Questions Answered - Old #4's or New

Question:

My question is about a Stanley No. 4 plane I just bought on Ebay. I am not sure if I made the right buy. The seller didn't know when it was from but was guessing 50's or 60's. I've bought It with what seems to be the original box and manual all of which looks pretty old and authentic to me. The planes you have all seem to have screws on handles and height adjustment screw of bronze/brass. On the one I bought they have a silverish finish. Other differences?

I've read on your blog that you preferred the pre 70-era planes - but I didn't find anywhere exactly why this period.

Answer:

Hello Nils,

​​Personal preferences don't necessarily mean that the planes won't work equally well and nickel plating on steel wheels doesn't mean they won't work just as well as brass. When restored they all seem to me to work equally well and even the brand new ones can be made to work just fine.

​The standards of manufacturing have declined steadily since the 70's, but the worst aspect of new ones is the low-grade plastic handles that constantly crack, break and need replacement. Stanley seem to have failed to reconcile that the plastic they use doesn't tolerate lower temperatures so they do readily crack even when the weather in not too much cooler. In winter they crack immediately if you don't warm the whole plane up a few degrees. This then alters the flatness of the sole so it does impact this aspect of the plane too. Replacing the handles with wooden ones adds to the cost unless you make your own.

​​Record Irwin 04 planes show pics of nice hardwood handles when you see them on Amazon and eBay, yet the ones they actually sell are ABS plastic too, so it's not always easy to get a decent plane. It's always best to really check the descriptions, inspect the photographs and ask questions if using eBay.

​​Best regards,

​​Paul