#5 1/2 question

[Bud Duffy]

I was in town today and found a Stanley # 5 1/2 with groves in the bottom it says baily on the front and the metal cutter says stanley with sw in a heart the rear handle is broke and needs replaced other than that it is in real good shape, it looks like it will work ok. So the question is i paid $25 for it did i get took or is that a ok price ? I dont know anything about planes just wanted an not to expensive one to use. Oh yea no pics as the wife has the camera in Virginia till the first of the month.

[Roy Wall]

Bud,

I think you did well -- not taken by any means...

A 5 or 5 1/2 has always been a good choice for a first plane aquisition.
The grooves in the bottom mean a "corragated" type.
The "SW" means the Sweetheart era around 1920's and 30's .

So, this is a market-ible plane even in just "so-so" condition.

TO work well, it just needs a flat sole and sharp blade---you'll enjoy making shavings!! Just clean it up and sharpen and give it a go on some pine - edge grain or the face of the board....you'll have a kick!!

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Bud, that's an excellent price for a 5 1/2. I have been trying to buy a good user on e-bay for awhile and they usually go for $75-100 in decent condition.

[James Carmichael]

Sounds like a great deal, the 5 1/2s do very well on Ebay. You might measure the width of the iron, I believe earlier 5 1/2s used a 2 1/4"-wide iron, then later standardized on 2 3/8 (same size as the 4 1/2, 6 & 7). If you're going to use it, 2 1/4" irons may be difficult to find, but I think I've seen them somewhere.

Congrats, and welcome to the slippery slope!

[David Turner]

Bud: $25 for a Stanley Bailey 5 1/2 is a steal. I have 5 of them including the 605 1/2's and all were $100 to $200. The blades, all of mine are 2 1/4", can be ground down from 2 3/8" wide blades. I use a belt sander and I am careful not to overheat.

[Steve Cox]

Measure the iron and if it is 2 1/4", blades are available directly from Ron Hock (www.hocktools.com). You only really need a replacement if your current iron is in bad shape. Mine was and it took a while to find one. I reach for this plane before I reach for my #5 or anything else. Really very comfortable to me.

[Bud Duffy]

I measured the blade it is 2 1/4" wide ,and from the lip to the hole in the middle it has an inch left, so i guess i will have to get a new blade sometime. Thanks for all the information guys i appreciate it. Is there a way to fix the handle where it is broken up at the top where it rests between the thumb and forefinger just that part is broken off just above the screw head it's still usable the way it is just looks funny.

[Scott Coffelt]

Check out this web site.

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0a.html

Very helpful to understanding the basics and more.

You can also check out this site as well.

http://www.rexmill.com/ I believe he has a method for fixing damaged pieces. Then there is always a replacement tote for about $25.