silentC
14th October 2003, 03:32 PM
Here's some pics of a Stanley No. 4 plane that I spent the weekend cleaning up. Unfortunately the lever cap is a new one that I bought shortly after I found the plane lying in a heap of dirt under our house. Hopefully I can find an old one at the monthly markets.
It's in pretty good condition considering. There's a bit of pitting on the sole that I couldn't lap out. One side was out of square with the sole, which took a bit of fixing. Otherwise the body and handles are crack-free. The body is marked "Made In Can.".
Patrick Leach of "The Superior Works" has this to say about the number 4:
The standard smoothing plane. This, along with the #5, are what made Stanley a fortune. This plane will out-smooth any sanding, scraping, or whatever on most woods. There are woods that present themselves as problems for this plane, and the rest of the Stanley bench planes for that matter, but this shouldn't deter you from owning one. The planes were designed to be general purpose and affordable, not to conquer any wood tossed their way. Many modern woodworkers have their first plane epiphany with this little tool as the curls come spilling out its mouth.
I love this plane, it's a pleasure to use and to my eye it's a beautiful thing.
It's in pretty good condition considering. There's a bit of pitting on the sole that I couldn't lap out. One side was out of square with the sole, which took a bit of fixing. Otherwise the body and handles are crack-free. The body is marked "Made In Can.".
Patrick Leach of "The Superior Works" has this to say about the number 4:
The standard smoothing plane. This, along with the #5, are what made Stanley a fortune. This plane will out-smooth any sanding, scraping, or whatever on most woods. There are woods that present themselves as problems for this plane, and the rest of the Stanley bench planes for that matter, but this shouldn't deter you from owning one. The planes were designed to be general purpose and affordable, not to conquer any wood tossed their way. Many modern woodworkers have their first plane epiphany with this little tool as the curls come spilling out its mouth.
I love this plane, it's a pleasure to use and to my eye it's a beautiful thing.