Thread: Stanley Hand Plane Restoration - What Die for Brass Adjusting Nut?

Basically, when Leonard Bailey selected the threads he used on his planes, way back in the second half of the 1800s, there were no standard threads. Once standard threads were established, only one of the many threads he used became a standard thread (the set screw that holds the cap and cutting irons together).

So, probably the only remaining application in the whole world, for the thread you want, is for Stanley planes - and many of the clones (Record, Falcon-Pope, etc.), but not all clones (WS Tools, etc.) There are sources for the taps and dies - usually from the States I believe - but you'll need to do some sleuthing to find them.

It's also probable that some Chinese firms are so CNC focused that they can simply punch in the numbers and produce whatever threads you want (but may still have minimum orders of 10,000 ).

Left hand threads: a normal nut rotates clockwise to tighten. A left hand thread spirals in the opposite direction so that you turn it anti-clockwise to tighten.

HTH.

Cheers, Vann.

I'd be curious if you find a supplier of a tap and die set. I've googled on a few occasions and seen various references to ebay sellers but all years old and links haven't worked when I've clicked on them.

You can buy spares kits that have spare parts for all the bolts - google Stanley 5 spares kit for eg. I've got some good replacements for Stanley 78's and 4's and 5's that way. They are a little pricey for what they are - you might be better off just buying a very cheap "dogmeat" plane and stripping it for parts.

There are dedicated Stanley hand plane groups on Facebook.

They maybe able too help if you get no help hear.
Tho I always come hear first for help, because I like hear better [emoji6].

Cheers Matt

Originally Posted by bushkarma

Can anyone tell me whether it's possible to buy a die to do the job .... I see NC and NF versions of this thread on eBay separately and in various sets but have never used a tap and die set and am not sure about the 'American unified' spec or the left hand thread aspect.

Any help much appreciated.

You can get a thread repair file which will fix your problem.

I was chasing a tap as I wanted to make my own knobs for a couple of Falcon planes I have. I searched high and low and came up empty handed.

Cheers Andrew

Jim Davey might be able to help you with your problem - Jim Davey for Premium Woodworking Tools | Falls Creek NSW

A few years ago I got a tap from Goliath, it wasn't cheap, around $100 if I recall correctly (some things you don't want to remember ��)

Originally Posted by bushkarma

I'm restoring a Stanley Bailey No 5 1/2 hand plane and the thread on the 'bolt' for the brass adjustment nut is a little cross threaded I believe. I don't want to force the nut on fearing it may become damaged also so was thinking of using a die to repair the 'bolt' thread. It is supposed to be a 9/32"-24T American unified form LEFT HAND THREAD.

Can anyone tell me whether it's possible to buy a die to do the job .... I see NC and NF versions of this thread on eBay separately and in various sets but have never used a tap and die set and am not sure about the 'American unified' spec or the left hand thread aspect.

Any help much appreciated.

my suggestion is to contact Lie-Nielsen USA and ask for the required #5-1/2 spare parts -- threaded bolt, adjusting nut and yoke -- to be shipped to you. (US Postal service is probably your best option.)
Yes, your restored plane will become a bit of a "Frankenplane" and not be a true restoration, but as Vann notes, Stanley planes date from before the time that screw threads were standardised. Self-importing the required spare parts could be less that 1/100th the cost of obtaining the required "correct" LH threaded die.

Originally Posted by AJ.

I was chasing a tap as I wanted to make my own knobs for a couple of Falcon planes I have. I searched high and low and came up empty handed.

Cheers Andrew

Hi Andrew
your "easiest" solution might be to recut the threads using a slightly larger tap set.

I've had success in the past repairing damaged threads simply by tidying them up with a fine triangular file (needle file?) removing minimal material and regularly trying the nut until it's running smoothly.
Cheers,
Geoff.

Originally Posted by ian

Hi Andrew
your "easiest" solution might be to recut the threads using a slightly larger tap set.

i was planning to just make my own tap, but that is a fair way down a long list of jobs.

cheers Andrew

Jim Davey has taps I brought in from the states about 30 years ago and never used.
I was going to reproduce frogs for 51s and 113 etc.
After getting the epoxy dies made for the waxes I got sidetracked.
H.