multitool knife set that
was supposedly my grandfathers. It has everything except a pair of pliers.
Each tool snaps into the handle as needed. Made by the Napanoch Knife Co.
of Napanoch, NY. I haven't been able to find any more that general
information on the company itself. Does anyone here have any idea how
popular this item was or any info? Estimated value? Photo's can bee seen
at: http://www.geocities.com/captsct2000/Napanoch_multitool.html
Question #3:
Back to my current marquetry project. It's a round table, and I want to put
a molded edge on the outer ring. Are there any molding planes made for
doing curved edges, or a special technique for doing this with straight
planes? I'd like a nice wide (7/8" -1" wide) classical ogee edge. Again,
any ideas where to look and general price to expect?
Question #4:
Anyone else living in this area that could teach me the finer points of
grading the condition of wooden planes, and maybe clue me into local shops
that have a good selection, and not grossly over priced?
Thanks in advance for the feedback. (and I hope I got this properly in plain
text format.)
Scott,
Two paths diverged in the woods.
I took the one with white blazes.
That made all the difference.
Baltimore Jack
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