Thread: Where would I get a replacement handle for a Bailey #5?

Do a Google Images search for Lee Valley Plane tote template; LV produced full sized paper templates for making your own.

Otherwise there are a few dealers on Ebay who sell them.

Thanks for replying.

I had a look at eBay - I often find it such a lottery.

Just found a Facebook group for buying selling hand tools and put a post there.

I think if I was going to spent the time making one, I would do it for a nicer plane as opposed to a 'daily driver', if you know what I mean.

Hi Scott. Good practice to make them yourself (using the template CT suggested) and being a regular user should be even more reason to do them

You might then be better off looking for complete planes at a flea market; a dirty & rusty plane can be had for $20 (mileage my vary) which is much cheaper than the spares would be.

You can buy the modern plastic handle and knobs new from Stanley; and old rosewood ones from dealers such as The Tool Exchange, but if your plane is a typical English or Australian model of undeterminable age with hardwood bits then a whole plane would be easier and cheaper to buy.

Saying that; if this is a plane you use a LOT then making your own means you can customise it to match your own grip. I personally love the feel of the pre-1930 shapes; they just fill my hand so much better. Later ones need the horn raising/thinning out at least; and I hate ones that have "corners" instead of being oval in cross section. My "daily ride" is a Type 11 (1911 vintage) that will have to be prized from my cold, dead fingers; it just feels so good in the hand.

It would be a nice thing to do - make a new handle from scratch. One day...

Gumtree seems better than eBay. Surprisingly few in Sydney - everything is always in Sydney, so that's odd. There is a bloke at a Sunday market in Marrickville where I am who sells tools, but they'll be expensive.

This looks like a good prospect: Stanley Bailey No5.5 plane and Hand drill | Hand Tools | Gumtree Australia Gold Coast North - Paradise Point | 1287662458

I guess then I'll still be looking for a handle.

You may pick up a working 5.5 for less than the asking price for that one, but it looks in reasonable condition and probably mid to late 60's (English Stanleys are very hard to date accurately, but the fact it has wooden (Beech) handles makes it comfortably pre-1980). The price is more than you might find at a flea market for an equivalent job, but isn't unreasonable & it looks like a very good prospect for 'restoration'. I used to prefer the #5, but after inheriting a 5.5 I ended up switching loyalties.

And I second what others have said - making a new handle is far less challenging than you may expect - it's just a tiny bit of wood in any case, so you can have several goes at it without ending up bankrupt. If you really don't want to roll your own, I'm sure I have a spare tote & knob that would suit - you can have them for postage. PM me if interested....
Cheers,
Ian

Paul Sellers did a great video on making plane handles. As others have said, a great challenge and it will turn your ordinary user into something a bit more special to you.
Bruce

If your in Sinny the TTTG are holding their annual tool sale at Thornleigh on Feb 20th.
Bob el pressidento makes handles.
H.

I am pretty sure I have one for a 4 1/2 I do not know if it is the same, I will hunt it up tomorrow, some one who knows the intricacies of planes better than I may know if it will do, if so you are welcome to for it the price of post

Originally Posted by China

I am pretty sure I have one for a 4 1/2 I do not know if it is the same, ....

I think not, China - the #5 is the first in the series to get the little screw in the toe of the tote. IIRC, the length is much the same so you could probably drill a hole in it for the toe screw. I'm pretty sure I still have at least one set of woodwork left that will bolt straight on without need of modification, I'll check later & make sure...
Cheers,

Originally Posted by clear out

If your in Sinny the TTTG are holding their annual tool sale at Thornleigh on Feb 20th.
Bob el pressidento makes handles.
H.

DEFINITELY GO TO THIS!
lots of nice hand tools for sale, make sure you browse through everything.

Originally Posted by IanW

I think not, China - the #5 is the first in the series to get the little screw in the toe of the tote

Sorry Ian; the 4-1/2 definitely uses two fasteners, same as the 5, 5-1/2, 6,7 & 8.

The 5-1/4 on the other hand shares the same tote as the 3 and 4.

Thanks all.
Ian, if you happen to have a spare tote (didn't know it was called that) and knob, I will gladly pay postage and then some - I'll PM you.
I'll go to that event, Clear Out. I fear what I might buy, but that's to be expected.
Bruce, I've watched that Paul Sellars video on handle making. In my shed when someone wants to do something we collectively have no knowledge of, I say, 'What would Paul do?' And we watch a video. I think he has around 350 of them.
I will make a handle one day - promise. I'll need to get a plane that is 'handle worthy', if you know what I mean. I'd like to make some saws one day, too.

Take it from someone who never made a handle before - the Lee Valley template makes it very easy, especially if you have a drill press. Because the template is oriented such that you just need to drill vertically for the stud, there is no angle to get wrong. Once that hole is drilled, it's really just shaping which can be as quick or as painstaking as you like. I think I had mine done in about 4 hours total broken up over a day. If you've got a spindle sander or finer rasps than mine or no distracting little children, you'll be done in half the time (or less). Repairing plane handles