What Plane Should I Use Stanley Numbering System
What Plane Should I Use Stanley Numbering System
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The Stanley Hand Tool numbering system can be extremely confusing. then yo ask yourself what plane would I use where. that is where this video comes in. today we are going to look at the stanley planes and see what they can do and where you should use a #4 vs a #7. so whether you are using a smoothing plane or a joiner we have the plane for you.
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How can one ask do you need of course! We do and the best plane is the tuned sharp plane
My first plane funnily was a Stanley No. 4 1/2 before I got a Record No. 4
Very interesting and I guess I made the right choice!
I’m a n00b to woodworking… only had a "new" bailey #4, but wanted a 2nd longer plane for jointing, flattening, truing, etc.
Found a pretty mint series15 #6 yesterday and bought it!
Good price, esp for its’ condition… waay cheaper than even a rusty #5-1/2!
I was contemplating very hard bn a #5 and #6 (to pair with my #4)… but was worried a #5 would be too similar to the #4, and I’d maybe just use that all the time and never the #4 anymore. So, I think a #6 is a better difference… #4 for smoothing and general work, and a #6 for jointing, truing and flattening.
It’s kinda like camera prime lenses… you usually skip the next focal length, or double it… to minimize your kit weight, size and/or cost.
eg: if I had a common 50mm lens (#4 plane), then another typical 35mm lens (#5 plane) is kinda similar…. so, I got a 24mm (#6) instead!
Also, a 24mm is kinda similar to a 35mm too (I could always just easily crop the 24mm pic to get a 35mm fov).
…a nice "gap" in your minimal kit of lenses (or planes), while still being most versatile.
Also… like you mentioned in video… #6 is like half the cost of a rare #5-1/2 (esp one that’s not completely rusted), and a 1/3 the price of a #7!
#6 is a wonderful thing!
Not to mention it also has a wider blade than my #4 (same as a #5-1/2).
Thanks for the info!! I just picked up a large jack plane labelled "No 5A" and I have no clue what manufacturer made it… That’s the only label on the toe of the plane and there is nothing on the rest of it! Hoping someone in the comments may know a tad more, but I am stumped, my dudes!
There you go the definitive answer. No you don’t need all those planes!
As a public service I am willing to take those unnecessary planes (esp. 1s, 2s, and 8s) off people’s hands; free of charge!
Great video James! I got a quick question if someone can help me.. I got on my hand an old Rapier 700 (just like a Stanley 7) and I’m in the journey of restoring it… the blade is super used so Im looking for a new one but from where I am (Chile) I can’t find replacement for a No 7, so.. the question is, can I use for example a No. 5 blade on a No. 7???
Hello! What does the 4 1/2, 5 1/2 and the 5 1/4 used for?
Very informative info just what I needed as an old newbie. I notice you have a lot of Blue Stanleys in your line up. I am wanting to get a 4 and 5 but have read the Blue painted Stanley USA made ones are just not as good as the old pre 1960’s planes. Do think that is true or is there a bit of plain old plane snoberry? 🙂 Some of my guitar bretheren who think a 1960’s Gibson ES330 is so much better than a 70’s or 80’s or new production which IMO and years of guitar experience is not always true, some are some aren’t. Many new production guitars today are even better than a lot of older vintage. Anyway, back to planes I want a 4 and 5 to actually use. Your advice please on Blue vs Black
The laugh and then the cut lol. I can only assume you cut out the crying.
I built my first wooden plane last year, then another and another and another, am I a plane builder now?
I use a Stanley block plane, a wooden #5 a wooden #7 and a wooden rebate plane. They can do everything I need, but I’m going to build a wooden #3 next for smoothing duties.
How do you choose a plane? Dull blade, dull blade, dull blade, sharp blade <- winner, you get chosen.
The Stanley five and a quarter.
Is it labeled 5-14? That would be
five minus a quarter. Or, 4.75.
(I read that somewhere, and don’t
remember where.)
steve
I own a no5 and 5 1/2 which i use regularly. If you only need one, buy a 5 or 5 1/2
Thanks for your videos leaned alot. I have a butcher block countertop. I sanded it stained it few years back made a big mess with all the dust though out the house. I believe its oak wood not sure how to tell. But if i where to do a #5 plank and a sanding block & paper by hand would that be a option? I also have a fairly long half inch wide crack behind my sink in the wood from the water over the years. Whats the best way you’d recommend repairing that. Thanks again for vidoes.
Great review. Thank you for posting.
I bought a "Great Neck" 8 planer, I don’t know much about planers
I wasn’t paying attention to part of the video but all I heard was type 1 and I thought I was a plane for a second of diabetus 🤣
Why your Stanley planes is blue like a Record?
Hello James. I love your videos. The traditional woodworking style is very interesting to me, and you have inspired me to explore the possibility of getting into it. Your videos help give confidence to beginners as your videos are very informative and detailed. Love what you do. Keep it up. Thanks for posting.
