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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    Default Australian Stanley Plane question

    I recently picked up an Australian Stanley Number 4 plane, manufactured in Hobart.

    I do realise that this was likely from the old Turner factory, but hadn't actually looked hard at many Australian-made Stanley planes previously.

    I just recently restored an English Stanley #4 for a friend and have done a couple of similar vintage US Number 4's as well.

    I was surprised by the quality of the machining and casting, as well as the quality of the blade on the Australian-made plane compared to both the US ones as well as the UK plane.

    Did The Australian Stanleys continue to keep the quality until the factory closed, or did they lose that?

    Thanks,

    Craig

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
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    2,205

    Default

    I used to have a good understanding of Stanley in Oz but I’m afraid the years have made me a bit vague.
    Anyway here’s what springs to mind, from personal observation and Bill Moss who was my boss when I was Ed Officer for Stanley NSW in 1980. Bill started the HTPA which has more info on their site.
    The Hobart facility was the Titan plant, set up after WW2 with BHP to employ returned servicemen.
    The Stanley No4 planes made there had wooden handles, cast iron frogs,cast ‘Y’ levers and lateral levers with the full disc.
    Stanley bought out Turner after they got into trouble in the 60s credit squeeze.
    Stanley production moved to Nunawadding which was the Turner factory.
    Stanley No4 planes then after the Turner/Pope innovation had die cast frogs and plastic handles.
    When I worked for Stanley in 1980 they had the above improvements plus from England split steel ‘Y’ levers and the lateral levers in one piece with the disc on a joggle.
    So in my opinion they didn’t maintain their overall quality as a plane although the blades and body castings were still ok.
    H.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default Thank you for the explanation

    Clear Out,

    Thanks for the explanation. I gather from that and the HTPA site, that the plane I picked up would likely post-date the Titan buy out, but predate the Turner buyout.
    My one incorporates the English style split steel "Y' lever and a lateral lever with the full disc. That seems a little different to what you have described. Not sure what to make of that.

    I found that the blade was extremely flat and easy to sharpen and the milling on the casting was really good.

    The wood is decent quality, but really comes up well if you French polish it. I'll add some pictures later, after I finish working on the plane

    Regards,

    Craig


    Quote Originally Posted by clear out View Post
    I used to have a good understanding of Stanley in Oz but I’m afraid the years have made me a bit vague.
    Anyway here’s what springs to mind, from personal observation and Bill Moss who was my boss when I was Ed Officer for Stanley NSW in 1980. Bill started the HTPA which has more info on their site.
    The Hobart facility was the Titan plant, set up after WW2 with BHP to employ returned servicemen.
    The Stanley No4 planes made there had wooden handles, cast iron frogs,cast ‘Y’ levers and lateral levers with the full disc.
    Stanley bought out Turner after they got into trouble in the 60s credit squeeze.
    Stanley production moved to Nunawadding which was the Turner factory.
    Stanley No4 planes then after the Turner/Pope innovation had die cast frogs and plastic handles.
    When I worked for Stanley in 1980 they had the above improvements plus from England split steel ‘Y’ levers and the lateral levers in one piece with the disc on a joggle.
    So in my opinion they didn’t maintain their overall quality as a plane although the blades and body castings were still ok.
    H.

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