Thread: stanley/bailey plane

Sorry folks, its a 4 1/2.

I'm not in Australia, so I'm not 100% sure of the price of planes there, but $120 sounds a bit much for that. The handles date it to somewhere around the 70s at best, well after Stanley made their best planes.

A quick glance at ebay looks like you could pick up something older (and therefore better) for a fair bit less than that.

Even unused planes of that vintage are not worth $120. Maybe $20 but you can pick up a much better, older example for around the same price.
Leave that one for someone who wants to put it on the mantlepiece not as a user.

Do you all think its worth grabbing.

I don't think any of 'us' (handplane obsessed galoots) would say it was worth grabbing at that price. You should be able to pick up a better, earlier plane for half of that price.

Yes - mint condition in box is perfect for collecting, but you can get a lot of plane for $120.

A little rusty and unloved is perfect for rehabilitation and possible upgrade of iron+cap-iron.

Cheers,
Paul

PS - a WoodRiver #4 from Jim Davey is $175
Jim Davey Planes & Sharpening - eShop - Sales

a refurbished #4 (standard iron) $130
Jim Davey Planes & Sharpening - eShop - Sales - Search result:

or ebay or just ask on this forum ... probably a bargain not too far from hand.

I know it's hard to get your head around when you're new to this hobby, but a dirty old well-used plane that works, is far better than a nice shiney one that's a dog. The plastic/resin handles date the plane to an era (late 1970s or 1980s) when Stanleys quality control had gone out the window. So the chances of it being a crapper are mucher than for an earlier plane. Maybe there's a reason it never been used....

Cheers, Vann.

(that's not to say you couldn't fluke a good one)

Originally Posted by spokeshave

Hi eveyone.

Have the opportunity to get hold of an old stanley/bailey no.4 hand plane.

It is in it's original cardboard box and has never been used. Its on a swap and sell website so have no pics to show you but looks in realy good nick and is for sale for $120.

My main concern is that it has bakelite handles (is this a clue to its age and worth) and i dont know how old it actually is.

Do you all think its worth grabbing.

Thanks.

Steven.

Hi Steven

is it a real #4 or #4-1/2 or does the box have a number starting with 12?
something like 12-004

The 12 series were Stanley's down market "handyman" planes produced at a time when their "proper" planes had already gone down hill

the current Stanley 12- series planes are described by Amazon as "contractor grade"

Thank-you all for your replies.

May give it a miss then.....shame, thought i was onto something good. Un-used old stanley plane still in the box, was all excited !!!

I want to gather up a small collection of planes (maybe a #4, a #6 and possibly a block plane) that would be a useful starting point. Old tools have always held an attraction for me so i would like to have good quality older Stanley planes instead of something newer.

I've been to swap meets that have tables full planes, but have always been gun shy simply because i'm still of the un-washed variety so dont know what to look out for. Dont want to spend money on poor quality planes. Obviously plastic handles is a good give-away on sub-standard tools.

What other features should i be looking out for to distinguish good from bad? I know there are a multitude of different Stanley planes, but any little tip will surely help.

Again, thanks for your help.

Steven.

Originally Posted by ian

Hi Steven

is it a real #4 or #4-1/2 or does the box have a number starting with 12?
something like 12-004

The 12 series were Stanley's down market "handyman" planes produced at a time when their "proper" planes had already gone down hill

the current Stanley 12- series planes are described by Amazon as "contractor grade"

Sorry ian, the ad only had one pic. It was a side on photo of the plane in it's box, couldn't see any numbers but was advertised as a 4 1/2.

Steven.

Originally Posted by spokeshave

Hi eveyone.

Have the opportunity to get hold of an old stanley/bailey no.4 hand plane.

It is in it's original cardboard box and has never been used. Its on a swap and sell website so have no pics to show you but looks in realy good nick and is for sale for $120.

My main concern is that it has bakelite handles (is this a clue to its age and worth) and i dont know how old it actually is.

Do you all think its worth grabbing.

Thanks.

Steven.

Steven,
I was walking through a junk shop on the Mornington Peninsula yesterday, and saw a #4, Hobart made Stanley with hardwood handles, and in the original box with an oil stone wrapped in a cloth.
The box had black plastic tape all over the top, and the plane was almost un-used.
They wanted $60 something for it.
A decent user grade Stanley, made in USA, about 1920 - 1935 would be a much better plane to get. That was around the golden era of Stanley plane making.
Planes worth looking at are the ones Stanley made for other US retailers, Winchester, and Keen Kutter come to mind. They are early Bedro0ck style planes and are pretty good to restore and use.
Just had a look, and one of the QLD tool dealers has a KK 4 1/2 for $135....not bad, compared to a plastic handle AU made plane...no comparison!
Regards,
Peter

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at pmcgee's links from his post above, Jim Davey Planes.

He has got a Stanley 4 1/2 refurbished with a sharpened iron ready to go for $140 plus postage.

Would this be a good option?

Steven.

Originally Posted by spokeshave

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at pmcgee's links from his post above, Jim Davey Planes.

He has got a Stanley 4 1/2 refurbished with a sharpened iron ready to go for $140 plus postage.

Would this be a good option?

Steven.

it would be well done and in peak condition .. you still may do better by trying to get one from a tool sale, doing it up yourself and putting on one of the after market blades

you may also find it cheaper to go for a number 3 or number 4 ... still smoothing planes but probably cheaper ... the number 4 is a 2" blade 4½ is 2 and 3/8" .... was there a particular reason you wanted a 4½?

regards david

Originally Posted by spokeshave

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at pmcgee's links from his post above, Jim Davey Planes.

He has got a Stanley 4 1/2 refurbished with a sharpened iron ready to go for $140 plus postage.

Would this be a good option?

Steven.

Hi Steven

It depends on your budget and what you want the plane for.
My personal preference for a first plane is a #4 or #5, IMO the #4-1/2 is too wide to begin with

I know Jim, can I suggest you call or email him and discuss what you are after.
Along with refurbished Stanleys, Jim sells the Woodriver planes which many rate as being as good as planes costing 2 to 3 times as much

Originally Posted by spokeshave

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at pmcgee's links from his post above, Jim Davey Planes.

He has got a Stanley 4 1/2 refurbished with a sharpened iron ready to go for $140 plus postage.

Would this be a good option?

Steven.

Steven,
I use a 4 1/2 occasionally, but not as a smoothing plane, the usual use they are recommended for. (use infill planes for that now.)
Whether the price of any tool, particularly at retail, is about right is a personal thing.
It is also a personal choice if you want to learn how to restore a plane yourself. I very strongly recommend you do a couple of plane restorations, it very quickly will teach you what a plane is all about, and the skills learned are not only applicable to that job.
There are plenty of resources on-line to help you do that.
I regularly have a table at the HTPAA tool sales, and some buyers come with a budget of $25 to spend on the day, others come with $2500 to spend...and they spend it.

If a plane is properly tuned up, (and Jim knows his way around planes) and you have the cash to spend...go for it.
It really is your choice. I think the time spent to renovate a plane, at decent tradesman rates, would be much more than the price quoted.

Regards,
Peter

PS just read the post above whilst typing my reply...good point about using a #3...I prefer that size myself.
Next HTPAA tool sale is 14th July