Thread: Stanley #65 & #18 1/4 Block Planes.

Nice work Stewie. I think we need a block plane family shot.
Ive got a sweetheart era #65 that is due for a clean up.
Needs a bit of TLC.

I should make mention that the resource material I am using, STANLEY TOOLS, Guide To Identity & Value (885 pages 2nd Edition) by John Walter, does not cover listings past Type 17 (1947 -1950).

I should also make special mention, that regardless of the era these Stanley Block planes were manufactured, with the correct amount of fettling, they still perform extremely well, and will meet the demands placed upon them by the modern woodworker.

regards Stewie;

My #65 is my most used plane. I find it a pleasure to use.

Originally Posted by planemaker

Thanks Hiroller; if you have a look at the lack of feedback on threads I have forwarded on different types of Block Planes, a group shot of my whole collection aint going to happen.

regards Stewie;

Just a guess but I'm assuming the lack of feedback is because of your abrasive and insulting comments over differences of opinion in several threads. Might be something to consider.

Originally Posted by bueller

Just a guess but I'm assuming the lack of feedback is because of your abrasive and insulting comments over differences of opinion in several threads. Might be something to consider.

Bueller, I will continue to use a straight faced bat when I make a comment on this forum.

Some may not appreciate that style of commentary, I fully understand that.

Focus on the information provided. It may broaden your knowledge base.

regards;

Originally Posted by Ironwood

My #65 is my most used plane. I find it a pleasure to use.

Ironwood; that's excellent news to hear. Its a wonderfully designed block plane, by an earlier manufacturer that was fully aware of the essential needs of a woodworker.

regards Stewie;

I hesitate to post this, but believe some balance is indicated for those that have the urge to go searching for a #65.

The early versions were dated or marked ...



These are not among my favourite block planes as they are very wide and less comfortable to hold in one hand (and I have broad hands). I would make the same comment about the LV LA Block Plane, which is equally wide. They are otherwise good workers ... but then most block planes will plane face grain well if the blade is sharp. That is not the best way to evaluate a block plane. The real test is end grain and chamfering.

Here is a picture showing the widths of a Stanley #65, LN #60 1/2 and LN #103 ...



I am not sure what the attraction for the #65 and #18 is among many on the fori. I suspect that they have a little mystique owing to relative rarity (not that they are rare; this is statement of relativity). I would consider the #60 1/2 to be the best block plane made by Stanley, and the one to search out.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have around 10 block planes (cause I like 'em) and the #65 is my favourite.
Pleasure to use. I was using it today as a matter of fact.
Nice planes Stewie. They look like brand new after a clean up.

Derek; most forum members should be fully aware by now of your back ground as a tool reviewer for the likes of Ln and Lv. Nothing wrong with that imo, as long as you dont overplay that close relationship within your own recommendations to other forum members. Just an opinion. The intention of these threads I have been posting on earlier made block planes, is to highlight that these earlier made planes still have an important role to play within the choice of tooling for the modern day woodworker.

Imo; there is more than enough information out there that you have provided across most forum sites on the benefits of using Lv and Ln products. Some balance in approach should seen as having some equal value to those users of hand tools who may not wish to purchase every tool brand new.

Do not take any of my comments above as a measure of patronizing towards you. That was not the intention.

regards Stewie;

Appreciate your feedback NCArcher.

regards Stewie;

Derek; most forum members should be fully aware by now of your back ground as a tool reviewer for the likes of Ln and Lv. Nothing wrong with that imo, as long as you dont overplay that close relationship within your own recommendations to other forum members. Just an opinion. The intention of these threads I have been posting on earlier made block planes, is to highlight that these earlier made planes still have an important role to play within the choice of tooling for the modern day woodworker.

Why do you insist on making everything petty and personal, Stewie? The information I posted here had zero to do with LN and LV. I posted information about the #65 which you omitted to do.

Imo; there is more than enough information out there that you have provided across most forum sites on the benefits of using Lv and Ln products. Some balance in approach should seen as having some equal value to those users of hand tools who may not wish to purchase every tool brand new.

When you post something that is akin to a review, it is important to provide a context so that the picture is balanced. This is not one of my reviews and is not linked to any I have written - do you see anything that resembles such in my replies?

Do not take any of my comments above as a measure of patronizing towards you. That is not the intention.

Really?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Seriously. As two grown men can you please stop bickering. It's tiresome.
If you really don't like what the other has to say you can click on their user ID and click on the "Add to ignore list" and you never have to see their posts again (unless someone quotes it).

You know what ... you are right. My intention was to add information. There was no personal attack in my initial post. However, there is always some reaction that leads to an unpleasant atmosphere. I shall withdraw from anything to do with posts by Stewie.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Stewie,
this was entirely unnecessary

Originally Posted by planemaker

Derek; most forum members should be fully aware by now of your back ground as a tool reviewer for the likes of Ln and Lv. Nothing wrong with that imo, as long as you dont overplay that close relationship within your own recommendations to other forum members. Just an opinion.

and the last sentence is entirely disingenuous.

FWIW
I agree that the Stanley 60-1/2 is probably the most useful of Stanley's block planes.


AND
if you truly desire to provide some useful information, rather than posting :

"hey everyone, I just cleaned up one of my old planes, oil stones, etc and after cleaning it looks like this .."

why don't you do something useful like compare your block planes side by side, planing face and end grain -- radiata, Western Red Cedar (end grain planing of which I find a real problem) and two or three different hardwoods.
and then, based on the information you have gathered and presented make a recommendation of which plane is worth seeking out at the local markets to invest the time to fettle correctly.


BTW
I may have missed it, but after your rehabilitation of that nice wooden jack posing in the background of your first post, I don't recall an assessment of whether the rehab was worth the time and effort in terms your making the old plane usable again. (This is not a question of sentimentality, but a judgement of whether your time would have been better spent fettling a 1930s Stanley #5 or #6.)