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. 74 Floor Plane

Manufactured: 1886 to 1923
Length: 10-1/2 inches
Blade Width: 2-5/8 inches
Construction: Cast iron, hardwood handle
Finish: Japanned
Features: Extra heavy. Planes floor boards from a standing position.
Uses: For smoothing the uneven edges of floor boards
Average Dealer Price (with handle): $500 to $1000
Average eBay Price (with handle): $600 to $950
Type 1: $750 to $1500
Other Notes: Often these are missing the 45 inch long handle and a handle in good condition is worth $300 to $400 each (a plane without its handle will only fetch between $220 to $350). These planes are quite heavy – about 21-1/2 pounds for the later types with the earlier types at about half that weight.

Updated: 28th July, 2006

Stanley No. 74 Floor 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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email