Thread: Is this a genuine Stanley plane?

They are new stanley built to poor manufacturer levels of quality.
Can you take them back? If yes then I suggest you do. Hit the forum for some research and then buy something decent .
Buy cheap buy twice

That No.5 does look particularly crappy . I'd be looking to get my money back (for the No.5 at least).

If you don't want to spend too much on a plane you're better off buying an older one (the older, the better quality). If money's not a problem then look at a Lie-Nielsen www.lie-nielsen.com ; a Veritas www.leevalley.com ; or a Clifton (google).

Cheers, Vann.

Were they the handyman range? either way they should go back. Even the Wood River planes would be better or any Chinese plane by the look of that 5. Where did you buy them from? Go to the markets and buy oldies but goodies or as above Lee Valley Veritas or Lie Nielsen. I started with some oldies from the market, built up a good set, tuned them up and then sold them of for LV's and LN's.

Originally Posted by Claw Hama

Were they the handyman range?

I bought both on ebay. They are not the Handyman range.
I am happy with the No4. After some tuning it is working perfectly well.
As far as I can see, it is identical to the Stanley I bought second hand 20 years ago.

I am almost certain that the No5 is a fake. Nothing about it looks right. The box is missing the bar code.
Even the printing of the box is lower quality than the genuine box. I will try to return it.

Of course I know that Lie Nielsen and Veritas planes are better than Stanleys.
I bought Stanleys for the same reason I drive a 10 year old Falcon instead of a new BMW.
It isn't that I think old Falcons are better than BMW's.

Originally Posted by BigGayAl

Of course I know that Lie Nielsen and Veritas planes are better than Stanleys.
I bought Stanleys for the same reason I drive a 10 year old Falcon instead of a new BMW.
It isn't that I think old Falcons are better than BMW's.

Very well put.

Any reason you didn't buy an older Stanley? Is it rude to ask what you paid for them?

Originally Posted by BigGayAl

I bought both on ebay...
I am almost certain that the No5 is a fake. Nothing about it looks right. The box is missing the bar code.
Even the printing of the box is lower quality than the genuine box. I will try to return it.

I don't know the in-and-outs of Australian commerce law - but I suspect that No.5 is beyond doing up (that is, I doubt you could get it to take a shaving). As such, it's not fit for purpose - that should be grounds for cancelling the sale. But you may have to put a lot of pressure on the seller. Was the seller in Australia?

It's also possible that Stanley may be interested (not that their reputation for quality tools extends to their planes anymore) - but someone ripping off their products AND their name, may upset them.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Colin62

Any reason you didn't buy an older Stanley?

I am not confident I can judge the quality and condition of an old plane.

Originally Posted by Colin62

Is it rude to ask what you paid for them?

$63 for the No4 and $75 for the No5, including postage.

Al

Originally Posted by Vann

I don't know the in-and-outs of Australian commerce law - but I suspect that No.5 is beyond doing up (that is, I doubt you could get it to take a shaving). As such, it's not fit for purpose - that should be grounds for cancelling the sale. But you may have to put a lot of pressure on the seller. Was the seller in Australia?

It was an Australian seller. The consumer protection laws are clear enough but enforcing them can be impractical. I am trying to get my money back through PayPal.

Originally Posted by Vann

It's also possible that Stanley may be interested.

You would think so, wouldn't you? I sent them an email through their web site and got no reply. I will try calling them.

Al

Originally Posted by BigGayAl

I am not confident I can judge the quality and condition of an old plane.

There is a huge amount of knowledge here (and I don't include myself in that), and on top of that, lots of goodwill. If you have a plane you're considering buying, then popping a link up here will soon have a few replies from people who really know their stuff offering solid advice. Of course the down side is that that may push the price up a little

Your eye seems fine, I think you should trust yourself to look at a second hand one. There are plenty out there to choose from
so just look around and wait for a good one to turn up. Watch for cracks in the cast body is probably the main thing, most of the other bits can be replaced or repaired. I often picked up oldies that were broken or worn for $5 - $10 for spare parts. I only have a couple of stanlys left but one is a hybrid from parts of three planes with a new chunky blade from one of the group buys from the forum. It's an absolute gem of a plane. $63 & $75 you were about half way to a 5 1/4 Veritas which would do both the 4 & 5 work. Veritas® #5-1/4W Bench Plane - Lee Valley Tools
I drive an "old" Jeep but I save up for good planes

Originally Posted by BigGayAl

I am almost certain that the No5 is a fake. Nothing about it looks right. The box is missing the bar code.
Even the printing of the box is lower quality than the genuine box. I will try to return it.

Good Morning Al

Somehow, I just find it hard to believe this assertion.

I can understand someone replicating a Lie Nielsen, or a Lee Valley, or a Clifton, or a HNT Gordon plane. Wow, if only I had the skills to fake a Terry Gordon plane convincingly...........

But why would anyone try to fake a modern Stanley? Stanley do an excellent job at white anting their own reputation, or what's left of it.




Fair Winds

Graeme