Toolfreaks Anonymous

[Novagun]

Here here to buldawg76. We now have an inkling of what some steel is.

[Firewalker]

Tungsten steel is just an old alloy that is brittle but holds a very nice edge. Modern tool steels like D2 and even HHS can be better candidates for cutting tools without having the inevitable chipping issue.

T1 tungsten steel has 18% W (tungsten) and really hasn't changed since 1910 when it was introduced.

T2 has 6% tungsten has 5% (Molybdenum) MO and has all but replaced the old tungsten steel.

"High-speed steels (HSS) are tool steels that consist of a combination of over 7 % Mo, W, and vanadium (V), with over 0.60% carbon."

Thanks for the info, David.

BD

Your welcome. I always knew my metallurgy classes would come in hand one day! 

[bantam5s]

I didn't just receive this in the mail, because I don't have a thing for Channellock 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Not pouting..
But I am really interested why there was no comments on my Step-dad's planes collection
Maybe I need to go there and help him re-set up his "entire" display, then take better pics.
Those are made of wood, by hand, with steel blade held in with a wood handled wedge and a each one has a purpose.
Every bit of 1800's vintage.
 I honestly thought you Toolfreaks would "Freak out".
Just imagine the things they could have built.. cabinets, ornate saloons, ships, Conestoga wagons to cross the frontier.... My mind is boggled.

[Firewalker]

Sorry, Scott, I see no need for planes any longer.

[Novagun]

I am surprised Firewalker sees no need for planes. Your collection is worthy of any woodworkers attention. I am remiss in not remarking favourably on it. They are craftsmans tools and can be made to accomplish many tasks that a power plane is not suited for or just can't do. Apart from that there is just the sheer joy of using a nicely sharpened plane that can take off  paper thin, and thin paper at that, shavings. And quiet as well and you can smell the cypress and the cedar and the pine. And steel bed planes as well.
A good plane is a woodworker's delight and they last for a 100 years with constant use. No power plane will ever do that.
I didn't remark but I really enjoyed your display. There will be others like me who think they spout off too much and too long.  Kapai Ehoa.
PS. I cant see the plane or tool in the top right hand corner very well. Can you tell me what it is. Maybe another photo.

[Firewalker]

I am surprised Firewalker sees no need for planes. Your collection is worthy of any woodworkers attention. I am remiss in not remarking favourably on it. They are craftsmans tools and can be made to accomplish many tasks that a power plane is not suited for or just can't do. Apart from that there is just the sheer joy of using a nicely sharpened plane that can take off  paper thin, and thin paper at that, shavings. And quiet as well and you can smell the cypress and the cedar and the pine. And steel bed planes as well.
A good plane is a woodworker's delight and they last for a 100 years with constant use. No power plane will ever do that.
I didn't remark but I really enjoyed your display. There will be others like me who think they spout off too much and too long.  Kapai Ehoa.
PS. I cant see the plane or tool in the top right hand corner very well. Can you tell me what it is. Maybe another photo.

Nope, I have a dozen and they have seen zero use in the past 20 or so years due to superior processing and finishing techniques. Like the slotted screw, its time is over. 

[bantam5s]

Sorry, Scott, I see no need for planes any longer.

What do you use instead ?

I can think of absolutely nothing I would possibly use in place of my block plane when I pick it up and start taking shavings.

[Firewalker]

Sorry, Scott, I see no need for planes any longer.

What do you use instead ?

I can think of absolutely nothing I would possibly use in place of my block plane when I pick it up and start taking shavings.

Forgive me for asking this but what do you need a plane for? Saws, fences, rip guides, all have become so accurate that you dont have to 'fix' a misscut and planers have all but removed any need to 'level' a board.

You can't plane a door bottom any longer due to engineered wood and adhesives and veneer do not get along with planes. My Bailey No 8 will just sit on the shelf looking pretty for now.

I have 100 ways of wasting time on a plane is just not on that list.

[Hoosier Daddy]

PS. I cant see the plane or tool in the top right hand corner very well. Can you tell me what it is. Maybe another photo.

I believe it to be a "precision" wood clamp.
I will indeed go and help him set up the rest of his display (again) and get better photos of the 1800's tools in the near future.
After all, they will be mine to display eventually, to carry on the linage of father to (step) son.   

[Insanity]

Scott that picture really isnt doing them the justice they deserve. Very nice collection!

[Hoosier Daddy]

I believe you are correct Matt, Mom took it with her cell phone very quickly, spur of the moment, on my request.
 I will get it corrected soon.   

