Antiques
Of A
Mechanical Nature 

www.Patented-Antiques.com

Larry and Carole Meeker

  Purveyors of American Patented & Mechanical Antiques

LCM@patented-antiques.com 

530-620-7019

Antique &  Collectible

Wooden Molding & Woodworking Planes

Woodworking Planes have been known since the times of the Pharaohs in Egypt and perhaps before.  The wooden planes on this page are mostly American or English with a small sampling from other parts of Europe and Scandinavia. 

The history of American made wooden planes begins in New England with such famous names as C. Chelor,  I.. Nicholson, I. Jones and a host of other well known pioneering 18th century plane makers.  There has been a lot of research done on early American planes and their makers, and those books are still available and worth a read.

In general wooden planes made after about 1820 or so are considered "late" and the designation "early" is applied only to 18th century planes or those made prior to that date.  Mass production of wooden planes by tool companies such as Ohio tool, Sandusky tool, and Auburn Tool Co began after the first quarter of the 19th century and in the mid 1800's.  Their production continued to just after the turn of the century when makers/ manfacturers either changed to metal bodied planes or dropped out of the business all together. 

In addition to these mega makers of wooden planes, there are hundreds of smaller plane makers known and documented who were producing countless numbers of, and different varieties of wooden planes for use by different trades people all over the country.  Again the amount of information available is beyond the scope of this page, but the best book on the subject which is still in print is the continuation of Pollack's ground breaking books which have been further improved upon by Thomas Elliot and are still in publication

Wooden planes and wood molding planes can encompass a variety of forms and functions.  From Transitional planes that incorporated wooden bodies and metal fittings to plow planes and molding planes from earlier times. 

Finding and keeping rare or early planes by known but obscure makers is a challenge today, as the sources have all but dried up and the demand is high.  The days of 18th century planes popping up or coming out of a local garage or barn are for all intent or purposes over.  Even nice examples of wooden molding planes by later makers and companies are becoming harder and harder to find. Common profiles, like individual hollows & rounds, or simple rabbets are still readily available and can be bought for 10.00 or less at major tool shows or tool auctions on a good day if you have the need.  As a matter of fact I have some on the bargain page.

• 18 Matched English Skew Cut Hollows & Rounds by Varvill     HOLD!
• Handled Sandusky Half Round Plane
• Union 1 1/2"  Half Round Plane
• Auburn Tool Co.  Half Round Plane   SOLD!
• Greenfield Tool Co Mass.  #406 Molding Plane
• Baldwin 5/8" Complex Profile Molding Plane
• Greenfield Molding  Plane
• Barnes Complex n/c Molding  Plane
• Seybold Molding Plane
• Fox & Washburn Molding Plane

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