Anyone know the Ax 778?

[ivan]

I'm fed up with my 78 rebate single rod fence. Before punting on a second hand Record 778, can anyone comment on the (cheaper) Axminster version?

[modernist]

Not directly, but taking into account the price is likely to be similar to the Indian versions which abound. Having briefly owned a shoulder plane of similar parentage I would go straight for the 778.

The 778 is a fine plane and vastly superior to the Stanley offering.

My shoulder plane had the bed at 87degrees to the sides!

[Alf]

Dunno what your budget is, but perhaps for the benefit of anyone else considering purchase of a rebate, don't forget Veritas are (over)due to introduce a pair of skew rebate planes. Just in case anyone wants to avoid a "d'oh! I just bought a rebate plane. I'd have held off if I'd known" moment.

Funnily enough I looked at that Axminster one and dallied with the notion of finding out if it was any good. But even at a reduced price, it's a bit more than I want to spend on my curiosity. But given that rebate planes aren't exactly fine instruments of wood torture, unlike a shoulder plane, it might actually be okay. Or no worse than a modern Record anyway...

Cheers, Alf

[modernist]

I'm interested in a Veritas skew, I'll stop looking for old stanleys which would probably be a disappointment.

I may be wrong but I think the Ax look like Anant which, IMHO are poor quality in all areas.

I picked up a 30 year old 778 in fine fettle on ebay for £30. Steel of the blade is very good and you can replace the screws if necessary.


Brian

[benhall]

Rob Lee from Veritas has indicated that these planes will be along in a few months.
In relation to the type:

Yes - they're similar to the 289, but will have a few differences (good, of course!). We will be producing both Right and Left models - and will probably have an aggressive price for the pair....

We're in our final prototype stages now, and should be issuing the tooling orders very soon.


In relation to the release date:
Right now - we're showing Apr-May ....but that assumes tooling does not need any re-work.... and you never know if a mold works well until after you make it.


In relation to some pre-release pictures:
Andy - will, of course, tease as appropriate.... but it's still a wee bit early. Have to make sure the patent work gets done first before we do any reveal...

Regards
BH

[ivan]

Thanks for the tip, I'll wait for the LV "289"s!

(The Ax 778 is probably a Groz?)

[Alf]

Judging by the review on Ax's site, sounds like it's made in the PRC.

As for the Veritas ones, Rob's being uncharacteristically (and therefore infuriatingly) tight-lipped about them. Usually I'd have been teased mercilessly with renderings by now, but no dice. Not sure whether to be sad - or happy. ;D

Cheers, Alf

[ivan]

Mmmm. PRC or PR. Ax?

[jake]

Alf=hand said:

As for the Veritas ones, Rob's being uncharacteristically (and therefore infuriatingly) tight-lipped about them. Usually I'd have been teased mercilessly with renderings by now, but no dice. Not sure whether to be sad - or happy. ;D

Patents have been mentioned, and if inventions become public before the date on which patent application is filed (in most countries), the invention becomes prior art and can't be patented. A good reason to play one's cards very close to one's chest!