DID YOU KNOW…

Restoration can sometimes be quite tricky for the beginner woodworker – even at the best of times! For example, do need to fix a broken handle, turn up a new knob, repair a wedge or true the wooden sole of your favorite hand plane? Check out our tips and tricks on a range of restoration and repair jobs.


Stanley No. 4-1/2 H Smooth Plane (Heavy)

Manufactured: 1902 to 1924
Length: 10 inches
Blade Width: 2-3/8 inches
Construction: Cast iron, stained beech or rosewood handle & knob
Finish: Japanned
Features: Extra wide & heavy casting
Uses: General purpose bench plane
Average Dealer Price: $1000 to $2000
Average eBay Price: $900 to $1750

Other Notes: The letter H is cast on the body casting after the number. Never shown in any Stanley Tool Co. catalog, and most examples have turned up in Great Britain – presumably to compete with the heavier Spiers and Norris cast planes.


Updated: 25th July, 2006

Stanley No. 4-1/2 H Smooth (Heavy) 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.

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