DID YOU KNOW…

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Stanley No. 3 Smooth Plane

Manufactured: 1869 to 1984
Length: 8 inches
Blade Width: 1-3/4 inches
Construction: Cast iron, rosewood handle & knob
Finish: Japanned
Features: Handy size smoother
Uses: General purpose bench plane
Average Dealer Price: $50 to $100
Average eBay Price: $40 to $80
Type 1: $400 to $800
Type 2: $250 to $500
Type 3: $350 to $800
Type 4: $80 to $150

Other Notes: Suitable for smaller work. Sweetheart versions (1920-1935) often reach higher prices, but not always.


Updated: 12th March, 2006

Stanley No. 3 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.

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