I'm curious about Axminster as a brand. I've heard mixed reviews and was wondering if anyone here has actual experience with their tools. I'm specifically looking for a jointer plane. I was eyeing the Axminster Workshop No. 7 Bedrock jointer plane, but it only has two reviews, and I'm a bit hesitant about making the purchase. My budget doesn't quite stretch to a £500 Lie-Nielsen plane, but I'd love to know about your experiences with Axminster tools in general. Are they worth it?
3 Answers
I've had some luck with buying vintage tools off eBay, like a Record No 7 for under £100. They're generally pretty good and are often considered better value than new ones. Just keep an eye on the listings since condition can be variable.
I actually got an Axminster No. 7 last year, and I’d say the quality does fluctuate. While some pieces arrived great right out of the box, others needed serious tuning to become usable. If you decide to go for it, getting a better iron once you have it may save you some frustration and give you better results in the long run.
I had a mixed experience with Axminster tools. I bought a Rider plane once, and while I was impressed with the performance after some tweaks, I found the finish a bit rough. If you can, I’d recommend looking for a second-hand Stanley; they can often be found for less and perform really well.