A few years ago I inherited this tiny little plane. Its a cast-iron body; the sole is about 3.5″ long and 1.25″ wide, coffin-shaped. Its got a handle on it like a swan neck, like the handles you used to see on a cast iron stove to lift off the tops.
Anybody know what this is? Violin maker’s plane, maybe? I know what I’m going to use it for; I discovered that set very fine and run along the edge of a board it cuts a sweet little chamfer.
Replies
Chad,
Don't have my copy of The Plane book handy but I know it's not a violinmakers plane; they are only about as long as your's is wide.
Seems to me I've seen that one you're describing, maybe in a Garret Wade catalog? If I get a chance, I'll head out to the shop later and check my book. Sounds like a nice little guy!
Kell
Hi Chad... What you have is a Stanley #100 Block Plane. It was manufactured from 1898 to 1958. 'Later' models, those after 1940, have model numbers cast in the top of the handle and a red lever-cap. So, if yours doesn't have anything cast into the handle it is pre 1940. Collectors prices are all over the place, starting as low as $25 and then up to $80 or so. Price depends on the condition.
Hope this info helps.... SawdustSteve
"... What you have is a Stanley #100 Block Plane. It was manufactured from 1898 to 1958. 'Later' models, those after 1940, have model numbers cast in the top of the handle and a red lever-cap. So, if yours doesn't have anything cast into the handle it is pre 1940. Collectors prices are all over the place, starting as low as $25 and then up to $80 or so. Price depends on the condition..."
Cool! Another vintage Stanley plane to go with my #2! Thanks for the info, Steve!
I have to tell you how I got these, and most of my other tools. In 1990 my clueless then-girlfriend left her car unlocked in Roxbury, Mass. (a poor, predominantly black Boston neighborhood), with my tool chest in it. Yup, when she got back to the car the tool chest was gone. That was in the summer.
At Thanksgiving I was here at the house and Dad said, "Come down to the barn. I want to show you something." Down at the barn was a huge wooden chest of tools - chisels, marking tools, drill bits, planes, - including this little Stanley. (The #2 was Dad's.) A neighbor had retired and sold out all his stuff before moving to Florida. Dad bought the chest of tools for me. "An early Christmas gift", he said.
So with the exception of a couple of things I've bought since, all my tools are either from that chest or inherited from my Dad. I'll never part with them.
Edited 12/29/2004 7:26 pm ET by Chad
Patrick Leach has a site describing most (if not all) Stanley planes.
http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html
Yeah, great site! And I found my little #100 guy in there very easily. Thanks, Leon!
AMT of Royersford Pa. used send out a freebie like that in the 80's. cast in taiwan, but serviceable with attn.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Forgot to mention, Patrick sells stuff too.You'll have to e-mail him to get on his list, it comes out monthly, lots of stuff on it, first one with the bucks gets the buy.[email protected] is his e-mail addy.Have a good one.Leon Jester
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