Thread: Stanley 51 shooting plane... GIFTED to me!

Only a week after scoring what I thought was the deal of the decade (Record 405 with all the trimmings); today I was GIVEN a Stanley 51 shooting plane!

A gentleman named Russ had contacted the Bundy Woodworker’s Guild saying that he had a rather large collection of hand planes that he knew nothing about and wanted some advice on what they were and whether anyone would be interested in purchasing some of them. A couple of the members went for a visit and were somewhat surprised by the number of items he had; several of which they knew little about. The next time I attended the guild I was pounced upon and told in no uncertain terms that I simply had to visit this guy and help him sort through them.

So this morning I arrived at Russ’ place and proceeded to go through the collection. In sheer number terms there were around 60 or so woodies; mainly side beaders but with couple of dado planes, match planes, side rebates, hollows, rounds and shoulders. He also had three ploughs, a moving fillister and a rebate plane. About 90% of these items were Mathiesons; the more fancy ones were all in good condition and all had their irons; although some of the side beaders were cracked and had worn out boxing.

Then onto the metal bodied planes. Mostly Stanley US with several Sweethearts although a couple of Popes were hiding there. A 70’s 50 with the blades but missing all the jewellery, a pre-WW1 45 with all the normal jewellery but missing the cutters. A pair of 98/99 side rebates, block planes including a 140 and a Preston 1/2” ovelo shave. I spotted a 72 chamfer plane in good condition but without the additional bullnose toe (I had my eye out for the beading attachment too!) and finally, lurking at the bottom of the box I pulled out the 51. And went “wow!”.

Now; with every plane I pulled out I was explaining what it was and how they worked, occasionally mock-demonstrating how one would use it. Apparently the 72 had stumped everyone who had seen it, as had the wooden side rebates (well; actually nearly ALL the woodies were a mystery to everyone!) but this one had been recognised. I told him that this 51 was essentially the cream of the lot; and if cleaned up would probably account for 30-40% of the entire collection’s value. I explained that although these are highly sort after they generally never get used owing to their weak frog design so this was likely destined to end up with a collector and mounted on a shelf. All time I was talking he was taking notes and putting Post-it notes on most of the items for referencing at a later date.

Over coffee and cake he explained how he had come by them; they were collected by his father who intended to restore them in his retirement. Unfortunately he passed away without starting this and for the next two decades they languished in a shed; only recently had his mum finally accepted that they needed to go. Although I could give him some ballpark figures on their value he was more interested in seeing them go to people who would use them; or at least knew how to use them. Anyway; as time was getting on and we both needed to do other things I thanked him for showing me the collection and that I hoped I had been able to help him. At which point he casually handed me the 51; stating that he didn’t think he’d be able to find anyone else who would appreciate it as much as I would.

I. Was. Gobsmacked! Obviously I reminded him of the value etc but he was happy knowing that it would be looked after. I drove home mentally turning cartwheels!

Ok; having sat through that rather long narrative I expect you’d like some pics:
E29DB0AF-D18A-47DA-8E01-5DF96F5D6749.jpg 86AAD250-EBD9-4B66-937D-128D7051CF7C.jpg E76722AD-7D4B-498B-9B21-2F48C7590C33.jpg 64E3E551-4497-45EC-ACE2-3A56E6713A77.jpg

As can be seen it appears to date from around the mid to late 30’s; I don’t think it’s a WW2 build as it still had a brass depth adjuster. The japanning is 80-90% complete and the frog hasn’t been broken! What is missing though is the lateral adjustment lever; the rivet is still there so it was probably put together by Billy-Bob on a Friday afternoon. Not a problem, I can contact Hans Brunner for an age related on to fit.

Now what to do with it? Other than replacing the lateral adjuster really there’s not that much needed to get it sorted beyond a damn good cleaning. They were made for over 20 years with little in the way of improvement so the weak frog couldn’t have been of much concern otherwise Stanley would have improved it. So... I intend to get it working again. I have a spare Titan HSS iron or two that can be used in lieu of the laminated OEM iron but even with a better blade I will be careful to only use it for light cuts on the shooting board; maybe also for demo’s.

Footnote: normally my luck is like a bald man who’s won a comb; but this is the 2nd time in a week the Bluebird Of Happiness has visited me without voiding it’s bowels... I have therefore resolved that tomorrow I shall be purchasing a Lotto ticket and asking Scarlett Johansson for a date.