What would this guy be worth?

[David Keller NC]

"Good luck trying to get a full set of blades for either. I have only seen a couple for the 55 over the years on eBay. One disappeared with a buy it now at $1600. The other was in excess of $800. Have to admit though, I have not been looking of late. Have only seen one for the 45 and the person did not know what it was. They were probably surprised that the two planes and a box full of blades earned them a little over $200."

A qualification - A "full" set for the 55 would include 4 boxes of what Stanely termed "special cutters" - these are largely reeding and fluting cutters of various widths and sizes. Sets of these are very, very rare, and thus go for big bucks if they're complete and in good shape.

However, the standard cutter sets aren't all that uncommon. Typically, they go for about $250 - $400 in the original boxes, in good shape (no rust, little wear), and with the original pasted labels on the boxes clearly readable and not torn/missing.

[Jim Koepke]

A qualification - A "full" set for the 55 would include 4 boxes of what Stanely termed "special cutters" - these are largely reeding and fluting cutters of various widths and sizes. Sets of these are very, very rare, and thus go for big bucks if they're complete and in good shape.

However, the standard cutter sets aren't all that uncommon. Typically, they go for about $250 - $400 in the original boxes, in good shape (no rust, little wear), and with the original pasted labels on the boxes clearly readable and not torn/missing.

Sorry, I did not make that clearer. The two 45 planes, one Stanley, one Wards (made by Stanley) came with the standard set supplied with the p lanes plus all the fluting and reeding cutters and a reverse sash blade.

The "full set" (maybe better labeled an extended set) for the 55 includes flute cutters to fill in the original four, the 3, 4, and 5 reed cutters, a lot of ogee cutters and such to extend the sizes that come with the standard set supplied with the plane.

Here is a link to a manual for the 55:

http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip9/st...anes/55man.pdf

Toward the end of the manual is a list of the supplied blades and on the next page is a list of the "special" cutters.

jim