= Stanley No.4  / Type 8 =

(1899-1902)

This poor little guy was picked up off e-bay for $2.59 + shipping.  It was in such sad shape I just had to buy it (well, that and it looked old!)  I had to call in some reinforcements for a new rosewood knob & tote for it. I could of reused the tote, but I got a set and went with them. The old tote did get sent to another fellow woodworker for a plane he had.  This plane is also the first one to get the proper aspahltum paint that was used as a finish on them.  This was also the first plane to go thru the electrolysis process. I did give it a light sand blasting after the electrolysis as I was not 100% happy with it.  This is next to impossible to find, but there is a store in New York that sells it. The cost per quart is $26.00 but expect to pay at least $40.00 shipped. You can buy it at "Liberty on the Hudson" The upside to this finish is you will probably never use it all. You use very little product.  Well, onto the photos!

So there you have it, a plane that is at least 104 years old brought back from an embarrassing state and returned to it's former glory.  If anyone is interested in the hand made front knob, I may be tempted to part with it.. Just drop me an e-mail!

I almost forgot, I am also testing a new blade on this. It may turn out to be a full waste of my money, but the "BORG" (aka: Home Depot) has these stupidly cheap replacement plane blades that are under $3.00 and made by Buck Brothers. Now again, they may be useless, but they might just hold an edge ok.. Good enough for a back up plane anyway?? First impression is the fit to the plane is good, a hair short but I have seen less length before. It must be sharpened before use, but that is to be expected. I may give it a shave before I sharpen it just for kicks, but I will post the results of this testing when I get around to it. The blade is the one in the last photo. Not bad looking in the plane, and it fits well.. We shall see!

This page was created & maintained by Lee Thomas 

Last edited May 4, 2006