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Small Stanley block plane SW 103 Anyone use this?

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6.8K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  donwilwol  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
My new addiction for hand planes continues as I just picked up another plane for my collection. I only paid a dollar so I figured I couldn't go wrong.

This is a small Stanley Block plane marked 103. The plane has Stanley and a SW heart logo on the iron. I looked it up on a website called Patrick's Blood and Gore which is a great site for Stanley plane info. On the site he says the quality of the plane is pretty much junk but it holds a good collectors value.

Does anyone else have this plane or have used it? I was wondering if it really did have any collector value. I am thinking of restoring it for fun and seeing how it works..
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I think i have the same exact plane, which at one point in time may have been my great grandfathers. But i think mine was manufactured by the Ohio tool company … ill take a look tonight when i get in. I havent touched it yet but may clean it up just for nostalgia's sake. I dont think it would ever be much of a user but cool to have and look at.

Just wait for the summer to come back around and youll be doing what i have … reading the saturday morning paper looking for tag sales with tools. I made it a Saturday morning tradition.
 
#3 ·
Sure its not one of Stanley's better models because it has no adjustable mouth, so it is not as versatile, but it can still be a handy block plane for chamfering or anything else. It is very similar to what is commonly called an "apron plane" because you keep it in the pocket of your shop apron and use it more than many other planes. You can't go wrong for a buck. ;)
 
#4 ·
If it is sharp you will find a use for it.
Bring it back to condition and try it out.
Worst case scenario, you will have a nice paperweight. :)

Jamie
 
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#6 ·
Thanks for the input on the plane. Its quite a bit smaller then my other two block planes so I am sure I will find good use for it in real tight areas. I will restore it and post pictures and such when I get it done.

Div - I guess 5 dollars would be a big profit when compared to what I paid for it but I will have to pass. I am too new to collecting hand planes to start selling them now :)
 
A
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have one of these and it is my favorite. It fits nicely in my hand and works very well. I got it from my grandfather about 40 years ago. Just lately I tried to find out the make and model so I could get a replacement iron (mine is a knock-off replacement iron that does not have the proper grooves in the bottom to engage with the levered iron positioner). After a lot of looking, I finally realized that someone (probably my grandfather) had modified the sole, removing about 3/4" from the heel (and with that the model number went too). I am of course missing the knob as well (but that just makes it fit my hand better…).
Here's a picture of what the bottom of the iron should look like:

Image


If anyone knows where I could find one of these, I'd appreciate it. Mine is 1-5/16 wide by about 3-1/2" long. I understand the original may be wider (like 1-3/8), but this is a good width to allow some angular positioning.
 

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#10 ·
Nice to see comments on the 103. i have a sw canadian and a USA sw also. Ihave kept them handy for little job s
I had the blades fairly sharp but really went to town on the recently and lapped the blades and today I lapped the bottom of one kinda skipped lunch as it took the whole day through a series of water paper on glass then powder silicon and water a whew ! but the thing is flat now blade lapped.Last couple months all I been doing is restoring planes. Now this 103 is soaking in some lacquer thinner as it is going to get new paint Rust olemun a primer and finish and though it is going to get re-finish in pink. I will get some picture s.
 
#12 ·
These small planes are also known as apron planes, because they fit nicely in your apron pocket. Both LN and Veritas make a version. I like the vintage Sargent version the best, but for a buck you dud well.
 
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