Replies

1. 
   Bolts | Jun 01, 2006 11:26am | #1

   Bailey pattern was and probably still is the style of plane that Stanley made it should clean up fairly well depending on it age you can probably still get parts.

   regards from oz 

   You can make it fool proof but not idiot proof 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/1/2006 4:28 am ET by Bolts

2. 
   Glaucon | Jun 01, 2006 05:26pm | #2

   If I remember correctly, Leonard Bailey stated making metal planes shortly after the cvil war (~1867). His designs were innovative and legendary- he did for the US what Norris was doing in the UK. The Bailey line was acquired in the late 19th century by Stanley Lever and Rule, and Bailey's name appeared on their product for years afterward. There was a falling out between Stanley and Bailey, and he left to make planes under another name (Union?).

   The Bailey #7 jointer is a fine plane- and the US standard jointer. Stanley also made a more upscale jointer, the Bedrock 607, with a more sophistocated frog design, but they sold many more Bailey #7s than Bedrocks.

   $22 sounds like a good deal for the plane, but it would depend on the condition. If the throat and body are undamaged, than it should clean up nicely. I have a Bailey #5 jack (ca 1890) that I fettled, and it is my main hand plane.

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   AdamCherubini | Jun 02, 2006 12:30am | #3

   I believe stanley identified the #7 as a try plane, reserving the term jointer for the #8. As bogus as Stanley's names are/were, this is a pretty decent distinction. So the #7 should get the curved blade and frog set back a bit and the wider #8 the square blade and frog set forward a bit. A try plane would probably benefit from the superior bedrock frog, the #8 not so much (#5 not at all).Adam

3. 
   pzgren | Jun 02, 2006 01:18am | #4

   Dude!

     On the purely economic end of things, if it is complete, and not damaged, then you got a pretty good deal. Most #7s on the infamous auction site go for around $50 to $125, depending on type, condition, etc.

     On most early 20th Century Stanley planes, the word "Bailey" was cast on the toe of the plane; depending on the date of manufacture, you may or may not find "Stanley" elsewhere on the plane (usually on the lever cap). All made by the same guys (Stanley). (This is a generalization; I don't have any references handy at the moment, so I can't give the exact date range...)

     19th century Stanley and Bailey planes are a different story.......

   Cheers!

   James

4. 
   philip | Jun 02, 2006 07:55am | #5

   Show us a picture, but at that price providing there is no structural damage (cracks, welds etc) it is a gift. Well it would be to me at least, because having got it for a song I would be happy to give it a complete make-over to make it better than new.The #7 size is very versatile for furniture making .

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   pagoda | Jun 02, 2006 08:11am | #6

   Thanks to everyone for the input , i thought i had  bought some kind of abortion when i saw the different  company names on parts however i guess i was wrong

   As for the condition other than being dirty as hell there are no cracks or welds and i checked the body for straightness and it seems dead on

   All it seems to need besides more cleaning is to remove the teeth from the blade so all & all i feel ok on my purchase thanks to one and all on your observations

1. 
   highfigh | Jun 02, 2006 04:44pm | #7

   What do you mean "remove the teeth from the blade"?Look for a site at http://www.supertool.com for info on your plane. You'll be able to see descriptions and aging info on just about every plane Stanley made.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   pagoda | Jun 03, 2006 10:58am | #10

   The teeth i was refering  to are the result of someone cutting nails  and was said as a joke

2. 
   pzgren | Jun 02, 2006 07:04pm | #8

   <<All it seems to need besides more cleaning is to remove the teeth from the blade >>

     If these are regularly spaced (about 20 or 25 or so to the inch) and look like they were machine-made, then you might reconsider removing them: what you probably have is a toothing blade. If it's original, it may have some monetary/collector value, and will certainly have some historical value.

     A Hock or LN replacement iron for a #7 is only about $40±, and will provide exceptional service for a very long time.

   <<... i thought i had  bought some kind of abortion when i saw the different  company names on parts however i guess i was wrong...>>

     Also, as a side note, if you wanted a user plane, and, after you tune it up, it works to your satisfaction, then having mixed parts on it (if it actually does) is relatively unimportant, for practical purposes. For other reasons, including -- but not limited to -- collectibility, then you may well want all of the proper, type-specific parts. That, of course, is a determination that only you can make.

     Cheers!

   James

5. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Jun 02, 2006 08:36pm | #9

   Dude, it looks like you did really good. I dropped $86 for mine +s&h+a hock iron. As a point of reference it says only BAILEY on the toe and only No 7 a the rear. There are three patent dates ending in 02, 02 and 10 in front of the tote and under the adjuster.  It is in fact a 7c, clean as a whistle with a short squaty knob,  a beautiful sweeping shape on the cheeks, no rust, a perfectly crisp mouth and no name on the very clean cap.

   The only faults are the chipped top horn on the tote and while the japanning is 80% from the tote forward it is 40% in the rear. The super tool site that was mentioned will let you pinpoint the specific type. Congrats on a great find, Pat