Who am I? My name is Mike. I live in Toronto, Canada. I cook, I renovate, I build, I read, I photograph. I am somewhat of a rhykenologist, which means I collect woodworking planes. And other woodworking tools… in fact maybe I have far too many tools. I have a small basement workshop with next to no natural light, and do most of my large cutting outside using my tracksaw. I like classic Western tools, innovative tools from Lee Valley and the like, and Japanese tools. Sometimes things get done a little slowly, mainly because I have too many interests (and write too many blogs). I’ve been working on a workbench for more than a dozen years, and maybe I’ll finally get it done now that I’m semi-retired.
This blog focuses mostly on things that are made by hand, discussions about tools, and historical aspects of woodworking.
working by hand 
We definitely have a common interest in planes. I’ve been restoring and using woodworking tools for about thirty years, really like old coffin smoothers. Have you ever run across a sort of rabbet plane called an Up-to-Date? It’s a cast aluminum body with an L-shaped cutter, actually very useful for adjusting door hinge mortices. I’m trying to find one for a friend. thanks, M
Your Millers Falls Buck Rogers tools review is wonderful.
In page: https://workingbyhand.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/atomic-era-buck-rogers-tools/ is missing the no.104 drill photo.
Regards, Zak
Mike,
Great topics and a fascinating read. I actually found you through a post you made on another site regarding a deck you built. I would love to have an offline email chat about that experience.
Regards,
(also) Mike.
HELLO THEE. I AM LOOKNG FOR A FEW RAZEE PLANES. I SAW A FEW ON YOUR SITE AND WONDERED IF YOU HAD ANY TO PART WITH? THEY WILL BE LOVED AND USED DAILY IN BUILDING CUSTOME ACOUSTIC GUITARS! tHANKS FOR YOUR TIME
-GHULL07@YAHOO.COM
Great blog! Instead of sleeping, I spent a good hour or more reading through your posts. To be sure, I’ve added a link on my browser to keep up to date on your words.
Hello,
I am sitting here looking at a Stanley 65(?) I just bought. The plane body has no foundry marks. The pin for the eccentric lever is integral to the body. It has the 1/8″ high front knob boss(pre 1910). It came with a hooded bottom lever, fine cross hatching lever cap(looks like from an 1886-1900 Stanley #9 1/2). It also has the thicker knurled knob rear adjusting screw which was introduced in 1930.
It IS a low angle.
So, I figure neither the lever cap or the adjusting screw are original to this plane. It is definitely a 65 body because I have it next to one of my other 65s and it is identical except for thicker casting on the sides.
Any idea what this plane really is?
Thanks,
Steve Casey
Hi Steve,
Do you have a pic you can post? As often the case, I suspect over the years the plane had parts modified. It could
however be a really early No.65, as they had the same lever cap as the 9 1/2. The weird thing may be the pin for the eccentric lever, but if it is integral, it could also signify an early model.
Mike
Hello Mike,
Yes I have pics….how do I send/post them?
Steve
You can post them to me if you like…
tatooine24 [at] gmail.com
cheers,
Mike
Hello Mike,
Did you get the pics I sent to your other e-mail?
Thanks,
Steve Casey
Hi Steve,
No, Can you send them to mwirth [at] uoguelph.ca ?
Sorry, something seems weird with my email.
cheers,
Michael
________________________________
Hi Mike, I recently acquired an old Stanley block plane. I think it might be a #18. However, it doesn’t look exactly like the two you shared in a blog. Can I email you a pic for your opinion on what model/age plane I have?
Thanks for your awesome blogs 🙂
Susan
Hello Mike, is it possible to email you? I have got a lot of vintage toolls from my grandgrandparent house and I would like to direct them to someone who is worth theirs value:) Best regards, Marzena
Hi, You can reach me at tatooine24@gmail.com
cheers,
Mike
Mike,
Just found your website. It is wonderful. Well organized with excellent content. I have been collecting and researching Fulton cast iron hand planes markets by Sears, Roebuck & Co. from 1904-1943. I was wondering if you have written anything on these tools? My research has been very fruitful to date with a clear timeline of features emerging that allows an ever narrowing date range of various planes.
-Greg
Hi Greg,
Sorry for the delay. No, I haven’t written next to anything on Fulton. I know that it was a pre-Craftsman brand, usually made by Sargent. (similar to the Dunlaps made by Stanley or Millers Falls). Sometimes its hard to find info on these makers, as they are often brands attached to clones.
sorry, I’ll post anything if I find something.
Mike
I Seek assistance with identifying the maker / date of a heavily oxidized plane blade from an archeological site near Princeton, NJ.? It may be associated with a church constructed in the 1830’s. The blade has boldly stamped letters across the butt end that may be: “..WROU..”, “..WHOU..” OR “..WBOU..”. At least one preceding letter and maybe two following letters are illegible. No similarly bold letters are on lines above or below those. I’ve photo’s to send, if interested.
Thanks for any consideration given. Dana Linck
Hi Dana,
Sure, I’ll try to help. Best send me some pics… tatooine24@gmail.com
I’ll see what I san do!
cheers,
Mike
Hi Mike and thank you for the link on plane makers “goodwood restoration” I now have a website at http://www.nevilleplanes.com could this be changed, thank you
Fixed! Thanks for the update.
I have a collection of about 100 lady leg items – calipers, knives, tweezers, button hook, etc. I can send photos please contact Gary Unger at gary_unger@cpgarch.com. Thanks
I have a wooden block plane I want to sell, but have no idea of a fair price. I’ve done a little bit of research. It is Peugeot & CIE, Pont de Roide, with the elephant logo on the blade, which dates it between 1984 and 1933. It is a 3″x3″ x 28″ with a metal blade. Any help would be appreciated. You can e-mail me directly at annettegurdjian@gmail.com if that is acceptable. Thank you.
Hi Mike, How do I contact you about many, many antique tools I have? Patsy.
Patsydonald@rogers.com
Hi Mike. I have looked for a way to e-mail you, but did not find anything in “about” etc.
I run a webshop selling vintage tools, and would love to be included on your list if possible?
Tanleyandlane.com
Best regards
Jens
I have a 14 inch long plane with the Mosher Patient 1884 as best as I can figure. I can’t seem to identify it and that’s my lack of experience with planes. I have found planes that look like it but seems like they have some small feature that doesn’t match. I know that out there somewhere are those that know exactly what I have. Just need some product knowledge on this one.
Do you have some some pictures? I’ll send you an email.
I can get you pictures tomorrow, I have some now but I’m not happy with them as far as the clarity and angles. I’ll take pictures tomorrow and send them as soon as I get the pictures I think will work best for all. Thanks
I have pictures of the ones I researched and I can make pictures of the plane itself. I would like for you to tell me what or which areas you need to see. Also I need to know how you want me to send them.