Dean Reeves Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 So, being that I am building my first guitar I need to fill in some gaps in my available tools. Most important on my list is a spoke shave. A good spoke shave. I wanted to buy from a local retailer so that I might be able to judge what quality level I actually needed. I don't really want a cheap stanley, but I also don't think I need a $135 LIE-NIELSEN one either. I have so far gone to Lowe's, Layman's (local) and Meeks (local) and have yet to find anyone who even knows what a spokeshave is. I know that my area is saturated with commercial construction, but how can you run a hardware store, or be the "Tool Specialist" in a joint like Lowe's, and not even KNOW what a spokeshave is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Ace hardware has them....lowes is not a hardware store..it is a home improvement store that has a small tool section in it..What gets me more is that the don't carry steel toolboxes anymore...only the cheap plastic ones You won't find a good selection of bathroom sinks in Ace either...the right place for the right stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Reeves Posted May 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks for the tip, it's a shame that there isn't an Ace within 100 mi. from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 The Stanley ones aren't half bad if you're willing spend an hour or so tuning them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Ross Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I started with a flat soled Stanley, and they're good for the price. I recently moved up to a Veritas, and the difference is night and day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Veritas has a VERY cool one that has almost like a zero angle blade... takes a little getting used to, but VERY cool. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 +1 on the Veritas line, and Lee Valley is one of the elite companys to purchase through. I own all three of their spokeshaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massive propagator Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 What is the difference between a good and bad spokeshave? Is it mostly in the blade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops1983 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I have a stanley and couldn't get it cutting good at all. What do you need to do to tune them rick? I had the same problem with hardware stores not even knowing what a spokeshave is! Dopey Pri**s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 First, I have no doubt that the Veritas is a better tool. But it's also pricey, and the Stanley can be made to work well. Here's how to give one a good tune-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 The veritas standard spoke shave is a great choice but yes a bit pricey. I have a record and the low angle veritas and I use the record most of the time. Part of getting it to work is flattening the sole but the major issue is sharpness. If you cant get the blade razor sharp then it will never cut well. I dont use the veritas as much as I found the low angle easy to use in tight heel situations but for long strokes the whole spoke shave has to be angled up in the back which I find odd. It is a good tool but I wish I had bought the standard spoke shave. They also sell replacement blades for a Stanley or record or any other Stanley based shave. Been thinking about upgrading the blade or finally buying the standard veritas shave. I make it a point to avoid stores who dont know tools and choose to mail order almost everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 http://grizzly.com/products/searchresults.aspx?q=spokeshave Grizzly has a great reputation for decent quality at a reasonable price. I got mine from there, as well as a number of other items, and I have yet to be disappointed. I'm not going to say that there aren't better out there, because there are, but the price is right and the quality isn't bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted May 22, 2009 Report Share Posted May 22, 2009 Check local flea markets. There are always guys selling old tools. The modern Stanley's are not very good right out of the box. The old Stanley's were much better quality. Do a little web research about buying use planes and spokeshaves. Maybe an hour, a file and some epoxy if you are really into the tune up is all you'll need. That and the tools to sharpen the blade. Search for the Scary Sharp Method. Works great, and once the blade is first set, only takes a few minutes of work with high grit sandpapers to resharpen. Also look for hardware stores in the yellow pages. There are always mom and pop stores still sticking around. They might have something, it might have been on the shelf for the last 20 years, but there is nothing wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshvegas Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) don't overlook wooden 'oldschool' planes mine is still the best I own. You could even build one just like to apprentices used to.... Alcohol? Imfluence? never! Edited May 23, 2009 by joshvegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJE-Guitars Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 I'm confused to what the sad state of affairs is?!! You live in a country where you can buy any tools online and have them dropped on your doorstep! If you want a sad state of affairs try living in a country where it's impossible to buy ANY quality hand tools without importing them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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