[Novagun]

Well I can see Firewalkers point of view. Modern materials like melamine coated chip board. They have their place and straight off the saw, with edging, they require no finishing. Just not me though. Every old kitchen made like that has failed. They can not be refinished. Joiners love them because they are temporary and make another.
I like solid timber. Just me. Just to illustrate, I got a job a while ago repairing kitchens in a rough area apartment block. The kitchens had seen a rough life but I could be  repaired and refurbished for another lease of life. The same goes for old and modern furniture. I like the older stuff and older houses. Real timber not woodgrain laminate.
PS. I have just come from visiting a friend in a retirement village. All perfect, all the same and all characterless, in my never humble opinion.

[bantam5s]

Sorry, Scott, I see no need for planes any longer.

What do you use instead ?

I can think of absolutely nothing I would possibly use in place of my block plane when I pick it up and start taking shavings.

Forgive me for asking this but what do you need a plane for? Saws, fences, rip guides, all have become so accurate that you dont have to 'fix' a misscut and planers have all but removed any need to 'level' a board.

You can't plane a door bottom any longer due to engineered wood and adhesives and veneer do not get along with planes. My Bailey No 8 will just sit on the shelf looking pretty for now.

I have 100 ways of wasting time on a plane is just not on that list.

Well for example
When I make or fit a tool handle I do it with a rasp / 4 in hand , handsaw, spokeshave, block plane, bench axe, and cabinet scrapers.
For me and the DIY often hobby related things I do at home, it was not a waste of time unless the project didn't pan out.
The fact that it took longer than it could have If I owned a lot more big stationary power tools is no skin off my neck.
Btw I used a block plane a couple years ago on  a bathroom door, my uncle gave me on he had laying around and It needed a bit of work to fit.

I guess it's just the things I do that make wood planes useful.

[Novagun]

I used my block plane yesterday to make a comb riser for my CFX. Just the tool for the job.

[bantam5s]

I used my block plane yesterday to make a comb riser for my CFX. Just the tool for the job.

He seems to be looking at things from a contractor / carpentry time is money standpoint , and I get it in that context.
However there are many things where they are still a very useful tool that really won't be surpassed by modern equipment.

That comb riser is a good example.


And I'm not a prepper or something,  but a hand plane pretty much lasts Indefinitely and requires no power source.

[Buldawg76]

Sorry Scott

I must have completely missed the pic of those old works of art the fist go round. I for one may not use such an old tool any more for the fear of breaking it or damaging it, but to keep and admire the craftsmanship of what is now a lost art is every bit the whole point.

I have old special mechanics tools and ones specifically for GM vehicles that may never be used again but they will never be gotten rid of since they are not made at all anymore. Being an old skool person stuck back in the true muscle car days of cubic inch wars one day those tools will come in handy. If nothing else I will pass them down to my kids to figure out just what the heck they actually were used for.

I just see to many old ways being lost from the newer generations that will never be passed down or the skills retained when our world and time reverts back to simpler times. Everything goes full circle eventually IMO. Just ask mother nature about so called climate change that has run in cycles on this planet since she was first put in charge. What once was will be born again given time.

BD

[Firewalker]

I used my block plane yesterday to make a comb riser for my CFX. Just the tool for the job.

He seems to be looking at things from a contractor / carpentry time is money standpoint , and I get it in that context.
However there are many things where they are still a very useful tool that really won't be surpassed by modern equipment.

That comb riser is a good example.


And I'm not a prepper or something,  but a hand plane pretty much lasts Indefinitely and requires no power source.

Close, commercial/industrial but I'll still use the power planer to trim up the bottom of a door if need be. Don't get me wrong, I have spoke shaves, rasps, scrapers etc. to do hand work but the half dozen planes just sit an look pretty.

I have nothing against planes, go ahead and use them, I love watching video of block plane competitions cutting swarf.

[Novagun]

If they just sit and look pretty then you must appreciate them for something and that must be worthwhile. A lot of tools spend a lot of time just waiting but as you know, tool freaks like collections.

[Buldawg76]

All the tools I have bought over my 50 year career have made me a very good living and have some sentimental value to me as well. I admit I probably should go thru and downsize on some of the duplicates but I have found in the past years that when I clean out/up accumulated items that I have not needed or used in years it ends up a week later I need what I just got rid of, has happened more time than I care to think about.

So now I guess I have become a hoarder of sorts with tools and parts for fear if I thin the herd today then tomorrow I will need what I just let go. Believe me when I say I do know what all I have but just may not know exactly the last place it was put at precisely. I do know its either in the garage or shed out back that is a given.

BD