Since i started out woodworking not too long ago i always wondered why every workshop you see has a load of hand planes in it. Well the answer to me is.... It's addictive buying them!!! Not new... but 2nd hand!! the first pieces of hardwood i bought were Rough cut Walnut 4ft boards, one was 7inches by 2 inches and the other was 6 inches by 1 inch. there was a horrible bow in the 7 inch board so i said that no about of sanding would get that down so i purchased my first plane. I bought this one new... A Stanley 102 block plane.
It done the job... so to speak... after a couple of blisters and a lot of time i did get the bow out of the board. But it was then i started thinking about proper hand planes and watched numerous videos on hand planing and then started my search on e-bay. I knew what i was going to be looking for... mainly Stanley Planes in good nick, the blades didn't have to be sharp once they were rust free and a flat sole i was going to be happy. With in 2 weeks i had bid on about 50 planes and was the proud owner of 4 second hand planes.
The first plane i got was a Stanley G12-004 Smooth Plane. This is values at about €65 new, i got it on eBay for €20 including delivery. the blade was already sharp and just needed a touch up. On this plane i saved about €45.
The next plane i purchased was a Stanley Bailey Number 3 Bench Plane. This plane is valued at about €70. I purchased this plane on eBay for €18 including delivery. On this plane i saved about €52. This plane arrived brand new in the box. even though it was new every blade should get a touch up when you get it, it takes the machining marks off the blade and gives you a smoother cut.
After that i purchased a Vintage Stanley Spokeshave (A151) This plane retails at about €25 and i got it on eBay for €15 delivered saving about €10. Once again the blade on this was a bit dull and the paint was a bit faded but with a bit of sharpening this shaves as good as new.
Finally i needed something for those larger pieces so i came across a Stanley Bailey 5 and a 1/2 jack plane. This plane is valued well over the €100 mark and i picked it up for €35 delivered on eBay, a saving of about €80 to €90. The blade on this was slightly curved and needed a bit of work to straighten it out but once it was straight it was again like new.
So in total i have 4 planes worth €270 to €280 which i got for €93 a saving of about €180 euro. if you are interested in buying planes i highly recommend checking eBay for a bargain. if they arrive and there is anything more needed then sharpening the blade or flattening the sole then these parts you can pick up also such as a new blade or handles.
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