Planemaking Floats of J.F. Bauder. Philadelphia planemaker in the 1850s.

These four floats were found together at a yard sale. The people selling

them did not know what they were or where they came from and no other

planenaking tools were visible. Below is a photograph of the four floats.

The three on the left have the same handle material with similar construction

and patina on both the handle and blade. A detailed drawing of the second

from the left float can be seen at: float1.gif

The far left float and the third from the left are identical except that one

is a left cut and the other is a right cut. The drawing is: float2.gif

The float on the far right has a different style handle and seems to be

newer than the other three. The handle is beechwood and is stamped:

J.F. BAUDER. / PHILA

The imprint is almost identical to the one found in the Guide to the

Makers of American Wooden Planes by E. & M. Pollak. A drawing

is at: float3.gif Here are some better pictures: