Reddit mentions of The Handplane Book (Taunton Books & Videos for Fellow Enthusiasts)

I learned about planes from The Handplane Book by Garrett Hack. I've put a few old ones back into service. Most recently, a Bedrock 605. I also have a few from Lie-Nielsen.

You gave me a heart attack. The wife resuscitated me and I am waiting for paramedics. ;)

Think about what you want to do. They call the #5 the jack of all planes, but I think that title is better bestowed on a #3 or #4. I really think a #4 is probabaly the sweet spot. The smaller planes do a better job straightening longer boards than you would think they would.

I really like this book.

Be careful, next thing you know, you'll own a dozen of them.

I was completely in the dark as far as planes are concerned until I read The Handplane Book. It's really informative and will teach you all about what those different planes are for and how to tune them. I personally don't see any reason why you couldn't use those planes as long as they are in good shape and you tune them up. And just think, you'll be using a tool that someone alive over 100 years ago was also using to make stuff!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Handplane-Book-Garrett-Hack/dp/1561587125/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395544219&sr=8-1&keywords=the+handplane+book

Restoring a plane is so much more than sharpening an iron. First I would ask "what do you need planes for?". There are a lot of different planes, they all do different things. I primarily use power tools, but I like to face joint wide boards by hand before going into the power planer. Therefor I need a jack and a jointer. Since my final dimensioning is done with power tools, I don't need a smoother.

There is also a lot to know about planes, and if they are even worth fixing/restoring. Some broken or missing items may be dealbreakers.

This is probably the best general book about planes. Give it a good read so you at least know what you are getting yourself into.

With that said, if you could score that lot for under $100, I would just do it. Fix and keep what you need, sell what you don't.

It simply does nothing or gets stuck in the wood. I haven't tried in months, I gave up on that project :P

On Poplar I have similar issues, but less severe. Sometimes it does nothing or close to nothing, sometimes it planes perfectly (usually when I'm just about done with the board), sometimes it tears out chunks. Changing the direction of planing usually eliminates option 3, but I haven't figured out how to get it working on straight grain consistently.

I've got The Handplane Book, which helped me get from "rusty and dull" to "working on 2x4s and sorta working on other soft woods".

I’m probably late to the party but this book is pretty incredible.

The Handplane Book (Taunton Books & Videos for Fellow Enthusiasts) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1561587125/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rtkLAbZFY2VGY


If you get hooked on the idea of old tools this is a good place. He puts out a monthly list of what he has for sale. I’m sure better deals can be found, but believe he has a solid reputation for being fair.


http://www.supertool.com/