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Answer the questions to identify a Stanley Bench Plane.

Number of Patent Dates on Bed?

Zero Patent Dates on Bed

Is there a raised ring under the knob?

No Patent Date on Bed and Raised Ring

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring

Is the Model cast into the bed? e.g. No. 5

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and No Model Cast On Bed

Does the lever cap have a recessed back?

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and No Model Cast On Bed and No Recessed Lever Cap

Depth Adjustment nut stamped 'Bailey's Patent'?

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and No Model Cast on Bed and Recessed Lever Cap

Arched rear of frog receiver?

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and Model Cast on Bed.

How Many Patent Dates on Lateral Adjustment Lever?

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and Model Cast on Bed and No Patent Dates on Lateral Adjustment Lever

Stanley stamped into the lateral adjustment Lever?

No Patent Date on Bed and No Raised Ring and Model Cast on Bed and No Patent Dates on Lateral Adjustment Lever

Depth Adjustment nut stamped 'Bailey's Patent'?

One Patent Date on Bed

Is there a raised ring under the knob?

Two Patent Dates on Bed

Is the frog rib large and arched?

Three Patent Dates on Bed

What size depth adjustment knob is there?

Planes and Scrapers

Stanley No. 1 Smoothing Plane

Next No. 2

Stanley No. 2 Smoothing Plane

Previous No. 1 - Next No. 3

Stanley No. 3 Smoothing Plane

Previous No. 2 - Next No. 4

Stanley No. 4 Smoothing Plane

Previous No. 3 - Next No. 4 1/2

Stanley No. 4 1/2 Smoothing Plane

Previous No. 4 - Next No. 5

Stanley No. 5 Jack Plane

Previous No. 4 1/2 - Next No. 5 1/4

Stanley No. 5 1/4 Jack Plane

Previous No. 5 - Next No. 5 1/2

Stanley No. 5 1/2 Jack Plane

Previous No. 5 1/4 - Next No. 6

Stanley No. 6 Fore Plane

Previous No. 5 1/2 - Next No. 7

Stanley No. 7 Jointer Plane

Previous No. 6 - Next No. 8

Stanley No. 8 Jointer Plane

Previous No. 7 - Next No. 9

Stanley No. 9 Block Plane

Stanley Bench Plane Types or Series

Type 1 - 1867? - 1869

Next (Type 2)

Type 2 - 1869 - 1872

Previous (Type 1) - Next (Type 3)

Type 3 - 1872 - 1873

Previous (Type 2) - Next (Type 4)

Type 4 - 1874 - 1884

Previous (Type 3) - Next (Type 5)

Type 5 - 1885 - 1888

Previous (Type 4) - Next (Type 6)

Type 6 - 1888 - 1892

Previous (Type 5) - Next (Type 7)

Type 7 - 1893 - 1899

Previous (Type 6) - Next (Type 8)

Type 8 - 1899 - 1902

Previous (Type 7) - Next (Type 9)

Type 9 - 1902 - 1907

Previous (Type 8) - Next (Type 10)

Type 10 - 1907 - 1909

Previous (Type 9) - Next (Type 11)

Type 11 - 1910 - 1918

Previous (Type 10) - Next (Type 12)

Type 12 - 1919 - 1924

Previous (Type 11) - Next (Type 13)

Type 13 - 1925 - 1928

Previous (Type 12) - Next (Type 14)

Type 14 - 1929 - 1930

Previous (Type 13) - Next (Type 15)

Type 15 - 1931 - 1932

Previous (Type 14) - Next (Type 16)

Type 16 - 1933 - 1941

Previous (Type 15) - Next (Type 17)

Type 17 - 1942 - 1945

Previous (Type 16) - Next (Type 18)

Type 18 - 1946 - 1947

Previous (Type 17) - Next (Type 19)

Type 19 - 1948 - 1961

Previous (Type 18) - Next (Type 20)

Type 20 - 1962 - 1967

Previous (Type 19) - Next (Type 21)

Type 21 - 1968 - 19??

Previous (Type 20)

Patents used for Stanley planes can offer more information.

US Patents are minimum of 7 digits so add a zero in front for old patent numbers.

Interesting related patents noticed while searching:

Legacy Competitors TODO

There are competitors to Stanley Planes even today.

Record

Prior to around 1970 Record and Stanley planes are the same thing. Made under license or contract.

Victor

Leonard Bailey designed planes for Victor after Stanley bought his patents.

Sargent

Research needed.

Millers Falls

Research needed.

Veritas

Maker of high end tools including bench planes. Bench planes range from No. 3 to No. 6

Website

Lie-Nielsen

Maker of high end tools including bench planes. From small to the full No. 8 Jointer plane.

