DID YOU KNOW…

Thomas Norris is famous for his highly crafted and beautifully made infill planes. E. Guymer reminisces about a time when he was first introduced to Mr. & Mrs. Norris and how he would eventually became a part of the family.


Stanley No. 51 Chute Board Plane

Manufactured: 1909 to 1943
Length: 15 inches
Blade Width: 2-3/8 inches
Construction: Cast iron, rosewood handle & knob
Finish: Japanned
Features: Skewed blade
Uses: Trims and mitres end grain
Average Dealer Price: $220 to $480
Average eBay Price: $200 to $440

Other Notes: Used with a chute board to accurately trim end grain for joints, such as with picture framing. Sweetheart versions (1920-1935) often reach higher prices, but not always


Updated: 30th March, 2006

Stanley No. 51 Chute Board 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.