Need them all? I’m pretty sure I don’t need any. 😂
What brand is your iron on the No.4 with rounded top? I know it doesn’t affect it’s actual use, but it still stinks that your 5¼ has a hang-hole. Nice collection and explanation. For right now, I have a 3 (unfortunately the sole is cracked and the tote and knob are broken on this one), 4, 5, 6, 7, and a 8. The quarter and half sizes are very rare around my area so people charge a crazy amount for them. 😞
Keep up the great work!
very informative video, thank you.
Great explanation! My dad had a similar collection so I grew up using these. Doing a lot of timber framing my favorite is the 10 1/2.
If they ask me if i have a no. 53 stanley??? ,,,,automatically speaking
MADE IN CHINA….. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is definitely a good summary of the topic – I wish I saw something like this when I was first starting out.
I agree 100% with you in that these planes can be used for pretty much any job. Hey I just found out about a 1/2 hour ago that my two No 2 Stanley planes are a collectable tool and are pretty expensive, shucks I found one at our local garbage dump and I got the other one at a garage sale for 2 dollars. I collect, restore and use antique and vintage tools for all my projects and jobs. Last week while garage saleing I got a cast aluminum Cummins 1/4 inch drill and a cast aluminum Porter Cable skilsaw, both work perfect. They sure don’t make tools like they once did, shucks today when a tool fails for any reason, most guys just chuck them away and buy another cheap chinese one.
What about vintage Record planes? A lot of them can be had for great prices and I’ve seen some modeled after Preston as well as Stanley.
Help me,
I’m joyfully collecting also I’ve got 3-7 so far.
The #3 I got in yesterday!…
I did my homework and it’s one of those “ww2,or after” planes that everyone says not to buy 😭😫
(Through an eBay pic I thought it was a type 16 😡 NOT an 18)
“I at least got a brass adjustment knob on it ,not the black plastic one for what it’s worth 😒.”
But is this plane worth fixing up? or should I call it a loss and look for an earlier #3 ?
I hate to admit it but… $50, I paid friggin $50
Did I flat out rob myself?, or just burnt a bit?
Nice video! Would you recommend a hand plane to renovate a parquet floor?
Every time I see your shop and your tools I re-examine my life.
thank you, this was really helpful 🙂
I have heard some used the no 1 as a block plane replacement during cold weather for ergonomics.
Very beautiful video… Compliment.
OMG!!! Awesome! You just answered a bunch of my questions; numbering, type of plane, type numbering, order, size, etc, etc, & etc.
I just started woodworking, and I mostly make dining tables, which are 4 2×10’s put together. I try to make sure they are all level when I glue them together, but that doesn’t always work out. Which plane do you think would be best for leveling that out?
I scored an Ohio Tool Company # 5 1/2 today. What a find?
What are your thoughts in "transitional" planes? I have a jointer and a jack plane of the style, and I’m not sure if I’m getting the most out of my work using them.
I just ordered my first plane off eBay. If it’s anything like bikes or boat motors, guitars, etc., having just one means I will maintain and use it better.
"Stanly" loved to count?
One has to collect them. Once you have them, and chisels, and good saws and learn to sharpen them, then you can become a woodworker. The love of the tool can get it all going. I love them all.
Love your content.
OK I got a Stanley #5. I was wondering how do I tell what type it is? And it’s missing the blade and all the components that go to the blade on my Stanley #5, where can I get the replacement parts for it?
confusing Stanley made crystal clear until numbers became quarters and halves, but well done, and why do some planes have grooves in the bottom plate?
TRAP, start to woodwork with hand planes, no number of hand planes are enough, for every job you encounter there is a plane that just nails it. So you buy hand planes that fit your mantra. Then you look at vintage etc. do I need to say more. My advice, and every D.F..K has the so called holy grail of planes lol. So my choice 4, 5, 6. low angle jack plane, block plane. These will do all you want and more. James is a good person he will do you no wrong in what to buy. cheers from Tasmania
Nice 5 1/2…
Thanks again James. I’ve got the whole series in corrugated. (Started with a couple inherited). For anyone wanting to really dive into Stanley numbers, look up a site called "Patrick’s blood and gore". He’s got the whole system including comments about each one. There’s a LOT of Stanley planes
Muy buena colección de lo mejor
Now that I’m a "plane collector", here’s my minimum list,
1 block plane for fine work
1 block plane for home improvement
1 junk block plane for the 3 year old to use
1 #4 or #5 set for smoothing
1 #4 or #5 set for roughing
1 #6, #7, or #8 for jointing and bench flattening
And a rabbet plane is nice now and then…
Hello, I have a Stanley numbered "C74 1/2" – 14 in. long 2 1/2in. wide ! Wondering where’s this one fit ?? Also, will be using my old entrylevel Stanley no 4 for my next Scrub Plane, so should I select another number 4 for my ForePlane or Am I better to select a number 5 for a ForePlane ? Many thanks, Robert
Very informative, thank you. 🙏