Replies

1. 
   Handrubbed | Jan 09, 2006 08:26pm | #1

   I would recommend that you look for a Lie-Nielsen new or used, rather than a vintage plane.  A good vintage plane will not be cheap either.  Wood craft often has L-N block planes on sale for around $120-130.  Sold my Stanleys when I experienced the difference.  Lee Valley planes probably do a good job too, but lack the classic look and feel of the L-Ns.  Don't mean to sound like an advertisement, but I feel I wasted money buying Stanleys, Hock irons, and a lot of elbow grease trying to get the soles flat, and still had a second class result.

2. 
   Bepperb | Jan 11, 2006 10:29pm | #2

   There is a difference and I would stay with an older model.  The most obvious difference is the width of the slot plane blade.  The models you want have a 7/16 slot, the newer ones have a 5/8 slot.  This information is hard to find on ebay.  Instead, look for made in USA on the back of the adjusting screw (not just on the blade) or a flowery pattern.

   You might try for one with an SW in a Heart on the blade.  This would indicate it was made in the usa in the late 20's/early 30's, and would make the plane more collectable.  Still, you could get one for under 50 bucks if you can find one.

   To be honest, I'd just look for something that looked old but in good condition.

   There will be no shortage of people telling you to go buy a lie nielson plane on this forum, but once you get locked into this thing the tendancy is to take it as far as you can, and when you have twenty or thirty planes the cost starts to add up.

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 12, 2006 02:40am | #3

   FWIW, I have a Craftsman block plane that was my dad's, and I sharpened it, then honed it to 600 grit. It's not as sharp as it will be, but when I was fitting the stiles and rails for my kitchen cabinet doors this afternoon, I needed to shorten some of the tenons. I made a shooting board and it really wasn't bad shaving them, especially considering the fact that it was a cheap plane in the first place. Probably made by Stanley to Sears' spec, but it has an adjustible mouth. This one has the blade adjuster under the cap, slightly off horizontal and it's really sloppy. Given the choice, I would go with the adjuster that has the knob at the rear with the screw parallel to the iron. The one I have is a PITA to adjust. There are quite a few on ebay now and some are in great shape.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

3. 
   hammer1 | Jan 12, 2006 06:56am | #4

   I have some older Stanley and others as well as a newer Stanley. I like the new one better. It has more heft, a more rounded front nose, smoother mouth adjustment and best of all, a lateral adjuster that's easy to use. The back of the blade will take some work and if you feel the need to lap the sole, it's a small one. For around $40 it's a pretty nice plane.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   cowtown | Jan 12, 2006 10:14am | #5

   60 1/2's are notorious for cracking just under the blade -right at the corners-due to the downward pressure methinks.. Go to Eb*y and look  for a Record 60 1/2 which has (last time I measured) about twice as much metal supporting the blade as the stanley does.

   Besides, most state-side tool afficianados is so focused on Stanley USA that they generally don't pay attention to the Record low angle.

    

   Eric

    

    

1. 
   CptanPanic | Jan 12, 2006 06:02pm | #6

   I just purchased a Stanley 60 1/2 and 5 on ebay, so thanks for the info.

5. 
   papanick | Jan 13, 2006 06:53pm | #7

   I actually had great results with a newer "Contractor Grade" Stanley 60-1/2. The one that still made in England.

   Cost about 65CDN, then bought a Hock blade for about 35CDn. Spent numerous hours tunihg it- refiling the throat; lapping the bottom, epoxying the bed for a little more support, etc. Worked great.

   Sold it in a heartbeat to a newer guy starting out, after I'd bought both the Veritas apron plane, adjustable mouth block plane, and lie-nielsen #102 block planes. All of which worked better out of the box, at about the same as what I paid/invested in time on the Stanley.BTW-  I'm selling both vertitas planes to pay for a Lie Nielsen 60-1/2.

   The lesson? If you have a Stanley already, you can get it humming if you really want. The new Lie Nielsens and Veritas are better for finer work, and require less time, and really only a little more money. The Stanley belongs in a finish carpenters pouch on site.

   The older I get, the better I was....

   
   

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   Edited 1/13/2006 10:54 am ET by papanick

6. 
   markfrancis | Dec 12, 2020 10:20am | #8

   I have owned an old Stanley 60 1/2 for 36 years. This plane has performed to perfection. I would buy an old one over a new one every time.

   "If it won't fit, force it. If it breaks it needed fixing anyway."

7. 
   _mj_ | Dec 12, 2020 11:19am | #9

   His is old by now also. The OP is from 2006