Website

Hock Tools

A maker of high quality blades in the past. The business appears to have been sold.

Buck Brothers(Bros.)

Historically a maker of woodworking tools, the name has been used by various owners in recent history. Some research is needed here.

Jorgensen

Versions of No. 4, No. 5 and some block planes.

Website

Spear and Jackson

Screw style cap and many other identical options under different names.

Groz

TODO

Amazon Basics

Yes there are Amazon Basics planes. I should compare and see who makes them.

Taytools

I noticed they have a router plane so I added them to the list.

Definitions

Chip-Breaker
A part affixed to the blade that causes the shavings to curl.
Frog
The support for the iron or blade. The frog holds the angle and optionally advances or retracts the cutting edge.
Gage
A design series where the blade is advanced securly with special toothed/slotted blades.
Frogs can be cast into the base in Gage series planes.
Handle
The rear handle of the plane. Stanely documentation and parts sales always calls it the handle.
In Mechanic Exercises Joseph Moxon describes on page 61 a horizontal handle as a tote from Plate 4.
Iron Cap
See Chip-Breaker
Sweetheart
A heart logo used from 1919 with SW for Stanley Works. In 1919 Stanley Rule and Level and Stanley Works merged.
The Sweetheart line could be in honor of William H. Hart the champion of the company.
Tote
See Handle

Additional Letter designations

A (Prefix)
Aluminum
C (Subscript)
Corrugated
G (Prefix)
Gage
H (Prefix)
Handyman
M
Malleable
P (Subscript)
Plane (Used when duplicate models existed in catalog)
S (Prefix)
Steel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Plane says Bailey not Stanley, is this a Stanley plane?
Yes, Bailey is a reference to the style and creator of the design.
Stanley name was added to the lateral adjustment lever and later the cap.
It is strange that Stanley was never added to the base or bed casting.
The threads on some of the plane parts are strange, how do I repair them?
Some threads are Whitworth-style with a slightly different size and degree of thread.
Most USA made Stanley Planes have 12-20 Whitworth-style threading for the tote and knob screws.
Planes made in England or other countries after the 1940s may have UNC threading.
Buy a thread checking gauge to be sure. Be aware that a century of use can cause wear on threads.
Look for British Standard Whitworth (BSW) or Whitworth Tap and Dies.
British Standard Whitworth Wikipedia page.
For better or worse, Whitworth was the first "Standardized" thread adopted by industries.
Attempting to identify a plane and nothing matches up, what is wrong?
It is possible that parts have been swapped or replaced over the past century.
A plane dropped on a solid floor may break the bed. Plane parts would be reused.
What wood is the tote and knob handles made of?
It can vary but Rosewood is the most common. From Brazil or India.
Rosewood was/is over-harvested and difficult to get these days.
Cocobola used starting in in 1929. Random hardwoods used in 1948 and later.
What Types(series) of Stanley plane is the most useful for woodworking?
Books mention that type 12 and up are most useful.
Anything with the lateral adjustment lever will work well.
Even basic planes from any maker can be useful for tasks chamfering boards.
What is Japanning on a Stanley plane?
Japanning is a method of finishing where a finish is also heated to cure for a durable finish.
Modern paints can mimic the finish. Collectors want original Japanning.
Japanning Wikipedia Page
Where can I find new blades for my plane?
Stanley irons/blades can be found. Often as new old stock.
Hock is a modern brand for plane irons.
Remember to search for irons, steels, and blades.
I have bought damaged or incomplete planes just for the quality irons in them.
Wood body planes and transitional planes can be found with quality original irons.
Why are there corrugated bottom planes?
There are situations where the corrugated bottom offered less resistance on the wood.
Depends on the wood and the task.
Is a Jack plane a scrub plane?
It can be. Scrub planes are about the shape of the iron/blade.
Typically sharpened with a radius/curve to remove more wood in the center.
Stanley did make and market specific scrub planes like the 40 and 40-1/2
Why are hand planes still in use today?
Control and finish quality. A good sharp plane or scraper does not require sanding.
Quiet and safety are also great reasons. No hearing protection needed.
How do people find great deals on planes at antique or flea markets?
Look often and look everywhere. I bought a rusty but perfect No. 3 for 4 dollars in a booth full of fabric.
After the death of some carpenters the spouse would gather up a tool or two and decorate the house with it. Look everywhere.
Any information about other plane makers?
Slowly documenting competitors but this will take some time.
Defiance Tools was a brand produced by Stanely.

Buy stickers or posters of this diagram.

Do you need or want more information about Stanley hand planes? You are in the right place.

Resources and Credits: