Hand planes, Stanley planes, infill planes & planemaking

DID YOU KNOW…

Making planes can be a difficult task, but the most difficult part is actually finding good information on planemaking and how to go about it. Handplane Central simplifies the process somewhat by providing a wealth of information and various tips and tricks on making planes, as well as the tools and materials necessary for planemaking (and how to make the plane making tools themselves in some instances).

Stanley No. 1 Smooth Plane

Manufactured:	1869 to 1943
Length:	5-1/2 inches
Blade Width:	1-1/4 inches
Construction:	Cast iron, rosewood handle & knob
Finish:	Japanned
Features:	Extra small
Uses:	General purpose bench plane
Average Dealer Price:	$1000 to $1600
Average eBay Price:	$1200 to $1800
Type 1:	$1600 to $2800
Type 2:	$1400 to $2000
Type 3 to 12:	$1200 to $1800
Counterfeit version:	$150 to $300

Other Notes:

These planes are not marked with a number cast into the bed and had no lateral adjustment lever. The trademark is stamped on the blade only. Sweetheart versions (1920-1935) often reach higher prices, but not always.

The counterfeit planes have a much rougher body, frog and lever cap casting, as well as badly shaped handles. The rear screw for the blade adjustment tilts upward rather that straight back. The blade is often stamped on both sides

Updated:

30th March, 2006

Stanley No. 1 Smooth Planes on eBay right now…

Sources:

While many of the dealers prices for Stanley planes are largely set by John Walters’ book “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” it appears that eBay, while acknowledging the Walters guide somewhat, tends to march to it’s own beat and sets its own prices. For that reason – and the fact that eBay’s reach and customer base is huge – I’ve decided to include a separate eBay average price here. Other sources include: “The Antique Tool Collector’s Guide To Value” by Ronald S. Barlow, “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” by John Walter, “The Stanley Plane” by Alvin Sellens, “Patrick’s Blood & Gore” by Patrick Leach, various auctions and sales of collectable tools and my own compilations of prices realized, observations and notes over the past 20+ years.