I recently acquired several planes in a cardboard box. Inside, I found a Stanley 45 in a black wooden box along with another wooden box of various cutters, a Stanley #78 that has rust (not pitted) on the machined edges. The Japanning appears to be in fairly good shape. There’s also a Sargent #7 Jointer plane and a Stanley/Bailey #5.
Except for the 45, I know what I’ll be doing in the cold winter months ahead. We’re talking much fetteling here! Not sure if I spelled that right?
I’m curious about the #45 as it has a stamped marking on the main body of the plane that says,” Stanley Rule & Level Co. Pat. 11.84″. It is nickel plated with a floral design, the rosewood knob is on the main body of the plane and the arms thread into the main stock. The fence has a rosewood strip also.
According to Patrick’s Blood & Gore WEB page, the cutter adjustment screw just ahead of the handle was added in ca. 1895 and the rosewood knob was moved to the fence.
I’m trying to date this plane but because the knob on mine is on the main body of the plane, and it also has the cutter adjustment screw. Is it possible that Stanley made another refinement in between 1890 and 1895?
I’m confused, can anyone help?
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git ‘r Done!
Replies
David Heckel recently published (2002) a type study book on the Stanley 45, in which he lists 21 different types. It's very well done.
Anyway, the depth screw adjustor appears in 1893. It's a confusing period in the type study. Between 1893 and 1895, there are actually 3 types. Type 5, 6, 7A, 7B.
The "Stanley Rule and Level Co." on the skate makes it a type 10, 11, or 12. If it's just plane type "Stanley", then it's a type 10 (1909), if it has a fancy font "Stanley" in a box, then it's a type 11 (1910-1914) or type 12 (1915-1920).
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the info. Perhaps I wasn't exactly clear on the basis of my confusion, for which I apologize.
My 45 has the embossed floral design and is nickel plated with the adjustment screw, and the rods screw into the main "skate". Also, the rosewood knob is on the main "skate" or body, and the main body measures 10 1/2" long, from the front tip of the skate to the very end of the tote. Again, according to Patricks page, starting in 1897 the plane went from 10 1/2" to 11 1/2". Also, starting in ca. 1900, the rods slide through the main body.
What's confusing me is that, according to Patricks Blood & Gore page, "Starting ca. 1895, the cutter adjustment screw was added just forward of the handle casting (which mine has), a strip of rosewood was added to the inside edge of the iron fence (which mine has), and the rosewood knob was moved from the main stock to the fence. Mine has the nickel plated floral design, the rosewood strip on the fence, but the knob is still on the main stock!
??????
BobBob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Stanley 45
Hi Bob, I don't know if you had resolved this issue but I ran across your post and thought I might have an answer for you. I was reading :
The Superior Works: Patrick's Blood and Gore Planes #46 - #54
(I hope that gives Mr. Leech an appropriate plug)
Have you considered that your plane may be a #46? Just a thought.
Shaun
Hi Dave,
Just had another thought about this. I wonder if I might have a "mongrel" consisting of parts from two different planes?
I definitely need o check this out!
BobBob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Hi Dave,
I just had another thought on this. Is it possible that I have a mongrel here, i.e. parts from two different planes? I have pics of the plane, but they are of rather high resolution and are quite LARGE.
Thank you,
Bob
P.S. I really appreciate your help, and will check out David Heckel's info.
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Here is a pic of the 45.Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Bob, as I have a bunch of these my first thought is that you have a hybrid. It still should be a good user. Pat
Hi Pat,
Can you explain your thoughts regarding why you think it's a hybrid. That did cross my mind as well, but I'm not that experienced with these planes.
Because it has both the knob on the mainstock and the rosewood on the fence, plus the adjustment knob doesn't make sense to me. From what I understand, when the adjustment screw was added, the knob was moved to the fence, right?
I'm wondering if there was another incarnation between 1890 and 1895 that isn't documented on Patricks page????? Also, do you know of another source of info. on the 45. David Hechel was recommended but there doesn't appear to be anything accessible on the WEB. I'm looking further.
Thanks for your help,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Bob, it's a first impression if the search data says that the body, defined by attachments -designs in the casting-knob on the front end of the main body that is threaded directly on the casting threads(not drilled through with bolt and top nut)- requires an all metal fence and no rosewood. Patrick's data is usually spot on but David's book is detailed almost to the color of each screw for every type.
I think that David's sellers name on Ebay is STN45 and he was offering them there for some time, It is a priceless document, very impressive, that must have taken years to publish. Search Ebay for variants of stanley 45, 45 book etc.
I am sorry not to be of more help but my book and all my combo planes are at the new digs in crates in East Tn. and I don't have a pc there yet.
Afew things you can check. 1- see if the distance between your screwed in rods is the same as the through rods on a 45 or 55 (similar fence). If it is then a later fence could be used. The fence was very prone to breakage if dropped, usually at the vertical connections of fence body to rods,
2- Check if your metal fence rosewood is flat on both faces, the 55 is shaped on the non working side to conform to the angular mounting as it can pivot to champher or cut a angle.
Let me know how ya make out. I will "try" to rout them out on my next trip late this month. Pat
Dating a Stanley 45? Whats next? Coffee with Swiss gouge? What will your wife think?
Trying to date one.... flowers, candy, sweet notes,,,, maybe this will help.
& AB
I don't care who you are, that's funny! :) :) Glad I'm not trying to date a pigsticker! Yea I know, got one of them too.
Thanks Guys,
P.S. I think FWW should use some of the humor in these forums. One big reason why I partake.Bob @ Kidderville Acres
Kidderville, NH
Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!
Want to date a Stanley ? There's a personals dating service for guys like you. It's from Poland. Save travelling time, just learn how to polka. A one, a two.... How about a Myron? Steinmetz.
bob. I gave ya bum dope, David's ebay sellers name is "stnly45 and he has a copy currently discounted on ebay for $10.95 and the auction goes off on 11/14 at 10:08 pst.
good luck, Pat
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