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- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Are older hand tools really better than those
manufactured today?
- The quality of most older hand tools remained at a high
level up to about 1960. Since 1960, the quality of materials and manufacturing has
declined throughout the industry. There are a handful of quality manufacturers that are
exceptions to that statement: Bridge
City, Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen and Starrett are
examples of manufacturers still doing it right.
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- What makes most pre-1960 hand tools better?
- Prior to 1960, hand tools were manufactured to exacting standards
to meet the demands of persons who used those to make their living: tradespersons of all
kinds. For example, castings used in planes were seasoned before the metal was machined
and finished. Many of the newer, post-1960 planes are made from "green",
unseasoned cast iron which tends to warp and be untrue. While the feel and appearance of a
particular hand tool is a subjective thing, the fit and finish aspects can be quantified
as well as how the tool performs without a lot of after-market tweaking and tuning by the
owner.
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- Will using an older hand tool reduce its value?
- It really depends on the vintage tool. If it is a fairly common item,
such as a No.5 Jack Plane, circa 1935 or later, you don't have to be too concerned. An
earlier version of the same tool, a No.5, might require more care and minimal use if you
were concerned about wear and tear on a less common item. If you own a scarcer tool, such
as a No.164 Low Angle Plane, you might carefully consider how much you really would want
to use something that could lose a lot of value through prolonged use.
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- How can
you identify old
tools and find
out how much they are worth?
- There is no single reference for identifying and appraising antique and
used hand and one has to consult various guidebooks, published pricelists,
websites, auction catalogs, etc., especially if you are new to tool collecting. In
using guidebooks, it is best to remember that they are guides
only and you have to factor in some important criteria in
appraising the value of old hand specific current market vs. the "book"
price, vintage, overall condition, missing or defective parts, repairs, etc. The
best comprehensive reference for Stanley items is Antique
& Collectible Stanley
Tools Guide to Identity & Value
(out of print), 1996. 885 pages, by John Walter, P.O. Box 227; Marietta, OH. 45750.
Otherwise, Google
is your friend in the search on the Web for answers to your questions about
identification and current values.
back home
- Bob Kaune -
Antique & Used Tools - 511 W. 11th - Port Angeles, Washington
98362
© 1997 Bob Kaune - Antique & Used Tools for
Collectors & Woodworkers. All rights reserved.
Updated:
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 |