Stanley 13-050 Small Combination Plane

**mike48** · 26th December 2010, 05:37 PM

Stanley 13-050 Small Combination Plane.

I am glad that someone has recently posted some comment about the plough plane version of this series, as it is a most underrated series of hand tools, and deserving of more attention and credit.

Seems that it was a modern version of the older Stanley 50 plane, and made in England only, but was an almost completely redesigned “50”.
Unfortunately, it also seems that it was too late, with power tools available to do some of the jobs.

I have not found much comment on the web about this series of planes.

My 13-050 combination plane is a gem.

When I first bought it about seven years ago, I was turned off by the nontraditional handle, but soon found that the plane was very well designed, and overcame what I thought were most the problems of the earlier Stanley 50.
I still prefer the Record 050A as my number one choice as a working combination plane in this size, but the Stanley feels very solid in use and cuts well.

The 13-050 is much much better than a Stanley 45 or a Record 405 for a lot of small to medium jobs.

The handle actually works well and feels good.
The spur cutters are beauties, large and sharp, work in both directions, and easy to sharpen.
(Stanley should have used this design in all their rebate type planes).
The depth “gauge” (and beading guide) has two guide pins, making it very stable, non-rocking, and precise.
The cutter clamp and cutter adjusting screw work well.
The sliding section slides very well, highlighting the precision machining, which is in evidence in other areas as well. I would have preferred the clamp screws to be on top though.
The plane comes with metric and imperial plough cutters (handy for European plywood sizes).
It can (just) use some 45 cutters, but not Record cutters (cutter pin slot is on other side).

I am very impressed with this plane. It just feels and looks so good in use.
I have attached a few photos, and there is a manual available in PDF form from The Cornish Workshop.

cheerio

**Mr Brush** · 26th December 2010, 09:08 PM

That's a very nice example of the breed you have there !

**Scribbly Gum** · 26th December 2010, 09:44 PM

Both this plane and the Record 050C were not greeted warmly by the traditional tool users of the time it seems.
The plastic handle was not particularly well liked and tended to get slippery when hands got sweaty.
I have used the Record but not the Stanley, and liked the way it handled. I think that the Stanley would be every bit as good to use as you describe.
About the only comment I recall reading about the Stanley was that the handle resembled a dog dropping.
I have sometimes thought of getting the Stanley to see if it was unjustly maligned. I am pleased that you have found it to be so useful.
Cheers
SG

**mike48** · 27th December 2010, 06:05 PM

Hi again,

I forgot to mention something about the 13-050 plane.

The spur cutters are easily adjustable in depth while you are using the plane.
The way Stanley have done this is brilliant.
Must bring back memories to some of the older full wooden planes with adjustable spurs.
Some types of planes in the overall series 12-050/13-050 do not have the spurs.

And while I was looking in my printed info about this plane I found some parts lists (which may be a bit hard to find) for these English made planes, and so for completeness, I have added them here.

Cheerio

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