Thread: How old is this Bedrock plane?

There's something special about using a tool that has already done yeoman service, and even better if it's come down through the family, it seems to command you to live up to its expectations...

It's great to see any good tool lovingly restored to its former glory and put back in sevice. Enjoy it as often as you can Dengue, I'm sure the pleasure will only grow as you get to know it, & the pair of you establish a working relationship!

Cheers,

Edit: BTW, as part of my fee for the woodwork job, I got to keep the leftovers, most of which now adorns this little #3-sized smoother. 3-sized Smoother.jpg

So the SIE is now gracing two planes made about 100 years apart. It's lovely when you get it knocked into shape, but it's a lot tougher to work than "real" Ebony...

Originally Posted by Dengue

This Bedrock 605 plane was recently handed down to me from my late father in law.

is it a Stanley plane?

Would anyone have any idea how old it is? Is there a plane expert on the Forum, like Doggie and his Titan chisels?

It obviously needs a new wooden handle, screws and a blade adjuster. Where would be the best place to get these parts?

All suggestions are most welcome

Attachment 467834 Attachment 467833 Attachment 467832

The rounded, raised receiver for the front knob identifies the plane as a Type#8 and later, which is 1927-30.

Note that this is the most reliable measure for this Bedrock, since the blade and lever cap can be replaced, and often were.

TYPE 8. 1927-1930- All features of TYPE 7., except...• Bed now has "MADE IN USA" in addition to patent date.(No.604-1/2-C & 604-1/2 specimens have been found without either marks).• Knob receiver boss now cupped for fitting knob [8A]. Several TYPE 6 - No.604 Planes have been found with this feature; possibly a factory "retrofit" of leftover castings.

[8A] Knob receivers detail: Left- Types 5-7; Right- Types 8 and later

Reference: Stanley Bed Rock Plane Types - Bob Kaune - Antique & Used Tools

Regards from Perth

Derek

Looks like a bought one; well done!

My favourite go to plane is an early type 11 Stanley 5 fitted with a Titan HSS blade; there’s something about that size of plane that just makes it a good all-rounder!

Thanks for this informative post, Derek. I have removed the knob and taken photos. Apologies for the quality, it was very difficult to photograph the gloss black finish
So, based on these pics, which type and year do you think this Bedrock plane would be?

From the great Reference site you gave, it would appear to be more likely a Type 5 or 6A, as that corresponds to the markings on the body. In addition, the plane has the 1" depth adjustment wheel. The 1 1/4" diameter wheel came in with the type 6A in 1922, so I am assuming the wheel is still the original, it looked like it had a hard life, so I replaced it with the same type.

There is no "Made in USA" stamping on the body as you would expect on a Type 8

But I do not understand the term "cupping" of the knob receiver boss which would determine it is a type 8 as you say

Bedrock type 5.JPGP1360055 Large.JPGP1360053 Large.JPG

Great job D. I agree with all the others. It's amazing to think what they would have looked like brand new. I think yours is the best example I've seen.

Originally Posted by Dengue

Thanks for this informative post, Derek. I have removed the knob and taken photos. Apologies for the quality, it was very difficult to photograph the gloss black finish
So, based on these pics, which type and year do you think this Bedrock plane would be?

Attachment 479742Attachment 479743

Dengue

I am unable to view those pix. You may have to re-load them if others cannot see them also.

Regards
Paul

Thanks Paul. Have reloaded them. Can you see them now?

Yep,I can see the pics and it clearly has a ring or 'cup' around the front boss, which should make it a type 8.

If you read through Patrick Leach's "Blood & Gore", you'll get the impression that there are few totally reliable dating features on Stanley planes! They seem to have used multiple casting patterns at one time (probably not surprising, after the work that ges into making a pattern you'd want to use it 'til it wore out) and they often used bits on one type of plane long after they'd discontinued using them on others.

Edit: I also meant to say there is often disagreement between the dating gurus on when certain features first appeared. This bloke says the raised receiver (i.e. the 'cup') was introduced on the Bedrock line in 1911/12, while the plain Baileys got it much later...

I think you can safely say the plane is a good deal older than anyone capable of reading this thread.....

Cheers,

Derek, are those the correct pictures in your post? Both examples clearly have the ring around the boss; they may be slightly differently contoured, but they are raised rings. The #4 I have, which is 19C (pre-lateral adjuster), has the boss for the stud, but all around it is dead flat....

Great Restoration Job Dengue. It looks real good !
I was browsing on my phone and when I saw it and the mention of the new handles by Ian in that wood I thought " I'm turning on the big screen for this !" I went and turned the computer on .

One thing I did once to remove large backlash in a Stanley brass wheel was I placed it on a stanley thread and down onto a steel block and peened it back in with a cross peen hammer . A small brad hitting type . It worked and is lasting well but the peening introduced bumps . When I turn it now it feels indexed ! . The yoke ends are round and they click over the high spots . Nothing to bad about it . I don't mind it at all . Its on a no 4 that was Dads and is one of my most used.

Ian, I am not a student of Stanley planes, but do have enough interest to know where to find information when it is sought. Hence using the website of Bob Kaune. There are a couple of sites that point to Bailey versions, but his is the only one I know that collects info about Bedrocks. I have to be guided by this. (Link above).

Some details need to be seen from different angles, clearly.

I have a #605, which I restored. This looks like a Type 6 (1912-21).





Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Ian, I am not a student of Stanley planes, but do have enough interest to know where to find information when it is sought......

Derek, I suspect that my ignorance of matters historical vis a vis Stanley planes would comfortably exceed yours I was simply querying the pictures you included in post #18. It looks to my untrained eye like the two knob bases both have the raised ring around the bosses. If I am wrong, could you please explain the difference?

Here is my old 5.5, which pretty reliably dates to circa 1918 (at least 3 different dating charts agree on that), alongside a 50s-60s (English) #4. The 4 clearly has a ring, the 5.5 doesn't, which is as it should be, 'cos the raised ring didn't appear on the garden-variety Baileys until long after my 5.5 was born....

Cheers,

Ian, look at the shape of the rings ...



One is flat on the top, and the other is round.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by Dengue

Thanks Paul. Have reloaded them. Can you see them now?

All good now Dengy.

Regards
Paul