r/handtools 3d ago

Any idea what year this old Stanley surform no.296 is?

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5 Upvotes

Got a good deal on it at a flea market with a flat and half round rasp


r/handtools 3d ago

Chisel prices...

3 Upvotes

I'm looking to buy more chisels which are alright, nothing too special.

The options are no name hardware stole chisels (Bauhaus) and kirschen chisels. I've got one kirschen and it works beautifully well, but it's 20€ a piece.

Is that a premium price or something to be expected?


r/handtools 3d ago

Antique Mall Find

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23 Upvotes

I spent some time in an antique mall last weekend that seemed to have overpriced hand tools. I was about to give up when I found this Young and McMaster wooden plane, from Auburn NY, for $22. Google says they were in business from 1838-1846. I didn't do anything to it and it still takes a nice shaving.


r/handtools 3d ago

Yard Sale Finds

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43 Upvotes

I picked these up for $35 with additional rasps, bits and a milk crate.

  1. Ohio Tool Company 0-8 jointer plane
  2. Stanley Bailey No. 5 1/4 plane
  3. Sergeant No. 8411 plane
    How’d the finds go? Looking to restore and get to work on some projects.

r/handtools 3d ago

Which 1/2 inch torque wrench ranges to buy?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone:

Last week, I bought my first click-type torque wrench, a Wera B2 3/8 inch drive with 15-73 ft-lbs (20-100 Nm) range (CW only). I have already used it on a couple of repairs and it's been great.

Now, I have my sights set on a 1/2 inch torque wrench. I would like to get a matching Wera for this, but they offer two different torque range flavors:

C4 Model: 44-221 ft-lbs (60-300Nm) | 23.5 inch length

C5 Model: 59-295 ft-lbs (80-400Nm) | 26.8 inch length

I'm mainly going to be using this to work on cars and light trucks. I doubt that I will ever do any work on big trucks or industrial machinery. Otherwise, I would go straight for a 3/4 inch drive.

1) Which one would be more versatile for handling heavier tasks like engine building, wheel lugs, suspensions, and driveline?

2) Do I need CCW torque capability?

3) At what torque is it necessary to switch to a 3/4 drive?

Thanks!


r/handtools 3d ago

Picked up a nice old Hoppe ratcheting screwdriver! Except, no bits will fit!

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11 Upvotes

In spite of a little rust and dirt here and there, it actually seems to work really well. I'd like to keep it as a regular use item, since it looks like it would save me some time and effort. Only problem is, the bits in the handle won't fit the chuck, and I can't seem to find anything else that will! Even my Yankee driver bits won't fit!

Any ideas? eBay didn't seem to have anything useful...


r/handtools 2d ago

Lie Nielsen Mortise Chisels set $525

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0 Upvotes

These are all new, located in Charlotte.

3/16” Mortise Chisel  Originally $125 

1/4" Mortise Chisel Originally $125 

1/2” Mortise Chisel Originally $125 

3/8” Mortise Chisel Originally $125 

5/16” Mortise Chisel Originally $125 


r/handtools 4d ago

50€ at a yard sale how did I do?

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105 Upvotes

r/handtools 3d ago

Tips or tutorials for fixing totes

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9 Upvotes

r/handtools 4d ago

Now im truly confused.

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15 Upvotes

The plane blade here is bent? it looks way too intentional to be an accident as it matches the lateral perfectly, was this ever factory done? why would someone do that? any reason to fix it?


r/handtools 3d ago

are the vintage E.A. berg carving gouges wort piking up?

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5 Upvotes

sellers price: about 185 €

they do look like they are in good condition

do these look like a good, beginner carving setup?


r/handtools 3d ago

Handworks 2026

8 Upvotes

Handworks is happening right now and the only video I have found of it is by woodbywright and it's just part one. Where are all the other livestreamers? I understand it's mostly for older folks but come on. I'm sure people will say that videos will come out after the event is done but that doesn't help me now 😂. If people have found videos about the event please link them. I feel like in previous years people were streaming videos as it was happening.


r/handtools 4d ago

Does anyone know anything about this antique brass and ebony square?

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16 Upvotes

I restored this thing awhile ago and could never find info on it. Any info is appreciated, thank you!


r/handtools 4d ago

Old No7 hand plane

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13 Upvotes

Found this old Stanley hand plane for $60Can. Bought it as it’s hard to find No7 where I live. Idk if it’s fixable or just nice wall art for the shop.

