Hi Guys

My local cash converters have a practically new (no wear, rust, pitting, its straight, and fairly shiny) Stanley 41/2 with a plastic handle (can't be that hard to make a wooden one using the plastic as a guide). They are asking $120, which I thought was a little pricey. I don't have any smoothing planes, so I was thinking that I am better off leaving it and looking elsewhere, but just in case, I thought that I should ask those that know better than me.

What do you think?

Ta

Definately not. Plenty of better quality older 4½s on ebay for a lot less.

This one is a little on the late side but not bad.
STANLEY 4 1/2 TYPE 19 MADE IN ENGLAND EXCELLENT HARDLY USED | eBay

even this should clean up ok
STANLEY 4 1/2 PLANE Made in England | eBay

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Cheers,
Virg.

As the others said, probably not worth half that price. Wooden totes (i.e. original, not replacements) don't gaurantee a great plane, but they usually indicate it comes from the right era.....

Cheers,

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IW

There are two 4 1/2's for sale here in the "for sales" the dearer is one I'm selling, but if you want a decent 4 1/2 at a very reasonable price have a look at the other. However my preference for a first plane is either a #4 or #5 the #4 1/2 is a bit wider and a bit heavier. A link is bailey 4 1/2 plane and the plane a mere $55

Wot they said

If it's got plastic handles it's from an era where your chances of striking a good one are low. The older you go the better the chance of striking a good one (even allowing for the wear and tear of age).

And at that price, why risk it (unless you want a nice shiney ornament to sit on a shelf in the shed ).

Cheers, Vann.

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Gatherer of rusty planes tools...

I thought as much. Thanks guys. I thought it'd b worth about $60-$70, to which the sales guy nearly had a seizure. Do u think they over paid?!!

I was looking for both a smoother, & something bit smaller than my #7.

I rather think they might have - whoever flogged that plane to them must have had a good pitch, and in any case, I don't imagine the average CC clerk is familiar with the arcane world of hand planes. But if I were you, I'd be much more interested in some of the alternatives you've been offered.
Cheers,

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IW

I agree with the other comments. Way overpriced!
I bought one on ebay for spares and paid $25. It was so good that I couldn't bear to cannabilise it and kept it!

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Cheers,
Steck

Considering anyone who knows planes avoids them and anyone who doesn't is more likely to pick up a $20 bunnings one - yes!. If good #4's go for anywhere between $5 and $60, then $120 for a bad one isn't going to work!

What's wrong with a #7 as a smoother?. I was doing chamfers with mine the other day

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I ended up getting a #4 & #5 from Pac Man. Including postage, I think the price is fairly in line with eBay, maybe a touch more. But at least buying from a forumite should end me with a better, more honest plane then eBay.

About the #7, I'm still learning how to use it. I know that I need something smaller, so I took the opportunity to get both.

I agree. I am using my no 7 more and more and with a sharp blade and fine adjustment it leaves surfaces just as smooth as any other plane. Today I was using it to level and smooth the tops of some drawers that I have been making. The long sole makes it ideal. It is also good for smoothing a panel which you want to keep flat. (It also helps to maintain upper body strength)

Good choices

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