Stanley #55 plane

**Dion N** · 19th June 2004, 11:29 PM

QUOTE=derekcohen]Hi Dion

Stanley #55 planes seem to be high on the wish list of most hand plane oriented woodworkers. I think that many of these planes never actually get used because, while they promise so much in terms of versatility, the reality is that they require a good amount of practice to learn to use. So they wind up being packed away, and finally sold. This means that they come up for sale fairly regularly. Their desirability does not wane, and prices generally remain high.

Still, price is going to depend on age, condition, rarity, and completeness of kit. An early example in an original box with all its cutters and high level of nickle - well, it's going to be expensive.

Here is a one that sold for $504 USD on eBay (USA)http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...100435361&rd=1

And this one sold for $310 AUD on eBay (Australia)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...100680252&rd=1

At the other end of the spectrum, this is what you get for $38 USD:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...101748231&rd=1

Bottom line, they range between expensive and more expensive.

Incidentally, what do you plan to do with this plane? Perhaps you could get away with something else.

Regards from Perth

Derek[/QUOTE]

Derek

I suppose this discussion about the Stanley #55 is a bit off topic, so I'll post here and put a copy into the Tools forum in case any other "toolophiles" want to make comments.

I was hoping to start collecting a "few" quality handtools (ever heard that before?), learn to use them over the next 30 years, and then get down to some serious woodwork once I retire.

Seriously, though, I enjoy using handplanes. I'm not particularly skilled as yet, but there is something strangely satisfying about a sharp plane producing a nice long shaving. I once bought an old wooden moulding plane and spent hours just making a pile of shavings in the shed.

Routers and router tables are great, and mine gets plenty of work, but it would be nice to produce edge mouldings without the noise, dust and the hassle of putting on all the relevant safety gear associated with the router.

Dion

**derekcohen** · 20th June 2004, 03:32 PM

there is something strangely satisfying about a sharp plane producing a nice long shaving

Dion, you have captured in one sentence the essence of woodworking with handplanes. Keep in mind that the same pleasure can be obtained from a wide range of hand tools - chisels, planes, saws, measuring tools, drills, turnscrews, the list goes on. While I am focussed with a target - building some piece or other, largely for the family - one of the great enjoyments for me is a silent communion with timber and a hand tool. I have a handplane or two, and more recently I have begun to enjoy cutting with handsaws, particularly old ones that I have restored each with a providence of their own. With music playing in the background, I can tune out thoughts of (real) work. Without an urgent deadline to meet, there is no pressure. I do use a lot of power tools, but these do not provide me with the same tactile and involving experience. So, yes, build up a collection of planes and enjoy them. It sounds to me that a #55 would be appreciated, but also look for old moulding planes. These are capable of much finer work.

Regards from Perth

Derek

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