Thread: New Stanley planes - where have they gone

Derek from Perth bought them all and has hoarded them away for when his LN/LV planes get blunt.

That could explain it. I had a quick look on ebay and didn't see any so wondered if they were so good that no-one wants to part with them, or so bad that they are embarrassed to admit buying one in the first place.
Cheers,
Jim

I have one , the LAJ. It's pretty good and I'm not selling it. I don't have aLN or LV LAJ to compare it to, so I suppose you have to take my opinion for what its worth on that basis.

Thanks Jeremy, I will take your word for it.
Cheers,
Jim

It would be interesting to read a comparison as it's significantly cheaper than the other options, $127 or $154 US according to the Stanley website.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Derek from Perth bought them all and has hoarded them away for when his LN/LV planes get blunt.

's true!

No room in the shed left to store them (too many LN/LVs), so they are piled outside under the salt bags near the pool. They should be right for the winter, yes?

Regards from Perth

Derek

You could always see if they float Derek.
Seriously do you ever feel the urge to reach for one of the Stanleys (for woodworking that is)
Cheers,
Jim

Hi Jim

I do have a few Stanleys, and some get used. I don't use them on hardwoods with interlocked grain, but I do use them on softwoods or medium hardwoods with straight grain. The main problem is the wood. Much of mine is recycled Jarrah and other local hardwoods. These are all well-seasoned and apt to tear out significantly with common angle planes (even with a Spier infill I restored). That is my main criticism of Stanley. The advantage of BU planes is in the high cutting angles that can be achieved. Still, I probably have more BD planes with high beds.

Of the Bailey-format, I have a #3 and #4 that I like. I used to use a #5 1/2 as my main jack plane until I built a woodie, which I much prefer. Similarly, I have a great #7, which lies on the shelf as it has been replaced by two woodies I built. There is also a LN #4 1/2, but this gets used as it has a 55 degree frog for interlocked grain.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Don't have any Stanley bench planes apart from a block plane that was passed down to me. I do have one of the prettiest Stanley planes - a router with the 'antique' lettering. I have its little brother but that's only just over forty years; bought it new.
The new Stanley's really don't seem to have made much impact on the Australian scene do they?
Cheers,
Jim

Bad timing maybe??

This "re-birth" of the Stanley planes seems to have coincided with the Woodriver planes finally reaching acceptable quality (although it took them a few attempts...).

The latest Woodriver planes are readily available at very good prices through major outlets in the US, and through a couple of resellers locally (e.g. Jim Davey). Having tried a few, and based on the comments of friends who bought them, the Woodriver are a pretty good quality plane for the typical hobby woodworker. Excellent value for money.

Stanley may find that their position in the cheaper end of the market has been taken by someone else with better distribution arrangements?

Do Woodriver make a #7 and a 4 1/2 ? I wonder if they'll bring out a low angle jack

I think a #6 is the biggest plane Woodriver offer at the moment.

However, I believe that a #7 is in the works. Maybe contact Jim Davey (via his website) for an update on this?

Originally Posted by Sam

Do Woodriver make a #7 and a 4 1/2 ? I wonder if they'll bring out a low angle jack

The UK Workhop Heaven has released this picture a few months ago. Its a low angle plane from the same manufacturer as the woodriver planes, Quasheng from China.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CJX-vuYDiA...jack+plane.JPG

And his blog: Matthew's Blog at Workshop Heaven

Originally Posted by Wilco Flier

The UK Workhop Heaven has released this picture a few months ago.

Yes, I've been keeping my ear to the ground on this one but I've not heard or seen any more than what's been posted on Matthew's blog.

I'd really like to hear a little more on it as I'm almost ready to make a purchase of a low angle smoother and jack. I've had a good read up on the new Stanley LAJ but I'm not convinced.

Regards,

Denim.