This is a selections of books. This is not an advertising page. Each list here I either own, or have owned and I will tell you what I liked and didn’t like.
Click Here for the books I have published
My ratings are 1-10. 1 being burn it, and 10 being buy it at all cost. (all are my opinion of course)
Tool Collecting
PATENTED TRANSITIONAL & METALLIC PLANES IN AMERICA Vol I and II
Vol I is out of print. I have Vol II for sale.
These are the most used books I own. A must for anyone who collects hand planes, or buys and resells them and want to know what they are. Volume is out of print and can be hard to find. I believe you can still find volume two fro Roger Smith himself here http://rogerksmith.com/books.html
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Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools Guide to Identity & Value Paperback – by John Walter
A must have for Stanley tool collectors. Its hard to find and there is word a new edition is on its way. http://stanleytoolsbook.com/
Its full of Stanley tools, when they were made, and information on them.
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The Stanley Plane: A History And Descriptive Inventory by Alvin Sellens (Author), Jens J. Christoffersen (Designer)
The second “must have” for the Stanley collector. Its full of Stanley tools, when they were made, and information on them.
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This book is out of print.
Sargent planes identification and value guide – by David E Heckel
An absolute must have for the Sargent Plane collector.
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The Sargent Tool Catalog Collection
A must have for the Sargent collector.
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A Field Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes Paperback – by Thomas L. Elliott
If you collect wooden molding planes, this is a must have book
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A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes 4th Edition by Martyl Pollak, Thomas Elliott (Author), Emil Pollak
If you have the field guide version of this you probably don’t “need” both, but this is a very good reference if you collect wooden molding planes made in America.
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Stanley Woodworking Tools: The Finest Years Paperback – by Walter H. Jacob
I would only put this on the “must have” list if you are a die hard Stanley collector. There is a lot of very good information on the Stanley history. Not really a tool collectors book from a specific tool perspective, but an overall history of the Stanley company.
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Plane Makers of Wikes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Jacob Siegley, Edwin Hahn, Keystone Tool Works by John F. Rumpf
Very good for Jacob Siegley, Edwin Hahn, Keystone Tool Works collectors.
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The Legend of Stanley : 150 Years of the Stanley Works Hardcover – by Jeffrey L. Rodengen (Author), Karen Nitkin (Editor), Kyle Newton (Illustrator)
I would only put this on the “must have” list if you are a die hard Stanley collector. There is a lot of very good information on the Stanley history. Not really a tool collectors book from a specific tool perspective, but an overall history of the Stanley company.
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Antique Trader Tools Price Guide Paperback – March 8, 2010 by Clarence Blanchard
As with most value guides, the prices are out of date, but you can get a good sense of what the value is by comparing to all other prices in the book. It has some very good pictures of some very rare tools. I wouldn’t call it a must have, but if you get the chance to pick it up, you will find it interesting if you like old tools.
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Murlands Antique Tool Value Guide Paperback – September 1, 2007 by Tony Murland
As with most value guides, the prices are out of date, but you can get a good sense of what the value is by comparing to all other prices in the book. It has some very good pictures of some very rare tools. I wouldn’t call it a must have, but if you get the chance to pick it up, you will find it interesting if you like old tools.
What I like about this book is it has some different information, like, Braces, Holtzapffel tools, Mathieson, Spiers, Millers Falls, etc.
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American Wood & Metal Planes: From the Collection of the D’Elia Antique Tool Museum – 2010 by Andrew D’Elia
Absolutely beautifully illustrated. It’s a good book to just thumb threw and maybe identify your plane. Not a lot of information on each plane, but a great starting point. And did I say beautifully illustrated.
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Warman’s Tools Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman’s Field Guide) First Edition Edition by Clarence Blanchard
Its small so you can throw it in your backpack for a day at the flea market. I have trouble finding things in it though. Its not organized in a way that user friendly. The pictures are great though and you can find some good information in it.
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The Antique Tool Collector’s Guide to Value Paperback – July, 1985 by Ronald S Barlow
This book is a bit outdated and its black and white, but its got a lot of very good information on some tools that you don’t find in to many other books, like jack knives, plumb bobs, coopers tools, and the list goes on. Its got the normal planes and saws as well.
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Hand-saw makers of North America Paperback – by Erwin L Schaffer
A good guide for the saw collector. Don’t let the Amazon price scare you. You come up in other used venues for a normal book price.
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Antique Tools, Our American Heritage Paperback – December, 1979 by Kathryn McNerney(Author), Kathyrn McNerney(Author) Not one of the best books in my collection, but for what you can buy it used, its worth having around.
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Keen Kutter Planes: The Simmons Hardware Company Paperback – July 1, 2007 by Alvin Sellens (Author)
A must have if you’re a Keen Kutter collector.
