I bought this Stanley plane back in about 1975. Unfortunately I brought it home, tried it a couple of times and found that it did nothing but gouge up the wood. I have since learned that I should have brought it home and sharpened it BEFORE I tried to use it. Well, you might have guessed – but after sitting in my shed for the past 32 years, it needs a little help.
I have been following Wayne’s blogs on the hand planes and I blame this newest addiction :-)) on him. I just set up my Work Sharp and went to work on my Mystery Plane. I started with the Sole (bottom of the plane?) which was covered in rust. I worked it on the heaviest grit that comes with the Work Sharp 3000 and got most of the rust off. I decided that I should switch off to a piece of 80 grit Norton x3 sandpaper located on my table saw top. I worked it down, took about an hour, until I got this
I then took a break and started on the rusty iron. I have it pretty well flattened and shiny – but have not sharpened it yet. I’m not sure of the correct bevel – I think it 20 deg., but am hoping that someone can tell what I have here and possibly the correct bevel.
The only markings on the plane are on the side – G12-220.
Here are a couple more pictures – does anyone know what I have? I think that it is a Stanley Block low angle Plane. Also, if anyone can identify it – what is it best suited for planing?
I guess I really need to know the correct bevel before I try to sharpen it, so any help or tips will be greatly appreciated.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
6 comments so far
WayneC
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5689 posts in 546 days
posted 329 days ago
It is a standard angle block plane. A modern version of the Stanley 220 I belive. Standard angle planes have the blade bedded at 20 degrees and low angle at 12 degrees.
Traditionally these blades are ground at 25 degrees. You can add a secondary bevel at 30 degrees if you like (micro bevel). Some good info on sharpening can be found at http://www.hocktools.com/sharpen.htm
You can use this plane for chamfering edges and plaining flat parts of your work piece. I would recommend a low-angle block plane for end grain.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
cajunpen
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5352 posts in 515 days
posted 329 days ago
Thanks Wayne. I now know the correct belel to put on it. Do you have a particular low angle block plane in mind for the end grain? I’ve been looking at ebay, but just don’t have a clue as to what is the appropriate price OR even which plane I should begin to bid on. I do know that most of them do a number on you for shipping. Thanks for your help.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
WayneC
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5689 posts in 546 days
posted 329 days ago
Try to get one with an adjustable mouth if you can. I would look for a 60 1/2 or a 65 if you can find one. It would be a good deal if you can get one in the $20-25 range for one in good usable shape.
Stanley 60 1/2
http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/stanley-60-1-2_Tools-Hardware-Locks_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ13849QQsatitleZstanleyQ2060Q201Q2f2
Stanley 65
http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/stanley-65_Planes_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQcatrefZC12QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfromZR10QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ13874
You could also look at Lie-Nielson or Veritas low-angle planes if your wanting to spend a bit more
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=102
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1216
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=41189&cat=1,41182
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
cajunpen
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5352 posts in 515 days
posted 329 days ago
Thanks Wayne – I guess I’m hooked now, so I’ll watch ebay for awhile, then decide between the Lie-Nielsen and the Veritas.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
WayneC
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5689 posts in 546 days
posted 329 days ago
Your welcome. Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Thos. Angle
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3244 posts in 411 days
posted 329 days ago
Good luck, Bill. Once you get that one tuned and start to make shavings you’ll really be hooked.And when you see what can be done with these tools you’ll wonder how you ever got along with out them.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon