Stanley 45

[Glen Canaday]

I started a thread on another forum with a somewhat different (though loyal) readership. I thought, "since I respect them well enough to start on there, why not start the same thread here and reach a broader number of people?" So here I am, technically crossposting, asking the same question of a totally different readership....

Ya know, I actually don't start a ton of threads. I mostly reply to threads started by others, but I really want to get to the core of the mystery on this one.

Who actually uses the 45? I have two now, the type 3 with a brazed-in handle and a type 8 I got in a lot on ebay for wayyy too cheeeep.

The newer one I am actually excited about. It is coming at a time when I am realizing that I do NOT need every single plane ever minted by the Millers Falls Company. I am chagrined at my collection, realizing what I've done to get it to where it is. As a result, I am remembering why I began in the first place - to do some woodworking. To make stuff. I can't afford a bazillion woodies either in terms of resto time or cash so the 45 represents a resignation to utility and a little bit of "The Schwarz Anarchism," one tool to do a bunch of work that doesn't show on the face anyway.

So while I am starting my reduction in earnest at an MWTCA meeting, I want to ask you tools guys a pretty simple question that I think doesn't get asked enough: What do you DO with this thing?!?

[James Pallas]

I use my 45 often. As a plow, beading, rabbet, dados. I have used it as a tongue and grove plane a few times. Never tried any sash making with it. It takes a little getting use to and it isn't the perfect tool for the job sometimes. They one I have now is my second one. I wouldn't not want to have it. I hope Jim K gets better soon, he knows a lot about 45s.
Jim

[Bill Houghton]

Mainly beads, flutes, and plowing. I'd be using it more often if the d-----d house wasn't taking so much of my time. But, even on the house, I've found uses for it; for instance, nothing beats it (well, other than a purpose-made tool) for cutting the drip groove in the bottom of a window sill.

[Glen Canaday]

Mainly beads, flutes, and plowing. I'd be using it more often if the d-----d house wasn't taking so much of my time. But, even on the house, I've found uses for it; for instance, nothing beats it (well, other than a purpose-made tool) for cutting the drip groove in the bottom of a window sill.

How do you cut that? I have never done it..!

[Normand Leblanc]

I recently bought one with all the blades and accessories. I've followed Stanley manual who show what you can do with it.
http://tooltrip.com/tooltrip9/stanle...anes/45man.pdf

I have to say that, for a first time using it, I was really pleased. It's only across the grain that either I have to figure it out properly or it doesn't work very good.

I made a review on my blog but haven't used it yet on a project...it's coming for sure.
http://ancienscopeaux.ca/en/evaluation-stanley-45-2/

Normand

[Glen Canaday]

Nice write-up, Normand! Did you pull the spurs backward first before trying the cross-grain work?

[Bill Houghton]

How do you cut that? I have never done it..!

First, the purpose of a drip groove. On an old-style wood window, with a windowsill sitting on the rough framing, you need a drip groove so that water can't travel down the face of the sill and up the bottom into the wall - which it can do, thanks to the magic of surface tension. The groove "cuts" the surface tension of the water and gives somewhere for it to drip from. They're a good idea even on modern windows, if your trim detail around the window replicates the old-fashioned windowsill:
sill102.jpg
You can see the drip groove (image taken from internet) a fraction of an inch in from the outer face of the sill here.

A lot of people cut them with a table saw set to a shallow cut, and you could do the job with a narrow plow iron; but I prefer the cleaner look of a flute, and it's easier to paint than the sharp edges of a narrow groove.

I have some fluting bits (cut a round hollow, but way smaller than most round planes will cut) purchased from Stanley back when they had them in their parts inventory (alas, gone last I looked). You could get the same effect by grinding the end of a plow bit on a curve - 1/8" or 3/16" ideal for this application. A perfect curve's nice, but not necessary for this purpose (but try to do it right; a small flute can be a great furniture detail, too).

Then you just cut the shallow flute about 1/4" in from the edge, measuring from the edge of the flute closest to the face of the sill.

[steven c newman]

Been using my Type 20 a lot. Mainly for ploughing a groove or two..
cutting a groove.jpg
Might give the rest of the "jobs" a tryout in a few weeks...

[Normand Leblanc]

Nice write-up, Normand! Did you pull the spurs backward first before trying the cross-grain work?

Yes I did. Since then I've improve a bit. The problem was that the cutter was kind of flush with the spur. Moving the cutter inward helps a lot but its not perfect. There is definitely room to improve this aspect.

Normand

[Ray Selinger]

Glen, if you can find ALF's postings on multiplanes, they are quite instructional. She really liked and used them.

[Glen Canaday]

I'll look for those. I hated the type 3 since I couldn't adjust the iron well, but the type 8 has the screw adjuster. After cleaning it up with mineral spirits and giving it a shot of WD-40, I'm diggin' it.

As a minor gloat...I got the 45, a very early 78, and a near perfect type 2 #113 on the auction site for $50+shipping. All are marked with the same owner's mark from way back when. I'm really rather floored.

[Bill Houghton]

As a minor gloat...I got the 45, a very early 78, and a near perfect type 2 #113 on the auction site for $50+shipping. All are marked with the same owner's mark from way back when. I'm really rather floored.

I don't think that qualifies as a minor gloat; more significant gloat. Good score!

[Jim Koepke]

Howdy all,

Just got out of hospital today.

That is a significant gloat on the ebay score Glen. Was it poorly listed or what?

Here is a piece of mine posted a few years ago.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?121761

You will have to scroll down to the part on the #45.

There are a lot of good uses for just the plowing and rabbeting. The other blades can help with decorative work and joinery.

jtk

[peter Joseph]

It is my go-to for T&G's as well as plowing a groove for drawer bottoms.

[Chuck Hart]

have some blades also.