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Thread: Planes by Hartville tool?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Flowery Branch, GA
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    63

    Planes by Hartville tool?

    I just got a catalog from Hartville Tool. In it, I see some planes made in India for a much cheaper price than the LV and LN tools. I'm wondering if anyone has tried these tools and what do they think?

    My own experience in my father's knife business was india manufactured knives weren't worth much, pretty, but poor steel.
    Dave in Flowery Branch, GA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    Grantham, NH
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    You almost get what you pay for!

    I'm assuming that they're Anants;

    Irons... ho hum! Replace immediately with a Hock or LN.
    Casting... needs decoating, flattenning, deburring and checking for square.
    Wooden handles... hmmm. You get what you pay for!!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
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    937
    Quote Originally Posted by David Dixson
    I just got a catalog from Hartville Tool. In it, I see some planes made in India for a much cheaper price than the LV and LN tools. I'm wondering if anyone has tried these tools and what do they think?

    My own experience in my father's knife business was india manufactured knives weren't worth much, pretty, but poor steel.
    A guy many of us know, who goes by the name of Rarebear over on Woodnet, bought one of these and reviewed it. He's a tool & die maker by trade, so he knows a bit about metal casting and the like. In short, he said it would be junk to anybody who is not very well versed in metal working -- the casting needs major work.

    I wouldn't touch one.
    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

  4. #4
    If you are interested today is the time to try one, they have the #4 on sale for $19.90

    http://www.hartvilletool.com/product...2&location=TWS

    Might be worth a chance at that price.

    John

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Flowery Branch, GA
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    63
    Tom,

    I'm seen some of Rarebear's work restoring planes. He does a real nice job. Seems like the more I look, the more the option I want to take is to buy restored planes from a guy like Rarebear. I'm thinking this will give me the best compromise between quality and costs. A fellow that restores them should know what a newbie Normite type would need to supplement his power tools.

    Gentlemen,

    Thank you for the information. I think I'll either buy reconditioned working man's planes or pick up LV and LN planes, depending.
    Dave in Flowery Branch, GA

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
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    937
    Quote Originally Posted by John Weber
    If you are interested today is the time to try one, they have the #4 on sale for $19.90

    http://www.hartvilletool.com/product...2&location=TWS

    Might be worth a chance at that price.

    John

    Hmmm... It might be worth the price at that -- if the knob and tote are actually nice looking rosewood. I could use them on other planes...

    I wonder how much shipping would be per unit...
    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    KC, MO
    Posts
    2,041
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom LaRussa
    Hmmm... It might be worth the price at that -- if the knob and tote are actually nice looking rosewood. I could use them on other planes...

    I wonder how much shipping would be per unit...
    Good point Mr. LaRussa.......knob&tote usually go for $15 minimum anyway..

  8. #8
    I bought one to get the tote for an old #7 AND to practise my tuning before I attempt the #7. The close up of the handles seemed to me to be worth the 20.00 Shipping was only 5.95 and I was able to get a cats paw they had on sale for the same shipping price.
    Question Is it blasphemy to change the tote?? The #7 is pretty rough but I will save it just incase I every need to sell.

    Last edited by Chuck Radgowski; 04-11-2005 at 10:40 PM.

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