DID YOU KNOW…

The descriptive terminology used by planemaker’s and collectors can be somewhat confusing to the beginner. For example there was never any real standardization of the various parts of a plane as such, but the names tended to follow the same general pattern.


Stanley No. 48 Tongue & Groove Plane

Manufactured: 1876 to 1942
Length: 10-1/2 inches
Blade Width: 5/16 inches
Construction: Cast iron, rosewood knob
Finish: Nickel plated
Features: Swinging fence
Uses: Cuts a tongue and groove for joining boards
Average Dealer Price: $80 to $150
Average eBay Price: $70 to $140
Type 1: $100 to $200

Other Notes: Earlier types were japanned. Sweetheart versions (1920-1935) often reach higher prices, but not always


Updated: 30th March, 2006

Stanley No. 48 Tongue & Groove 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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