Replies

1. 
   user-343246 | Jul 18, 2005 08:51pm | #1

   Patents last for 18 years (I think).  So, it was made between 1913 and 1931.  Your next question, "what's it worth?"  Twenty bucks if it ain't broke.

   Matt

    

2. 
   JohnWW | Jul 18, 2005 10:28pm | #2

   According to the reference I checked, that style of block plane, which doesn't have an adjustable mouth, was only made between 1950 and 1958, but the reference photo doesn't look quite like yours.  Is there a model number like #18 1/4 stamped in the side below the thumb indentatation?  It is also possible that the plane was assembled from pieces of two other Stanley planes.

   John W.

1. 
   dmt | Jul 18, 2005 11:46pm | #4

   Try this

   http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.htmlEgret

3. 
   Steinmetz | Jul 18, 2005 11:45pm | #3

   Mik, Thats a knuckle joint block plane BUT without the later manufactured adjustable throat.

   The non ajustable throat indicates it's age.
   Concidering it's color. might have been for sale to the military?(Navy) or, for woodworking school shops
   Google up Knuckle joint block planes, (Stanley)and have fun.

   I scrolled through at least 100 pics, but couldn't find the exact tool. Steinmetz.

   Edited 7/18/2005 4:48 pm ET by Steinmetz

   
   

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   Edited 7/18/2005 4:51 pm ET by steinmetz

4. 
   Steinmetz | Jul 18, 2005 11:53pm | #5

   Mik, OOPS! I forgot the pic

   
5. 
   SawdustSteve | Jul 19, 2005 12:13am | #6

   Check the length of the plane. Is it 6 or 7" long?? There are so many model/type combinations that I could be worth between $20 and $250. Is there a number stamped on the SIDE of the casting? That info will help ID it. The other problem is parts are interchangible and it could make identification more dificult.
   SawdustSteve

6. 
   Fiddler | Jul 19, 2005 04:48am | #7

   Check the face of the plane iron at the top of the iron for identifying marks as well. The Stanley Blood and Gore link is a good one to check aoutg too.

7. 
   EdHarrison | Jul 19, 2005 06:32am | #8

   I believe that your plane does have an adjustable mouth and it is simply missing the lever cam adjuster.  Am I correct?  I have one exactly like the one you have pictured and I use it everyday.  I pd. about $50 on ebay, but mine was in sorry shape, needing a fair bit of fettling and rust removal.  I put the date between 1914 and 1920 based on the iron that mine has but this is not a fail-safe method of dating it.  Mine has the "Stanley, New Britain, Conn., USA"  logo in a V-shaped triangle on the iron, which puts it before the sweetheart era that started around 1920, but sometimes the old irons were used in Sweetheart era planes.  Does yours have that sort of logo on the iron?

   This is a fantastic block plane.  I bought a Hock iron for this and used it for a brief while then went back to the original iron because I feel like I can get it sharper with less effort and it seems to respond better to the adjustment mechanism.  Get the knuckle joint lever cap "dialed in" to where you can pop it off, flip the blade out, give the blade a quick honing touch-up, then pop the blade back in, and snap down the knuckle joint lever cap so it applies just the right amount of pressure - you will love it.   

    

    

8. 
   hammer1 | Jul 19, 2005 06:36am | #9

   This is a link to Patrick's "Blood and Gore", one of the better sites for Stanley planes. Your's looks like a # 18 1/4
   http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

9. 
   EdHarrison | Jul 19, 2005 06:57am | #10

   Found the digital camera, and, what's truly amazing, batteries for it.  First picture shows my plane which is virtually identical to the one you're asking about, second picture show that "V" logo, though blurry.

   It took a long time to get the sole truly flat, but was worth the effort.  There was a very shallow depression in front of the mouth, almost invisible to the naked eye, but getting that part ground flat made a huge difference in performance.  Good luck, Ed

    

   
10. 
    shopteacher | Jul 19, 2005 02:28pm | #11

    In picture #2 it looks like the casting is cracked (on the side).  If it is, the plane has minimal value (for parts).  Being a knuckle-joint levercap, it is probably either an 18, 18-1/4 or 19.  John Walter's book lists an 18 at between $20 and $45, an 18-1/4 at $100-$250 and the 19 at $35 to $75.  Of course age and condition are what make the final determination.

11. 
    WillGeorge | Jul 20, 2005 05:43pm | #12

    How old??

    Is it in here? 1902 I think...

     

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    Edited 7/20/2005 10:43 am ET by Will George

    
    

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    Edited 7/20/2005 10:45 am ET by Will George