Thread: The meaning and value Stanley Types 11, Sweetheart and other era's

Our customers tend to only go for the older types, type 1-11 or so, I think that goes throught the the WW1 period?
There are less tools in these periods that are still in good condition making them "rare" and therefore collectable, to some people.

As there are many hundreds of planes most people will try at first to get a "set" from a particular time period, Like me, I'm shooting for a set (#1- #8c from 1910ish)

Type 11 was a big boom period, lots of tools, and new designs, makes for easier collecting. sort of.... If you want to get your collection quick smart get on to ebay.com (USA) last night I think they had 1400 planes for auction, ebay.com.au had 140.

Some types are also much better users, i'll let others comment on the use of different types.

It's getting late here, Sucker.

To find out what they mean, Google on Stanley Plane Dating Flowchart

There's a lot of stuff out there. I think a guy called Bob Kaune has a page of Stanley trademarks vs the years they were used.


The planes from around about 1910-1928 were some of the better ones (Sweetheart was in the 1920's)

CHeers,

eddie

Another reason that types 9 to 14 are popular with users and collectors, is that they have patents cast onto the bed and this makes them easily identified on ebay. For example if a stanley plane is listed as having 2 patents you know it is either a type 9 or 10.

They're also great to use! The blade contacts the full face of the frog, and the castings were really well done - they used to toss out any imperfect castings in them days...

these are all great!

Blood and gore

Bob K's Bedrock types

Plane type Study

Dating flow chart

good luck
Steve

I think the type 11 attraction can be described in the few short words.

All of the fruit, no compromises.

What that means is that all of the best ideas got put into one plane (with pat dates), and it has the low knob making it very, very easy to identify and as a plus, they are very, very good planes.

Even more so when you end up with a type 5 Bedrock. All of the fruit, no compromises, and it's a Bedrock too.

I think that maybe the Sweetheart (not really, Just Stanley Rule and Level and Stanley Works getting into bed together) was the very last of the no compromised planes. Don't forget, the depression hit around that time, and money was scarce, so everyone had to cut corners. Stanley must have, and as a result the quality naturally declined, and never fully recovered.

That's my thinking now that I have actually thought about it. I'm probably way off the mark, but it makes sense to me.

Thank you for the clarification.

I do like the look of the low knob and the more elaborate embossing on the early types.

I am going to the HTPAA tool drool to have a look and maybe purchase. If I was collecting I would collect from the type 1-9 range since they are less common and more collectible, and I am patient. Never know where I may start.

Does anyone have photos of their collection?

As far as collecting goes I do like the Preston and Son's tools. Do people think that Preston has value. I saw a spokeshave go for $90 on ebay which was still cheaper then the same spokeshave by Stanley.

Pics of my restored Type 11 3C. http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w289/Ryan-Cathey/Type%2011/

As far as I am aware, the Type 11 was the first of the Stanleys to have a lateral adjuster. So, along with a full faced (flat) frog (which enabled better blade support), some of the best machining of the Stanley era, and the distinctive low knob, this is a users plane - earlier vintages are less user-friendly and, therefore, collector planes.

The T11 is distinguished by having three dates behind the frog.

As a point of interest for those wanting to buy this version of the Stanley bench plane, but not wanting to compete with the multitude vying for a "Type 11", then get the Type 12. It is absolutely identical save for the first high knob - which was, in fact, an upgrade on the low knob. The low knobs look a bit more sexy, but they provide less support. Look at the LN knobs - they chose high knobs when they could have chosen low.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Type 5 was the first lateral type actually.

Indeed they were, young Ryan. Absolutely correct.

All I can think of then is that T11s are liked as they are the last of the low knobs (and among the best made).

Regards from Perth

Derek

I just have enough time on my hands to memorize this stuff lol. I prefer the 11s because of the low knob, patent dates, small adjustment wheel, and the over all fit and finish...but what do I know.

The bottom line is that they make good solid users and 11's and 12's in good nick are common. Most of my stuff is Type 11 or 12 as a result. The laminated blades do it for me. Shapes of totes vary somewhat over time eg teh forward swept early styles, and the types 11 and 12 fit me better than the earlier stuff.

There seems to be a lot of stuff from these vintages floating about relative to other types...I see heaps of types 9-12, rarely anything younger, eg types 4 and 6.

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

Does anyone have photos of their collection?

There is a thread called "show off your Planes" in it you will find a photo of my planes and quite a few other collections as well.