With its initial publication in 1983, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes profoundly transformed the emphasis and direction of tool collecting. Since then, it has been the definitive guide to American planemakers, from the earliest individuals who worked before the Revolutionary War to the last few manufacturers of the twentieth century. Now, after several years of meticulous research, a new edition of this extraordinarily influential reference book is available. The 4th edition, completely revised by Tom Elliott, reflects the tremendous amount of new information on planemakers that has come to light since the last edition. Included are: over 4000 biogrtaphical entries, over 5000 imprints, almost 2700 wedge outlines, almost 3000 individual ratings for judging relative scarcity and value. This represents twice as much informaiton as the 3rd edition and overe 4 times more information than the 1983 edition! The scope of the book is expanded by the "What's a Plane Worth" section, providing insights helpful in buying and selling planes, an illustrated glossary of plane terms and styles, and an extensive bibliography for further help in research. Comprehensive and up-to-date, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes IV is an absolutely essential reference for any tool collector or dealer.

With its initial publication in 1983, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes profoundly transformed the emphasis and direction of tool collecting. After several years of meticulous research, Thomas L. Elliott has completely redesigned, revised, and expanded this fifth edition to include entries and information accumulated since the fourth edition. The heart of this guide is the alphabetical directory of plane makers and dealers. This fifth edition now includes: 4590 biographical entries; 6160 imprint illustrations; 3030 wedge outlines; and over 3000 individual ratings for judging relative scarcity and value. Also included are sections providing insights helpful in buying and selling planes, an illustrated glossary of plane terms and styles, and an extensive bibliography for further research. This book is useful to both the beginner and the advanced collector, to historians and genealogists, and to all other with an interest in the subject.

Any collector who has wished he could carry the Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes in his pocket at flea markets, auctions, or estate sales will be happy with this new Field Guide. Tom Elliott has included all the imprints (about 4500) from the fourth edition and has added over 550 new imprints. He has also provided all the star ratings shown before, as well as notations of the names on the planes, whether the name was for a maker or a hardware dealer, and the geographical locations and approximate dates for each entry.

John Whelan unlocks the fascinating secrets of an almost lost art: wooden planemaking. For those curious about the ingenious ways of the craft, this book lays out clear, step-by-step instructions that will enable any woodworker to make a plane. Each chapter (covering 20 different types of planes and spokeshaves) is fully illustrated by the author's line drawings. In addition, there are chapters on the history and alternative methods of planemaking, making plane irons, and the tuning and using of wooden planes. Every chapter that details the construction of a particular plane starts with a photograph of the plane that has been made by the author. As you would expect from Mr. Whelan, this book is the finest and most complete work on the making of wooden planes in print. The reader will enjoy it even if he never puts blade to wood. Should he make a plane or two, he will find Making Traditional Wooden Planes most satisfying

With its initial publication in 1983, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes profoundly transformed the emphasis and direction of tool collecting. After several years of meticulous research, Thomas L. Elliott has completely redesigned, revised, and expanded this fifth edition to include entries and information accumulated since the fourth edition. The heart of this guide is the alphabetical directory of plane makers and dealers. This fifth edition now includes: 4590 biographical entries; 6160 imprint illustrations; 3030 wedge outlines; and over 3000 individual ratings for judging relative scarcity and value. Also included are sections providing insights helpful in buying and selling planes, an illustrated glossary of plane terms and styles, and an extensive bibliography for further research. This book is useful to both the beginner and the advanced collector, to historians and genealogists, and to all other with an interest in the subject.

Teaching you how to make a classic plane yourself (it takes only a day or so) and how to use it in a refined manner.