Thumb Archives - Handplane Central

DID YOU KNOW…

To some people, learning a new skill can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Handplane Central has information for beginner woodworkers on the many different types of planes and what they’re used for. Why are some planes longer than others, and why do the blades all have different angles? What hand plane is best for your needs and what are the essential planes you simply can’t work without?

Handplane Central also has information on how to set up your plane properly so that it works the best way possible. Want to know the correct way to use a plane, such as for shooting the end of a board or thicknessing down to a line, then Handplane Central can help with that as well. We also have information on blade sharpening, flattening a sole or repairing a handle.

Sauer + Steiner Toolworks

While there have been a few dedicated makers of infill planes over the past 60 years there has been somewhat of a resurgence in the “lost art” of infill planemaking within the last decade or so. One of the best makers carving a niche for…

Edward Preston & Sons 1901 Catalog

These scans are from the Edward Preston & Sons catalog of 1901. Edward Preston Sr. (1805-1883) was first listed as a plane maker at 77 Lichfield Street in the 1833 Birmingham Directory but it is believed he may have started business there as early as…

Tyzack And Son 1908 Catalog

The scans below are from the Samuel Tyzack & Son catalog of 1908. Samuel Tyzack was in business from 1861 to 1867 at 8 Old St. before moving to 347 Old St. & 153 Shoreditch from 1872 and later 343 & 345 Old St. in…

Buck & Hickman 1935 Catalog

The Buck family name has long been synonymous with collectors and users of hand planes and other woodworking tools throughout the past 150 years or so. Spanning several generations (and continuing right up to the current day) the Buck family were a dynasty of tool…

Norris 1928 Catalog

This is the second Norris catalog addition to the site and is a reproduction of the 1928 catalog. The main difference you will note is that most of the images of the bench planes feature the Norris adjuster, whereas in the 1914 catalog the adjuster…

Norris 1914 Catalog

The scans below are from the Thomas Norris & Son catalog of 1914. The catalog features the entire range of Norris hand planes, from dovetailed smoothers, panel planes and jointers right down to tiny violin makers planes cast in bronze. Mitre planes, shoulder planes and…

George Adams 1923 Catalog

The following images are taken from the George Adams “Woodworking Tools” catalog of 1923. George Adams was a tool and hardware merchants located at 255/6 High Holborn in London. While most of the planes and spokeshaves featured on these pages are manufactured by Stanley, there…

Remembering Thomas Norris & His Planes

I have been greatly interested to read over past months and years items referring to Norris tools, together with one of that firm’s logos reproduced. It is possible that a few reminiscences from one who knew Tom Norris well may be of interest to some…

Through Much Tribulation

Through Much Tribulation: Stewart Spiers and the Planemakers of Ayr To call this book the definitive story of Stewart Spiers is somewhat of an understatement. Sure, by definition, the scope of information which resides within this 132 page work by author and longtime collector Nigel…