cutting down

[macchips4]

Just posting a question for some comments.
     I have many different handplnaes ...Like most of us I'm sure. Mostly stanleys but a few Lie nielsen planes. All are users that I've picked up on ebay or as presents. The question concerns two in paticular. a Stanly sweatheart #2 and a bronze L/N #2. I was thinking of getting an IBC blade from woodcraft for the stanley and "tuning it up" , then putting the L/N on ebay...... or.... putting the stanley on ebay and keeping the L/N because it is already "tuned". I really do not find my self using ether very much (can't remember when actually). I just hate to part with stuff
     Has anyone have any experiance with the IBC blades?
     Does anyone feel that the #2 plane is a usefull size today or with so many really good block planes, are they just eye candy.
Joe   
     


 

[msiemsen]

When people ask me what I use my #2 plane for I tell them I use it on things that are to big for my #1. While these are small planes and block planes can be used for many of the same things I like to use them. The # 2 is a small smoother, sharpened and set up properly it can be used to get in to areas where a 3 might be a bit too long and you just need to touch up a spot or you want to level an inlay. They are also great for when the kids come out to the shop and want to make some shavings. I think that the irons that come with the planes are plenty good and that the only reason to replace an iron is because it is severly pitted or used up. Ron Hock confirms this in his  book The Perfect Edge in the side bar on plane irons. It is far more important that the plane be set up properly and the iron sharp. That being said you really don't need two.

[Ty G]

I don't have experience with IBC blades; but I do with Hock blades.  NICE!!.  All I have is old Stanleys.  I had a Veritas bevel up plane; sold it.  I have gone to LN events and played with their stuff; they are pretty.  But, for my use, so far nothing compares to the old stanley with a good Hock in it.  I have hock blades in a #4, #9 1/2 block, #60 1/2 block, and cabinet scraper.

The hock ones are made here mostly or at a small place in France.  No telling were the IBC ones come from.

[macchips4]

Thanks for the replies.
     i think I will go ahead and get the IBC blade. Then put the LN on ebay, see what happens. I could use the  money in my pocket (more wood!!!!). After much more thought I really don't use the #2 at Aall but I do like the "looks" of a "set " of planes on the shelf, especially with nice rosewood.
    I've got some ore ideas and questions I'll post later.
Well anyway, again, thanks for the comments.
Joe

[Jeff L Headley]

I am a horder. When I die you should attend my estate auction. I don't dispose of anything or throw anything away. I am sure I will need it right after I sell it. I plan on taking everything to heaven with me. What type of shop do you think they will have there?
I know the shop I will have if I go to Hell. (I know I just set this tool down so where is it and every piece I choose will be an quarter inch too short.) No wait a miniute that is today!!! 

[HSteier]

I'm a physician in real life and I spend a lot of time dealing with mental health issues. Through the years I've found a common mental health issue amongst woodworkers; hoarding. There is clearly a genetic tendency amongst woodworkers to hoard wood. They may also hoard other things such as tools, fasteners, finishes etc. but mainly they hoard wood.
I'm sure that there's a gene for wood hoarding and I suspect one could determine if your child in utero was going to be a woodworker by doing genetic testing but it would be expensive and wouldn't change anything.
Don't feel guilty Jeff. Your behavior was genetically pre-determined.

Howard Steier

[Antiquity]

You should see the piles of lumber I am hoarding: curly (premium) cherry, tiger maple (soft and hard), mahogany (including curly), curly walnut and curly white oak.  And when an order calls for tiger maple I go buy some.  Why?  I don't know. 

Dennis Bork

[HSteier]

I have a theory Dennis. Woodworkers, beside being hoarders, are also phobic. They fear that trees won't grow and wood, in particular that perfect board, won't be available in the future. So they stack the wood pile so high they don't what's on the bottom, couldn't get to the bottom even if they knew what was there, so they buy more.

Howard Steier

[Antiquity]

Howard,

You are right.  I was going thru two of my piles last week and found wood I don't remember buying.  What a surprise!

Dennis Bork

[Jeff Saylor]

It only gets worse with age.  Now, I'm gleaning pieces from my firewood pile if there's any nice crotch or curl .  I've got 4 pcs. of curly ash drying under my router table right now!

[Martin S.]

As I am sure many here can attest to, this gene is not strictly woodworking...my wife hordes fabric and my blacksmith brother metal (and old tools)...

martin

[macchips4]

The original thought of getting rid of one of the #2 planes comes as retirement is near, and I would like to cut down on the "hoarding" and maybe use the room/money to obtain more wood (of course hoarding in a new direction) and upgrade some machinery/tools in the process.
Joe

[JB]

Yeah... I hoard wood.

I hoard planes too.

Woodworking and Furniture books are the other thing. I look at the three shelves of precious bookshelf space that my Fine Woodworking magazine collection requires and think "I can purchase a singe DVD that will replace that entire collection and is searchable too". My solution; purchase the DVD and keep the magazines - go figure!

JB