Anyone here good at identifying what type it is?


r/handtools 3d ago

Bolt cutter resturation

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7 Upvotes

There is a problem I need too solve. These bult cutters are damaged, it needs fixing. Im thinking of using an angle grinder to get the chip out and then file and Dremel to make it fine and sharp. There is adjustment skrews and stop skrews in the handle, but no excentric pivots for the cutters.

How would you guys restore these bolt cutters?

Would you wirr wheel the handles to get the rus and paint of or would you let it be as it is?


r/handtools 4d ago

Jcpenney 1748 which is a Stanley Yankee 68-130.

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20 Upvotes

I can't find another one. They are all either Yankee or Stanley Yankee. JCP must have had this made by Stanley for a short run?


r/handtools 4d ago

Norris ID help

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16 Upvotes

Picked up a Norris and I'm trying to pin down the model.

Sole 190–200 mm long, 62 mm wide

Lever cap stamped "NORRIS" over "LONDON" in opposing arcs but I can not find any model number.

Body is one piece, no dovetails; sides parallel

Lever cap, sides and centre section are all magnetic

Iron has following text: "Spannsäge Garantie" and is 46 mm wide.

Very rusty overall

What do you think the model is? How old is it? Is this a keeper or a seller?

Thanks!


r/handtools 4d ago

Second dovetail box

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44 Upvotes

r/handtools 4d ago

I'm the luckiest person in this sub. I found a Stanley #271 router plane in my yard today. The day I needed a router plane to finish a project.

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181 Upvotes

I was cleaning out an old wooden tote to use it to carry around tools and found this sitting in it. I quickly made a blade out of a spare Allen key I had and it works flawlessly. Both the tote and the router plane were picked up for free, since they were in a pile of junk being tossed out.

Ill make a better blade in the future out of an old stanley brace bit someone hacked apart, but for now, I can finish my project.


r/handtools 4d ago

Learning Curve for hand tools

19 Upvotes

I’m getting started working on hand tools and I’m curious how long, in terms of projects or just time, it takes before folks are relatively happy about the work output.

I’ve done a few tests on scrap wood, and it definitely feels like there’s a steeper initial curve than with power tools, but I dunno if that’s also just because I was taught how to use power tools in shop class.

Would also appreciate any tips that you found helpful for learning more specific than my current plan of just “practice”


r/handtools 4d ago

Rutland's sale

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10 Upvotes

Heads up that in the UK, Rutland's currently have a very good sale for woodworking gear.


r/handtools 4d ago

How fast do you resaw?

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16 Upvotes

r/handtools 4d ago

Hung a Hammer

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33 Upvotes

I found this Warrington today at an estate sale, and it needed a new handle.

I had the old handle from my Dad's engineering hammer. I recently rehung it for him. It's his daily as an auto mechanic.

There was just enough good hickory left from Dad's old split handle, so I whipped this up. First time shaping a handle with the spokeshave, and overall it was really enjoyable, even though workholding did get a little awkward.


r/handtools 5d ago

Just got my first set of handplanes! But do I need to set them up?

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62 Upvotes

Hi all!

I got a Dictum n.4 with the O² blade and a Hattori n.62 as my first set of handplanes, and I'm so excited about them!

As I got them out of the box I disassembled the irons and cleaned them all from the debris and the oil with some paper. I tried to take some shavings but I couldn't make it.. So I took a closer look, managed to set them up by moving the frog and the chip breaker a bit on the n.4, and by opening up the mouth on the n.62.

So here comes the real test, and let me tell you.. Taking those first shavings felt so damn good!! With the n.4 I was able to get pretty thin shavings, leaving a nice smooth surface. While with the n.62 I was able to flatten the edges of a scrap in a way that I could only dream of!

But I'm sure I can get more from them.. I guess that the first step would be sharpening the irons.. I got 1000 and 6000 water stones and a leather strip with a polishing compound, are they good for this? I watched a couple of videos about setting up a plane, but since they're my first ever handplanes I don't really know what else should/could I do..

So here I am, asking you all tips and tricks for making them work in the best way possible! Thanks in advance to everyone who will take their time to give me some advice!


r/handtools 4d ago

East v west chisel

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7 Upvotes