Stanley Hand Planes

Stanley hand planes range from the smallest baby #1 to the giant jointer plane (#8). You’ll also find fractional sizes in-between.

This type of plane grew in popularity among woodworkers during the 1920s and 1930s. It is still in use today and a great tool for removing plane marks and shaping the edges of wood.

No. 4

A Stanley smooth plane was a useful tool for woodworkers. It was designed to smooth small areas, and it was also a good tool for those who were short on bench space.

These planes were made from ductile cast iron with a one-piece shoe and frog unit. They have a low angle to help smooth over rough wood and a thick steel blade to reduce chatter and tear out.

No. 5

The #5 is a standard smoothing plane, and the one that made Stanley rich. It can be used for everything from scrubbing to truing, and it’ll work on almost any wood you can throw at it.

It hasn’t changed much in its history. You can tell when the frog adjustment screw was changed because it has a different nut on it, and you can also spot the earliest ones by their old style frog (which doesn’t have the adjusting screw), and by the first hole in the lever cap which is symetrical and has the kidney-shaped design that came on later models.

No. 6

Stanley made several different models of bench plane during the 1880’s. They all had something in common: they were all a radical departure from Stanley’s standard product line of bench and block planes.

The #4 1/2 and #5 were the most pronounced departures. These planes were probably designed specifically for the English market, where Stanley felt they would be a winner.

No. 7

This Stanley number 7 jointer plane is a full 22″ (559mm) long with a 2 3/8″ (61mm) wide steel cutter. It comes fitted with a rosewood tote and knob, and a Made in USA cutting iron.

The sole of the body is machined and ground to ensure flatness and trueness. It also has a frog, lever cap, cap iron, cutter, lateral adjuster and rear wooden handle.

No. 8

Unlike the rest of Stanley’s hand planes, this plane has an unusual feature. It has a lateral lever on the frog.

This lever was designed to make the cutter less likely to loosen when the depth of cut was adjusted. This was patented by Stanley in 1902.

No. 9

Stanley’s plane line is a great choice for woodworkers seeking a quality bench plane at a fair price. There are many to choose from including the Bailey and Bedrock lines as well as some speciality models.

There are a few things to watch out for when shopping for one of these gems. First, be aware of the adjusting nuts.

No. 10

Stanley had a long history of designing and manufacturing metal-bodied hand planes. Their most famous is the Bailey series, but they also have a number of different designs that were used by other companies.

This jack rebate plane is known as the Carriage Maker’s Rabbet Plane and was originally listed in Stanley’s catalog as a #10. It features adjustable side nickers that make clean, cross-grain cuts.

No. 11

This is a pretty standard smoothing plane, the type that most people probably think of when they hear the word ‘smoothing’. It’s not a very exciting tool by any means, but it will out smooth any sanding, scraping or whatever you might want to do on most woods.

There is a brass depth adjustment nut located on the main casting. This nut engages a forked lever which moves the cutter forward or backward as the nut is turned.

No. 12

Stanley is a nostalgic brand of hand tools that began in the mid-1800’s. They aren’t exactly high-end tool makers but they do sell a few good bench planes.

One of these is the low angle bevel up Jack plane that’s similar to the traditional Bailey hand plane. It doesn’t have a movable frog, but an adjustable mouth opening mechanism instead.

No. 13

Stanley is a popular brand of hand planes and has a long history as a tool manufacturer. They have merged with Black & Decker in recent years.

They make several styles of smoothing planes but this one, the #3 Sweetheart, is a favorite among many collectors. It has a low angle bevel up design and a ductile cast iron base.