Exclusive Video: Inside the Hunt for Affordable Planes
Added 2019-07-11 17:03:21 +0000 UTCFriends:
The plot thickens as I scour the world for affordable tools. Here's a quick (okay, not so quick) update on what I've found and why it's interesting. Really.
--Rex
Comments
The other ones all look like the same design; just different sizes. I think they're all equally good. The low-angle jack is a totally different design and they just haven't figured out the details yet. I think they'll get there.
Rex Krueger
2019-12-01 14:31:46 +0000 UTCCurious if anyone’s tried out any of the other Grizzly series (looks like they’re up to a full line now)? I can’t imagine they’d be using different manufacturers for this, but then again, Tay Tools’ low angle sticks out in my mind as an example of a line that does some things well and flops on others.
Ethan Chitty
2019-12-01 14:09:22 +0000 UTCThe nice thing about it is that it’s really dimensionally stable so it’s great for those applications. I wonder if it would make good video of you experiencing a new wood? Figuring out live how it works (and critically what not to do with it!), try turning it and maybe making something small at the end?
A1BASE
2019-07-18 01:12:22 +0000 UTCoops thats a genuine post from me, not spam. I found a source for Soba 14" plane at a reasonable price (42 pounds sterling). As I cant seem to post a link here, try a search for soba quality woodworking tools on google and it should be first on list.
Chris Thornborrow
2019-07-16 13:45:52 +0000 UTCEverybody says that. I've never touched the stuff and I now doubt that I will.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-16 10:15:12 +0000 UTCI meant wenge.... silly auto correct
Matthew First
2019-07-16 01:07:44 +0000 UTCWenger Is awful..... nothing but disdain for that wood... and yes it does look great.
Matthew First
2019-07-16 01:07:20 +0000 UTCIt was news to me, too! I'll keep you updated!
Rex Krueger
2019-07-15 10:29:09 +0000 UTCHate telecasters?!? Buddy, I'll meet you outside. Just kidding. I'm glad you like it. I did use drywall mud. It's a totally good filler. I love it. I've never used Wenge, but the way people talk about it, I can't say I'm in any hurry. It does look great, though!
Rex Krueger
2019-07-15 10:27:31 +0000 UTCFirst, I love what you did with that red Telecaster - and I hate Telecasters. Bringing that grain out was a great choice. You used drywall mud for it?? Second for ultra hardwoods I once saw a piece of graffiti written in Latin in a men’s bathroom that sums up my relationship with a particular ultra-hardwood. It simply said: ‘Odi et amo. Excrucior.’, which I think translates as ‘I love her and I hate her. I am wracked...’ Wenge. Fuck Wenge. It’s beautiful, but not only does it splinter like a bastard, those splinters then infect the cuts they cause, it chews up your tools like nothing else (seriously) and the grain filling is absurd.... but man. It looks good.
A1BASE
2019-07-15 05:20:11 +0000 UTCThanks Rex! I love videos like this one. I had no idea about tools made in India. I am excited to find out what else you learn.
Duncan
2019-07-15 03:21:57 +0000 UTCI'm really impressed by the Grizzly plane. It still needs tuning, but man, for under $50? Crazy.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-14 20:21:58 +0000 UTCVery cool, thank you for looking into these Rex! The grizzly version sounds awesome.
David Bumpus
2019-07-14 14:55:56 +0000 UTCFooling around with the planes has pretty much confirmed that their reputation is well earned. Oh well. What was I going to do with that seven dollars anyway? Memo to self: Even if it’s at garage sale price, Ask Siri for her assessment before plunking down my nickels and dimes.
Mark L
2019-07-14 13:45:07 +0000 UTCNow THAT was some good video! Thanks!
Rex Krueger
2019-07-14 11:13:51 +0000 UTCI understood you said that some companies are dishonestly selling those planes as some other brand. That is what I meant. I saw those Indian gramophones about 15 years ago and where not fakes also. I was told that many people in India don't have access to electricity, so they use gramophones. (The same thing happens here in Brasil, but people use battery radios instead.) The gramophones were made in a blank box, with no brand, and other people faked the labels.
Eduardo
2019-07-14 10:35:16 +0000 UTCThis was posted over in Wood by Wright's Hive Mind group on Facebook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrPtbxU-RpY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3qKm6_fLCwWp0zKpts9JDI0btpf1BibmKHZDEC8MxoxxsKPbmxqBiJgmY
Jim Williams
2019-07-14 02:39:48 +0000 UTCOOOO! That is exciting. I'll need a shot of the back of the lever-cap and the frog-bed along with whatever else looks interesting. Can't wait!
