At 09:19 PM 7/1/98 EDT, DoveTailed@a... wrote:
>
>First, is there any single place to begin to learn something about the makers
>of old molding planes.  For example, among those in this box lot were several
>by "N. Spaulding, Ithaca" and one each by "J. B. Dills" and "L. Safford".
>Where do I begin to determine when these folks were making planes?
>
Nathaniel Spaulding made planes in McLean NY from 1824-50 and Ithaca from
1869-70.  Mr. Dills is an unknown (Dave H. ??) and Elias Safford (suspect
your L is a worn E) is know to have worked in Albany from 1813-21.  Both
are classed uncommon with only 250-500 known examples.  There are 2 sources
of information about wooden plane makers that are invaluable.  The first is
"A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes" by Emil and Martyl
Pollack, 3rd edition, the second is "British Planemakers from 1700" by W.L.
Goodman, 3d edition by Mark & Jane Rees.  Both are published by the
Astragal Press, Mendham NJ, and both are available through Amazon books.

>Second, several of these planes are in good shape, wedges and all, but are
>missing their irons.  In fact, only two out of the lot are complete.  What is
>the best strategy for replacing irons?  Picking up trashed plane bodies?
>Buying metal stock and fashioning my own?  Does anyone sell "blanks" ready to
>have a profile created on their tips?
>
Irons are tough.  Especially if these are complex shapes.  Some people make
replacements out of old bench plane irons, because the irons should be
taped to get the correct lock between wedge and iron.  Some will use just
flat steel stock.

Tony (wooden plane type guy)

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     User/Collector of Old Woodworking Tools
 http://www.geocities.com/PicketFence/1395
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