Thread: Stanley No 5 Type 20 Plane

based on a bit of quick research, and without seeing it, it sounds like your is similar to others

Stanley Type 20 plane restoration with pictures. -

Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum
https://forum.canadianwoodworking.co...2&d=1334460365

can see what you mean by the rear handle being different

Without seeing pictures I would say you have a no-name clone that someone has simply put a Stanley lever cap on.

To me the big giveaway is the handle; the single screw and dimple securing method was only used on number 4’s and smaller.

Sorry but can't figure how to post pictures. However I looked at the photos posted by Zsteve and that is the same plane that I have. I thought it odd that there were no manufacturer markings on the bed.
Thanks

I purchased the plane to have a number five to use. It wasn’t in the greatest condition but it was relatively inexpensive. I plan to refurbish it, knowing it is not a collector piece. However if it’s not a Stanley bed and the only Stanley piece is the lever cap then the seller misrepresented the plane on EBay. I want to be sure of this before I make that statement to the Seller.

Originally Posted by Robco51

I'm new to this site and hope this is the correct place for this question. I recently purchased a Vintage Stanley No 5 smooth bottom plane on Ebay. It has no patent numbers, a raised ring surrounding the knob screw, and the bed is painted blue. This appears to be a type 20 (1963 to 1967). My question is the bed does not have the word "Bailey" or the "NO 5" embedded in the casting. There is no manufacturer indication is on the plane except for the lever cap that says "STANLEY". The handle does not appear to be similar to any No 5 Stanley planes and only has a single long screw. a second hole in the hole fits over a dimple in the rear raised ring for the handle.
I want to know if this is a Stanley No 5 bed or that from another plane. Please advise if you know.
Thanks

Handle.jpgPlane Body.jpgEbay_1.jpgEbay_2.jpgEbay_3.jpg

I have attached the three photos of the plane from Ebay and the handle and body after I took the plane apart. The handle is different from photos I see of a Stanley No 5 Type 20 plane and the body has no manufacturer identification other than "Made in USA". Do all the type 20 planes from 1962 to 1967 look the same?

Hi, my first thought is that it is a Stanley Handyman no. 5.
The US ones have just "Made in USA" on the body, but they also have a Handyman stamped on the levercap. Which yours doesn't, but it's also the commonly swapped part of a plane by accident or on purpose.
The I'm pretty sure the earlier Handyman models (1950s-60s?) have straight-sided frogs and the bent finger touches on the lateral lever adjuster - like yours. Plus some have an unusual truncated rear handle (aka tote) which judging by the small boss on the body, and the handle itself, yours could have.

Here's an example of a Stanley Handyman no.5:
#4 Vintage Stanley Handyman No 5 USA H1205 Smooth Bottom Wood Plane Tool | eBay

And here's the odd truncated rear handle on one type of Stanley Handyman:
images (26).jpeg

Unless I missed it - what does the stamp on the cutting iron say?

The Stanley Bailey no. 4 type studies out there won't really help much with dating a Stanley Handyman model. Here's some interesting discussion about the range:
The Infamous Stanley "Handyman" Line of Planes & Tools - by poopiekat @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

V

Sorry Chief, but US made Stanley Handyman frogs did have straight-sides, not ogee, and the bent-steel finger-touch on the lateral levers. And small bosses for truncated rear handles. Not the whole run, but early 50s or 60s ones certainly.

V

Originally Posted by dubrosa22

Sorry Chief, but US made Stanley Handyman frogs did have straight-sides, not ogee, and the bent-steel finger-touch on the lateral levers. And small bosses for truncated rear handles. Not the whole run, but early 50s or 60s ones certainly.

V

I have deleted my post as clearly I was incorrect. I have only seen Handyman planes in the Number 4 size and they still managed to have proper handles but your linked Lumberjocks article opened my eyes to a whole new world of Stanley… products! Thanks for correcting me.

Robco; please accept my apologies for misleading you with my incorrect statements.

Chief, you're right the Handyman models are a dark horse in old Stanley's stables.
Not many folks delve into them - I went quite nearly mad trying ID a Handyman plane I had that broke all the rules of the Stanley Bailey types.

V

Thanks for the input. That photo looks exactly like my plane except mine has the Stanley lever cap whch could have been switched at some point in time. There are no markings on the chipper, blade or adjusting lever on the frog. I need to be more diligent in asking questions and observing the photo of what is being offered.
My concern is whether the Seller knew what he was selling or not based on how he posted the plane!