Due to my uncle passing I was given some of his hand tools. I am attempting to date these hand planes and I plan on restoring them. What I believe I have is a Stanley No. 4 Type 15 Sweetheart (1931-1932) and a Stanley No. 5 Type 14 (1929-1930) Here are some pictures
No 4 SW
Before
After Restoration
No 5
This is what is throwing me off a little bit on the number 5. The iron has a patent date on it reading L. Baileys Patent Dec. 24 1867. From what I have found this was changed in very early years. but other things on the plane seem to point towards it being a much later type. I guess it's possible that this was replaced I guess.
Also of anyone has any tips for restoring these it would be most appreciated. I have never dove into anything like this but I really don't want to ruin something like this that has alot of sentimental value to me.
Stanley is famous for using up old parts and not abiding by the type studies. The iron on the #4 is older than the plane as well; it's a much earlier SW logo than the T14/15 would indicate.
That said, same applies to the chipbreaker on your jack plane. And it's quite likely they're both original to your uncle's planes.
For refurb advise, check out Don W's blogs here on LJs and his website, timetestedtools for detailed processes and pics. There may not be a better resource, I think.
in my opinion, You've got the types correct. The irons and chip breaker are to easy to change. The chip breaker is definitely older then either of the planes.
Thanks for the links Don. I am in the process of working on the No. 4 now. I will post some results once I get it finished. I don't think I am going to get too carried away with it as most of the japanning on the No. 4 is in good shape. Also I am doing it "The hard way" as you put it on your site!! This is my first time restoring one so I don't alot of the stuff you use. How do you usually go about the tote handle? It is pretty beat up. Just using some sandpaper and some elbow grease?
Don, Have you ever attempted to refinish the nickel platting on the cap? I would be a little hesitant to paint that silver to give it the original look. I would think it would chip off pretty easy.
Looks like a fun time and you will have a couple good users when you are done.
For a lever cap with the plating coming off, I just strip the rest of the plating with a wire brush and then polish up the base metal. There's just no good way to match nickel plating, short of getting someone to replate it.
Thanks guys! Hopefully I don't mess them up. I actually tested them out before I did anything to them and they worked just fine. The No.4 was a little fussy but it still worked. For as bad as they look my uncle did not have any power tools besides some sanders and a routing table that he only used for decorative edges. The only bit I even seen for it was a roman ogee bit. He did all of his jointing and planning with these 2 hand planes…and he did some really nice furniture with it. Mostly out of cedar which is pretty soft but still.
Yeah I figured a good sharpening and they would work fine. I know myself though and if I would have just sharpened them and starting using them that I would never get to the restoring them part. Kind of how they say never drive a car you are restoring..once it gets to the point you can drive it you will never get the restore finished!
I think the #4 is newer than a Type 15 based on the frog. According to Rexmill.com, Stanley was still using the "flat face" frogs in the 15's. That said, it will probably still be a great user.
Is there any big difference (functionally) between the different "types" of Bailey planes?
Does it really matter if one is a type 14 or whatever?
I've been reading all this hoopla about old Stanley planes so I went and "won" me a couple of #5 on ebay. (I've always thought it strange that when you win an auction, you have to pay. Doesn't sound much like winning to me.) Anyway, for $27.50 (including shipping), I'm supposed ot receive 1 pretty good #5 and one pretty broken (but functional) #5. (Right cheek of casting is broken off.) BOBO, the listing said.
We'll see when they get here.
When bidding, I ignored the beater and just looked at the "good" plane.
So, I imagine I'll soon be asking questions after I see the things.
But for now, I wait. Meanwhile I have the Buck Bros.
I wouldn't say there is a big difference in the types. Some like the type 12 or newer because of the larger adjuster, some like the type 10 or newer because of the frog adjustment screw, some like the type 10 or 11 because its got the frog adjustment screw and the smaller adjuster. Some like the type 4 and under because they are more collectable. Some say anything over type 16 are not as good quality.
In my opinion, anything after type 5, (type 5 added the lat adjuster) they are functionally equal up to type 19.
For a user, there isn't much difference in the ability of the plane up to a certain point when manufacturing really went downhill. As I use planes more, though, I have come to appreciate having my main users be a bit more consistent with the controls. I mainly have planes with a low front knob and small adjusters, so have been replacing a few tall knobs/large adjuster planes with ones more similar to the rest. Not saying that they are easier or better to use, just that they are what I am comfortable with because of how much I use that type.
No different than driving a car. My personal vehicle is a Ford, so driving the company Ford isn't much of an adjustment and I know right where all the controls are, even though it is a different model. When I have to drive the company Honda, it takes a while to adjust to the different layout.
I have a Ford and a Honda. The windshield wiper controls are exactly opposite. So I know what you mean.
So far, I've got 3 #5's coming and am looking at a #6, type 9. Should I skip that and look for a type 10 or later? Does the lack of frog adjustment make them seriously less usable?
I've only got a 6 inch (power) jointer and a 20" (power) planer, so I'm think it would be nice to be able to hand-joint a wide board once in awhile.
I appologize for making a side-discussion on this thread.
No worries about the side discussion. This whole site is supposed to be about sharing and learning. I am new to hand tools myself so I am learning with you!
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