I have had this put up for several years it belonged to my Dad. Its in good shape and hair splitting sharp Stamped on the blade is -“Stanley Rule & Level Co.”The chip breaker has” L. Bailey’s patent Dec. 24 1867″. Its a well made little plane just wondering what kind of plane you would call it- block plane???What would it been used for. Any ideas how old it is.
Thanks for your help
Ron
Replies
Ron, It looks to me like a #1 or #2 smooth plane, not very common. How old it is is hard to tell. Petey
If that tape reading is right it should be a No.1. On the front by the round knob should be a number cast into it...either 01, 02, etc., If it is a number one and depending on condition it could be worth 800-1200$..
Ron
It looks like a No 1 to me .If so it could be valuable .Stanley did not put numbers on no 1 or 2 planes.For more info check out http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan1.htm
It will help you identify it
Edited 1/12/2003 10:03:39 PM ET by jako
Thanks for the link jako ,I check it out I think its a no.1 but not for sure- theres no # cast on it .Sent the man a pic. hopefully he can ID it. Man I got some more old planes I need to dig out I know I have a big Stanley jointer and couple others in storage.
Thanks
Ron
Edited 1/12/2003 11:16:24 PM ET by ron61
Check out the book" Stanley Tools a guide to identity and value" by John Walter with that you can date it . In good shape 1600-2000 bucks .Check also E bay
It's very likely a type 2, and the date of manufacture is in the period covered by the patent on the adjustment knob. There will be no model # cast into the base. It's rare, appears to be in very good condition and is likely very expensive. I have a #7 of the same type. It doesn't have a lateral adjuster, and I've been advised not to use it, but why not? I am not a collector.
Bruce
Oldwing
patten date under the adjustment Knob? The flat brass knob? Theres a patten date on the chip breaker- L. Balley's patten Dec. 1867" its a football shape. The blade logo" Stanley Rule & Level Co." half moon shape. I took some better pics. The pic showing the Brass knob, that's original wood dust sorry should have wiped it off.
Ron
As far as I've been told, the patent date on the adjustment knob is the real giveaway. Also the adjustment knob should be solid, as opposed to dished out. I can't tell by looking at your pic. Whichever type yours turns out to be, it's rare.
Go here for the definitive way to tell the type of your plane, and thereby the approximate manufacture dates: http://users.easystreet.com/onlnlowe/misc/stantypestudy.html
Bruce
The Knob is solid and I cant see a date
Ron
I wouldn't use it. Keep it safe somewhere, but the value to a collector out-weighs the sentimental value of a tool like this one. Hand it down to your kids when you're done, but I would not use a plane of this size ever, much less an expensive one
Tom
Ron,
It's a No 1 if the tape is accurate. To confirm this, the blade should be 1 1/4" wide, No2 blades were 1 5/8".
I'm no expert on this, but it could even pre-date Stanley tool works and be a genuine Bailey plane with a replacement Stanley blade. If not, it could be a type 1 (first ever model made and therefore valuable, even more so than later models). For this reason, I would not even guess at the price, as well as the condition cannot really be determined from the photo.
Now, you face the hard call - do you want to sell it or keep it for sentimental reasons?
If you sell it, I suggest that you do it on consignment through a reputable dealer. Don't take any offers beforehand.
If you keep it, you're in company. My uncle left me a No2. Beautiful little plane that still gets used occasionally.
Cheers, eddie
Edited 1/13/2003 1:13:06 AM ET by eddie (aust)
The blade is 1 1/4. The front knob has more of a mushroom shape to it, the others I have seen are more round.
Hi Ron,
Mushroom knobs are early vintage. Looks like a good little find either way (heirloom or sale).
Well Done,
eddie
Edited 1/13/2003 6:24:12 PM ET by eddie (aust)
Please take the small plane into your house and put it in a safe place on the TV or mantle. Do not leave it in your shop, do not sharpen it, do not use it, do not let any child even handle it. If you drop it and it is even slightly damaged, it is good for about $300 of parts. As a complete No.1, it is worth in excess of $1000.00 to quite a number of collectors. Check out complete auctions on EBAY if you doubt me. The No.1 was never marked, but if you have a no.2, it will be marked in the bed near the front knob. The style of the trademark on the iron will confirm the approximate date of manufacture. Football shape, prior to 1872; half-moon- 1872 - 1888, two parallel lines, 1888-1892. Preserve it with a light wipe-down of protective oil on the metal, and furniture wax on the tote & knob. Congratulations!
John in middle Tennessee
Sorry, but if that plane belonged to my father or grandfather and they used it their work, I would use it in my own work as well. Seems silly to me to relegate a perfectly good plane to the display shelf. Use it for it's intended purpose and treat it respectfully. Tom
I know what you are saying but at the risk of damaging it and seeing was your grandfathers plane why not get a #3 which can be picked up for $15 or $20 and use that. #1 and #2 planes seem more like novelty planes than anything. I have a plane made by Chelor from Massachusetts (former slave set free) that is tucked away.
