Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 20, 2023 08:01pm | #1

   Lie Nielsen makes blades for its number two that will fit. You can get blades on eBay for a 2. If you know which type your 2 is, you can get a blade with the proper stamp to match.

2. 
   _mj_ | Mar 20, 2023 08:04pm | #2

   Hock irons, recently sold to Lee Valley on Ron's retirement.

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 21, 2023 04:48am | #5

   I wasn't aware Hock was sold. Good to know. I don't think they make a # 2 though.

3. 
   curmudgeon | Mar 20, 2023 09:10pm | #3

   Thanks to both of you. I knew Ron Hock had sold, but I checked several months ago with him. Not enough demand. I’ll check on the LN blades. I glanced on eBay, I’ll take a deeper dive.

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 21, 2023 04:50am | #6

   The L-Nielsen is thicker than the original. It's possible you'll have to widen the mouth on an original Stanley.

4. 
   jharveyb | Mar 20, 2023 09:40pm | #4

   For Stanley parts, the best source is Michael Jenks on Facebook at Just Plane Fun - the parts division. He is very knowledgeable, and very honest. I have had really good interactions with him. You might find parts cheaper on eBay, but you will get the right ones at a fair price from him.

1. 
   mrchuck2000 | Mar 21, 2023 10:07pm | #9

   YES! Michael is a great choice. He’s sold me a few parts, and he’s also an honest, extremely good guy. You can find him on Facebook or his YouTube channel, both called “Just Plane Fun.” The YouTube vids are also an invaluable resource for typing and dating Stanley bench planes.

5. 
   joeleonetti | Mar 21, 2023 06:31pm | #7

   I will take a different approach. How about you buy some O1 steel from McMaster? It comes soft and you could with simple tools cut it to the width/length you need. Then, anneal it. Paul Sellers has done some of this and others have done this on YouTube. Probably cost you less than $20 and if it doesn't work, you aren't out a lot of money. Might even be fun to do.

6. 
   curmudgeon | Mar 21, 2023 07:20pm | #8

   Thanks again to all. John, especially for the heads up on the LN thickness… that explains their caution about using it in other brands. I’ll keep my eyes open on eBay. As for fabricating my own, well, I try to keep my metal work to a minimum (sharpening) unless absolutely necessary. Hence I’ll probably not even try the LN. I’m not comfortable with any serious fettling to a steel throat. So, great idea on fabbing my own, and probably fun for someone with a certain comfort level. Y’all have been very helpful.

1. 
   PhilR | Mar 28, 2023 01:33pm | #13

   I know this one has been solved, but don't be too daunted by having to widen the throat - I had to do it when I got a replacement from Veritas (even though they sell it as a replacement for Stanley and don't warn you that you'll have to widen the throat). Just get the widest mill file you can fit in the throat, and go slowly. The good thing about taking off less that 1 mil a minute is you can't make too big a mistake. Oh, and be something of a hoarder so you can practice on your third #4 first.

7. 
   bndsley | Mar 23, 2023 09:36pm | #10

   https://nhplaneparts.com/

8. 
   curmudgeon | Mar 24, 2023 10:34am | #11

   bndsley, Thank you. I'd forgotten about those folks. A great outfit. I ended up finding a nearly unused iron from Patrick Leech. I'm not sure why I didn't think of him and/or NH first. Probably just cobwebs in my brain.

9. 
   bndsley | Mar 27, 2023 09:07pm | #12

   The nice thing about Eric at The Vintage Tool Shoppe or NH Plane Parts is that you can always call him and he'll tell you what he has and seems to be a pretty straight shooter.