The Elves Strike Again

The Christmas elves have returned.  This time bringing some antique planes.  Here is the scoop on the new arrivals.  BTW - I haven't taken time to clean them up yet so ignore the dust.  I was so excited when I saw the year on them I had to get this posted.

Stanley No. 8
The Stanley #8 plane is the oldest of the bunch.  With the help of the Internet (hyperkitten.com, and yes it is a family safe site) I have been able to date the plane to between 1902 and 1907 (Type 9).  The #7 is a 24 inch long jointer plane.

I believe the plane has the original handle, knob, and iron. 

One of the traits of Type 9 planes is the March 25, 1902 and August 19, 1902 patent dates right behind the throat.

The 'Bailey' name on the toe is a reference to the Stanley plane's designer.  The 'japanning' on this plane is in pretty good shape but not perfect.

The sole of the plane is corrugated to slide across the wood better.

Sargent Type 22(?)

I believe the Sargent plane to be a 'Type 22' manufactured between 1910 and 1918 to compete with the success Stanley was having with their planes.  The Type 22 plan is a 22 inch long jointer plane.

Like the Stanley, I believe the components of this plane are the original.


The 'japanning' on this plane is not in great shape though the condition of the wood components is is reasonable.

The sole of this plane is smooth and in good shape.

Stanley No. 7

The Stanley #7 plane is a 22 inch long jointer plane.  It is the newest of the batch, being manufactured between 1933 and 1941 (Type 16).

The #7 is the dirtiest of the bunch but overall in the best shape.  I guess that is to be expected since it is 30 years younger.  Like the others, it appears to have all of the original components.  It also appears to have been well taken care of.

The colored portion of the plane appears to be in better shape than the other two.  I hesitate to call it 'japanning' as Stanley began a process of lowering manufacturing costs in the 30s and I have not been able to verify the process to add the coloring.

It too has a corrugated bottom.

So you might be wondering why I would want 100 year old planes.  Other than the fact that they are very cool and hold some value (considerably more than I paid for them), they are very usable.  Information on rebuilding planes is readily available and these are in very good shape.  A little elbow grease, maybe some new 'japanning', and probably a replacement iron, will make these planes work and look like new.  Maybe even better.

Do I really need three jointer planes?  It's how many I have so the answer must be yes.