My wife’s cousin found this old plane for $2.50 at a sidewalk sale in San Francisco – like a garage sale, only there’s no garage! I looked on the web and I think it looks like a Stanley #1. It is missing the lever cap and has some mostly surficial rust.
My questions: What is this? There’s no writing on it other than someone’s name scratched into the handle. Is it worth trying to clean up and use? The iron looks like I can sharpen it in spite of surface rust. And, most important, where can I get a lever cap for it? (Cheaply).
I’m not any kind of a plane collector other than to use them to make thin wood shavings.
Replies
Take a look here. http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan1.htm#num1
This site has pix and info on many or perhpas all of the old Stanley tools. A No. 1 is a bit rare, as I recall reading. A small smoother is great for smoothing smaller pieces. I have a No. 2 which gets lots of use.
Telmiketoo, I can't tell what it is from the picture that you have, but if it is a Stanley #1 it should be marked, look at the link that s4s sent and see it you can identifiy it. As s4s said the #1 is rare. When you can find them I seen a #1 sell for $1,200. If you can find it, replacing the lever cap would be well worth it. Look at the link below or other web sites to find a replacement. It might take a while to find but would be worth it.
Even in the shape that it is in, just for parts it is worth several hundred dollars. Good luck and a great find...
http://www.antique-used-tools.com/comparts.htm
The bead on the front knob appears to be from Stanley's early production. You'll find that original lever caps for these, while available, are pretty valuable. I've seen several for sale over the years. Can you read the logo on the iron? If so, you'll have an even better idea of when it was made. There are fakes out there but your photo doesn't look like one. Your wife has a good eye, keep her.
Most antique dealers who sell parts charge a lot for them. I'll bet a Lie-Nielsen #1 lever cap could be used on your plane but Thomas Lie-Nielsen could tell you for sure.
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