Rex Krueger
2019-07-13 11:00:09 +0000 UTCI already read this guy's blog! He's a major source of information for me. I may even reach out.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-13 10:58:41 +0000 UTCYes, Groz is Indian, but I don't know if they're Sobha-made, as they have a bad reputation. The #5 you have should be a good fore plane if nothing else.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-13 10:57:24 +0000 UTCI did not know that about gramaphones. Fascinating. But these planes are not fakes; they're the real deal.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-13 10:56:23 +0000 UTCOh, absolutely! Very clever of you.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-13 10:55:16 +0000 UTCForgot a link to his blog. https://indiandiy.blogspot.com/
WhatMeWorry
2019-07-12 22:55:09 +0000 UTCSeveral years ago I was looking into less expensive planes. I was actually trying to find info on the Anant planes when I found a review by The Indian DIY & Woodworker (The Story of my Journey as a Woodworker in India) in 2013. He has even toured the Shobha (Soba) factory. I never bought one but he has an interesting blog and, coincidentally, has a current article about the Soba #4 Bedrock plane.
WhatMeWorry
2019-07-12 22:42:38 +0000 UTCAre they identical enough that you could swap the lever cap from the Big Horn to the grizzly? It seemed that the screw cap was the only downside to the Grizzly.
Elias Brewer
2019-07-12 21:19:50 +0000 UTCI just ordered the Spear and Jackson. Its an extra 6 uk pounds to deliver to Poland. Once I get it I'll take it apart and photograph it and we can see what we can see. You are right this is genuinely exciting in a geeky kinda way.
Chris Thornborrow
2019-07-12 21:06:01 +0000 UTCThe VAT is included Rex
Chris Thornborrow
2019-07-12 20:53:11 +0000 UTCI knew India makes gramophones and people fake them as Victor Gramophones, with the dog label and everything, but planes?
Eduardo
2019-07-12 20:34:52 +0000 UTCFlat Powder-Coat on my plane.
Richard Hengst
2019-07-12 19:47:00 +0000 UTCHey Rex, a very interesting post. I've just come across a couple garage sale planes that I believe to have been manufactured in India. They're from Groz Tools. One is a block plane that's probably best suited for use as a trotline weight. The other is a #5 that might turn out to be a serviceable foreplane. Based on your video and preceding comments, I'm now wondering if Groz might under the Shobha umbrella. I look forward to upcoming videos.
Mark L
2019-07-12 17:26:33 +0000 UTCThe Faithful, the Spear and Jackson and the Draper all look like good Indian-made planes. More like the Big Horn than the Grizzly, but very nice. I like the SandJ in particular, expecially for the price. Do you have to pay VAT on top of that price, or is that included?
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 17:00:26 +0000 UTCJust did a search for grizzly on UK amazon - nothing. Shobha too. Rex and patreons would you have a look amazon in uk and see if you think any of the planes there are the same as this grizzly.
Chris Thornborrow
2019-07-12 07:45:28 +0000 UTCCool! Thanks for doing this Rex. I'm eager to hear more.
Drew Nelson
2019-07-12 00:46:25 +0000 UTCThat one is the Big Horn under another name. Fascinating how many companies are selling these.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 00:15:43 +0000 UTCI am in no way qualified to give advice on this plane, but for $23, it's hard to go wrong.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 00:15:08 +0000 UTCDoes your Grizzly have the shiny paint or the flat powder-coat?
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 00:13:30 +0000 UTCOut of curiosity, how do you know about Shobha?
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 00:13:00 +0000 UTCI'm pretty sure that's who it is. They're pretty much the only player in India and they seem like a quality outfit.
Rex Krueger
2019-07-12 00:12:31 +0000 UTCI'll make a SWAG and say Shobha Industries.
WhatMeWorry
2019-07-11 21:45:53 +0000 UTCI bought a Grizzly Smoothing plane on Sale (one size larger than yours) and once tuned it up (Thanks to YouTube) I find it to be a good plane. I can't afford the high end ones at all, so I'm happy with Grizzly as a beginner. Thanks for the video. looking forward to the follow up.
Richard Hengst
2019-07-11 21:18:21 +0000 UTCI am very curious. Also I wonder how many times the original price was turned over on these planes...
Frans van Ballegooijen
2019-07-11 21:03:23 +0000 UTCi know it's out of category, but i want some opinions (https://osakatools.com/collections/hand-planes/products/wood-hand-plane-rokube-kanna-45mm) or if i can find the iron to make one
Kostas Karanatsis
2019-07-11 19:04:57 +0000 UTCInteresting. Looking forward to your follow-up.
Tim Mayes
2019-07-11 18:46:04 +0000 UTCAlso, look at Tool USA for some really cheap planes. The pictures don't look bad, but I have bveen fooled before.
Jim Williams
2019-07-11 18:05:39 +0000 UTCFound another one, although it is only a #4. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001GS02S/ref=psdc_553218_t5_B079DSVKGQ
Jim Williams
2019-07-11 17:57:02 +0000 UTC