The reason I would use it is that the "value" in terms of dolars wouldn't mean that much to me if it were a plane used by my family. If it were to survive thus far after being used by both my grandfather and my father, why would we assume that using it further would degrade it's value. I would care for it well and use it.
Unfortunately I knew little of either of my grandfathers (one died when I was three and the other cut off almost all contact with our family when I was around thirteen) and never got to work with either of them. Neither of them were woodworkers per se and their tool collectiopns were limited but I do use whatever tool I was able to aquire from their collections. I would be disappointed if my grandchildren (assuming they take up woodworking) placed my well cared for tools on a shelf, only to be admired.
Tom
Edited 1/14/2003 12:23:32 PM ET by Tom
I would say most tools that lasted a long time were owned by non-woodworkers. Personally with a such a valuable piece I would put it away to await further increases in value. I remember when one could buy a #1 for $600 about 15 years ago. Or if one is just looking for a good plane to use, sell it and buy a Lie Nielson, which would probably be a better plane and have a nice chunk of cash left over. Just my opinion!
USE IT!!!!
While I'm not sure of the practicality of it's actual use I applaude you for using the plane. Geez most of the value and certainly the pleasure will come from making shavings with it-actually using tool your dad did. Understand that if you damage it, it will loose value but if you have no intention of selling it what's the point. I'd maybe make a safe little box for it so your grand kids can enjoy it, but over all the Stanley planes from that era are quite rugged-except for the tote-which is highly suseptible to chipping. But fellow posters are right on the mark when they tell you it's valuable and will only grow in monetary value- and decline rapidly if damaged.
I for one appreciatte the collectability of antique wood workers tools. I love the "Sweetheart" era Stanley, and am snobby enough to pass on perfectly good others. But I use every piece I get! Reminds me of searching for a portable hand driven forge a few years ago-rather common to find beat ones but I found a pristine perfect condition one at an antique store. the owner would not part with it having decided to turn it into a flower pot!
The antique tool market has lost it's mind as of late. Bedrock planes start at $150. I saw a beat Bailey 7c with broken totes and rust for $225 the other day.
But that's another thread!
N
If that were my plane id keep it, and do whatever you want with that plane. Sure it might be rare, worth some money. But if it were my dad's plane id keep it. Its utter silly nonsense, in my opinion, that the value of the plane in dollars is worth more then the memory of my father in sentimental value. I have some tools that were my grandfathers. They may not be worth much to a collector, but they are worth something to me.
Only you can decide if the money for that plane once appraised is worth getting rid of.
But ill tell you this. I have old bedrocks, and some disston saws that i use. Sure its neat to see old tools, but its even better when you use tools. If you decide you want to use it. take the old totes off, and place them along with the blade in safe keeping. Im sure Mike aka planewood can make you some replacement totes and there are hock or LN blades you could get for their use.
I own 2 # 1s and a couple of #2's.....I use one of the 2's....never the 1's...Actually the #1 is'nt good for much anyway...kinda small to hold...kinda small to use, but they sure look great.
To ALL;
I am pleased to see that common sense has prevailed. Even "Tom" who was so insistent initially that the plane be used has decided it should be protected. I never meant to suggest that it be sold. I retain most all the tools passed down in my family, though many were more or less "used-up". If the owner is adept at using hand planes, he should lightly hone the blade and make a few test passes with it before setting it aside.
Others are right when they observe that unless you are really, really small, a No.1 is way too tiny to be of much practical use. I've seen them used to commercially produce bamboo fishing rods and knitting needles. Long ago (1950's), an old finish carpenter once showed up at a jobsite with a No.1 in his overalls back pocket, (the imprint was about worn through). He had arthritis in his hands soo bad that he couldn't grip a block plane to trim/fit mitre joints, but he could get a hold of that No.1, and he turned out very nice work. I'd never seen one before, even back then. I think they were always more of a novelty. Take care of it!
John in middle Tennessee (+2 degrees F this morning)
There may be a couple of 'Toms' in here. I don't think TOM changed his mind, it was Tom (Tom S from now on) that said not to use it. I don't think a #1 plane has much use in the shop but is prized by collectors. I think rare tools should be preserved and appreciated. If that plane gets bumped off the workbench and breaks the casting you've destroyed a valuable part of woodworking 'history'. As far as sentimental value...was it a tool that the grandfather used to make heirloom furniture, or did it just sit on Gramps' shelf to be admired? Save it to hand down to your heirs, but don't use it or damage it in any way.
Tom S.
Sorry to disappoint you but it was indeed another Tom who replied. I'm not saying I would use it day in and out but it would not be shelved for display only. Obviously the uses for such a tool are pretty limited but using a tool that was in the hands of my grandfather is a far more rare thing than a stanley no 1. Tom
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