Thread: What to do with a Stanley 10 1/2

ivanavitch, what you've got is the little brother of the carriage-makers' rebate (or 'rabbet' if you like to follow US spelling). You can read a little about them on Patrick Leach's site....

Your example has the low front knob, which puts it pre-1925 (the Stanley type study says the tall knobs appeared between 1919 & 1924). New replacement knobs & handles can be bought from a bloke in the US, who makes them in the old style. He uses Cherry & Walnut for his off-the-shelf products, but his website says he will custom make, and since the wood on your plane looks like Rosewood, you'd have ask for that to bring it back to original.

I see you are just over the river from me. I think I have a small scrap of Rosewood somewhere, which should be just enough for a low knob. I have a badly damaged low knob from a #4 for a model. It's probably the same height, but if you give me the height of your knob, I could whip one up for you (provided I can find it!) that will be sure to fit. I do have pieces of Myall, which I've used as a substitute for Rosewood on a couple of other planes, it has a slightly coarser grain, but still takes a lovely high polish like Rosewood, and only someone who knows Rosewood well would spot it from a few feet away...

Cheers,

Edit: Forgot to say that imo, they are not the greatest product Stanley ever made. "Occasionally useful" is about the best compliment I can come up with. Not having a fence limits your ability to cut rebates accurately without much fiddling. I used to use mine to clean up tenons, but found a 78 does a better job in that dept., and is a more versatile tool to boot, since it is made to take a fence. I just cannot get either the Stanley or it's Record cousin to cut as sweetly as a regular smoother. They will do an ok job, but those unsupported edges of the blade makes them prone to chatter when the going gets tough. Crude as it is in many respects, the 78 at least has its blade supported right across the cutting edge, and doesn't talk on the job....

Thanks for the offer Ian.
The knob is 46mm high and 41mm at the widest point of the balloon.

Whereabouts in Western Brisbane are you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm in Sadliers Crossing, an inner suburb of Ipswich.

Regards
John

Originally Posted by ivanavitch

....Whereabouts in Western Brisbane are you, if you don't mind me asking. I'm in Sadliers Crossing, an inner suburb of Ipswich.

I'm in Pullenvale, about 25 minutes from downtown Ipswich via Karana Downs.

I'm going to be away for 2 weeks from this coming weekend, so won't be able to do anything until after the 22nd. It will take me a half hour to find the wood and about 5 minutes to make the knob, when I can get to it. I'll PM you as soon as I make progress, so if you haven't heard from me by the end of Sept, I've either forgotten, or been eaten by a croc in Kakadu (). Just send me a PM as a heads-up, if the former, all good, if the latter, you'll not get a reply ...
Cheers,

Ian
Again, many thanks for the offer.
I picked up a 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the same trip. I have plenty to clean up before I need to tackle the 10 1/2.

Keep the toes out of the water. Remember, it is their soup bowl.
Regards

Originally Posted by ivanavitch

......Keep the toes out of the water. Remember, it is their soup bowl.....

Fortunately, I'm not into fishing, so I'll keep a healthy distance from any water other than what comes out of a shower rose. I'm not one to smile at crocodiles, but not quite as cautious as the other half. She says she's not getting out of the car between motels!

Cheers,

After a few PMs I met with IanW this afternoon in his fascinating workshop.
He had graciously offered to turn a new knob for the 10 1/2. True to his word he turned a beautiful rosewood knob for the old dear.

I don't know if Ian is a scholar, but he is definitely a gentleman. Thank you once more.

regards

John