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Bailey 5 1/5

2K views 23 replies 9 participants last post by  WayneC 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
While I was in Frederick MD I was down town and went into an antique store and found a very old cabinet makers bench with a number of wood planes sitting on top. there were molding planes block planes and one Stanley "Bailey #5 1/2" which I was able to get for $25.00. If I had my truck I would have bought the bench which had a price tag of $1400.00 and I am sure I could have got them down to around $950.00. It had two vices with wood screws and a sliding part on the side for dowels that support long boards. The top was about around 5" thick and had to weigh around 300+ pounds. It looked to date back to the 20s or 30s and was in remarkable condition. So here is the plane I was able to get.
Smoothing plane Plane Scrub plane Block plane Jack plane


Automotive exterior Bumper Gas Auto part Metal


Smoothing plane Plane Scrub plane Block plane Jack plane
 

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#9 ·
Put it on your table saw or jointer (assuming you have one) and see if it rocks. Might already be flat…

Agree on your valuation of the plane. You might also try it in a shooting board. The mass of a 5 1/2 is pretty nice.
 
#11 ·
CharlieM1958
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 It is original condition, the photos do not do it justice its as good as new I am happy with this one. The last one I paid 25 for 2 #3s and they are only good for some of the parts so this more than makes up for the last time.<br />WayneC
I had not thought of that I'll try it but my guess is as good a condition as its in, it was well taken care of and used the way it should.
Its really pretty sharp as it sits.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
I placed a piece of very fine emery paper on a granite surface and ran the plane over it a number of times and see a very slight con-cave area a few thousands of an inch and was wondering if I should keep going until it is gone?

WayneC I did what you suggested and it does not rock at all. It is a bit scratched from normal use so I did as described above I also checked the bottom to the sides with a machinists square and its as close as I think it can be no light showing.

sprevratil I think it was on Market St. I have asked my daughter to check on the name.
 
#16 ·
Where is the concave area? The plane would ride on heal and toe, and area around the mouth. Also, a shaving would be a few thou in thickness depending on what type of work you were doing.
 
#20 ·
I would think if it is only a thousandth deep, then it is the width of a real fine shaving and would not be an issue with your finished product.

On the other hand if it bugging you, I do not see any issues with lapping it out. It should not take you too long.
 
#22 ·
I have a float glass lapping plate, some plastic sheets and carbide grit that I got from Lee Valley a long time ago. People will use sandpaper on a flat surface such as granate, bed of a Jointer, or tablesaw wing. When you lap, you want to have the frog and blade installed and the plane under tension. Obviously the blade would be retracted. You can use a sharpie or other marker to see your progress if you like.
 
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