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A Museum of Early American Tools (Americana) Paperback – November 14, 2002 by Eric Sloane (Author)
Not one of the best books in my collection, but for what you can buy it used, its worth having around.
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American Levels and Their Makers: Volume I – New England Hardcover – November, 1999 by Don Rosebrook (Author)
There is not much information about Levels. This book has great information, but unfortunately its limited to New England. It’s a great place to start however, if you would like to collect levels.
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Hand Tools In General
The Handplane Book (Taunton Books & Videos for Fellow Enthusiasts) Paperback – September 15, 2003 by Garrett Hack (Author)
This book is fantastic. Just thumbing through for the pictures is worth its price. It has a lot of history and explanations of most different kinds of planes.
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The Wooden Plane: Its History, Form and Function Paperback – March 1, 1993 by John M. Whelan (Author)
I wasn’t as impressed with this book as I thought I would be, but its worth buying. There is a lot of good information in it.
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The Toolbox Book: A Craftsman’s Guide to Tool Chests, Cabinets, and Storage Systems Paperback – September 1, 1998 by James L. Tolpin (Author)
The pictures in this book is worth its cost. The information is just an added bonus!
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The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Perfect Bench Hardcover – October 1, 2004 by Lon Schleining (Author)
If you have a bench build in your future, this is a must have book in my opinion. There is a lot of good ideas and though provoking information.
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The Stanley “Forty-Five” Combination Plane: History – Identification – Value Paperback – 2002 by David E. Heckel (Author)
A very good reference for Stanley #45 combination planes.
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Millers Falls Tools Catalog No 35. Paperback – 1981
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Stanley Catalog Collection, Vol. II by Emil & Martly Pollak (Author)
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Prices Realized on Rare Imprinted American Wooden Planes 1979-1992 by Emil Pollak (Author), Martyl Pollak (Author)
A bit out of date, but still handy if your looking for old pricing on wooden molding planes.
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PLANEMAKERS AND OTHER EDGE TOOL ENTERPRISES IN NEW YORK IN 19TH CENTURY
I found a copy on ebay. I live in NY, so this is interesting.
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Ohio Tool Co. Illustrated Price List (catalog) No. 23: Planes, Chisels, Auger Bits etc. Paperback – 1990 by Ohio Tool Co. (Author)
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Vaughan & Bushnell Manufacturing Co. Tool Catalog
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Restoring Tools
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Restoring, Tuning & Using Classic Woodworking Tools: Updated and Updated Edition Paperback – October 17, 2014
A very good book, especially if you are fairly new to restoring vintage tools.
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Restoring Antique Tools by Herbert P. Kean (Author)
A very good book, especially if you are fairly new to restoring vintage tools.
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Tool Making
Making & Mastering Wood Planes Paperback – December 31, 2000 by David Finck (Author), James Krenov (Foreword)
For building krenov style planes, this is the best book I have seen
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Making Traditional Wooden Planes Paperback – May 1, 1996 by John M. Whelan (Author)
Good step by step book on making wooden molding type planes.
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Making Wood Tools – 2nd Edition Kindle Edition by John Wilson (Author)
I bought this at a show. Its an ok book if you’re just starting out making tools, but there are better books out there. I met John Wilson and he is a great guy with lots of knowledge. I just don’t care for some of his designs.
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Using Tools and Woodworking
This book is great especially for the beginner if you want to learn what tools are actually used for. Not so much for the collector, but a good addition for the woodworker.
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Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings Paperback – April 17, 2002 by Aldren A. Watson (Author)
This book is great especially for the beginner if you want to learn what tools are actually used for. Not so much for the collector, but a good addition for the woodworker.
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Sharpening
Keeping the Cutting Edge Setting and Sharpening Hand and Power Saws Paperback – May 17, 2006 by Harold H. Payson (Author)
A very good book for sharpening saws.
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The Perfect Edge: The Ultimate Guide to Sharpening for Woodworkers Paperback – November 7, 2012 by Ron Hock (Author)
This book has a lot of information. Almost to much for what you need. Its not a book you just sit down and read, but as a reference its very complete.
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Chapin-Stephens Tools 1914 Catalog of Rules, Planes, Gauges, Plumbs, Levels, Spoke Shaves, Etc. Paperback – April 1, 1991
by Emil & Martyl Pollak (Author)
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British Saws and Sawmakers from 1660 Paperback – September 19, 2014
by Simon Barley (Author)
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Wooden Plane History Section.
![Wooden Planes in 19th Century America[4]](https://i0.wp.com/www.timetestedtools.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Wooden-Planes-in-19th-Century-America4.jpg?resize=118%2C155 "Wooden Planes in 19th Century America[4]")
Books on My wish list
Books I don’t have but plan to buy some day.
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