Do I Need Moulding Planes?

In the off season we have visited an indoor flea market.

Although it was indoor it was damn cold.

At the end to my favor, but find out by yourself.

Freezing and trembling was the main activity on the flea market we visited one of the last weekends.

This aside I could make some bargains. The deals were made quickly this time. No one was really in the mood to negotiate much and the sellers were happy to sell something. I guess most of them wanted to go home early.

So it came that I found some moulding planes again. I bought them and went home quickly for having a good cuppa.

Here are my new finds. Three moulding planes in pretty good condition apart from being dirty.

I have found some more moulding planes already last year.

Now then, having bought all these planes I meanwhile ask myself if I need them.

The truth is that I like clean straight lines. Why do I care about mouldings?

Thinking about it brought me to the following result.

First of all, who knows when they will become handy. Maybe tomorrow I decide on a new project where I would need them. On the other hand I wouldn't decide to make such a project if I would miss the necessary tools.

Secondly they are somehow fascinating me. No router is necessary to make fancy mouldings. Just one of these nice planes (most of them with history in them) and the even and quiet strokes of the same.

Finally it is a challenge. Something to hunt for. You know, you can buy them on different online marketplaces.

Even they are not that often advertised in this part of the world, but you can find them if you want one and you are willing to pay.

I don't fear to pay for, but it is another story to buy from a private person on a flea market than to buy from an online gambler.

Anyway. Let's have a look at these nice planes.

All of the planes are in good condition. They just have been dirty. Wherever they have been stored.

But although they are dirty and the irons are a bit rusty the cutting edge looks surprisingly well.

The three profiles

That said I have wiped off the dust and some of the dirt and then reassembled the planes.

Here are the three profiles. Unfortunately I haven't found the time to find the right profile names, so I will call them plane No 1, 2, 3.

No 1

No 2

No 3

All cutting edges are pretty well polished and without rust. I believe that means they have been to task a short while ago. Anyway, the iron of No. 3 felt pretty sharp so I gave it a try.

No 3 on task

The iron set I made the first stroke. Guess what. It's cutting not too badly.

After a few strokes I have made the first profile. Nice!

First profile made with plane No.3

I strongly believe I have to find a nice project where I can use one of these nice, old, low noise, moulding planes.

Beside of these moulding plane I have found another great wooden plane. But this guys will be another story.

Stay tuned!
Stefan