Block plane epiphany

[Phil Mueller]

Another thumbs up for "newer" Stanley block planes. Here's a G12-020 I picked up from a garage sale. The iron needed a bit of work, but the sole was flat and has become a favorite. I guess one disclaimer is that the gentleman I bought it from was a woodworker...so who knows what fettling he may have done.

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[Sergey Petrov]

That is the plane I was looking for but all stock is now sold and Stanley South Africa are not interested in restocking. The 12-020 is a 9-1/2 with the adjustable mouth and has been a better plane throughout. These planes are sourced from different factories and one model often has nothing to do with another.

[Patrick Chase]

The modern Stanley Block Planes seem to be getting a severe wrap on the knuckles on this forum of late over their quality control, so I thought it an opportune time to forward my own experience. The block plane I am using on a regular basis was purchased about 5 years ago. It the 050 model, made in the UK, and is the equivalent of the earlier USA # 60 model. Apart from maintaining a sharp cutting edge on the blade, I have never felt the need to check the sole for flatness. In other words its been near enough within tolerance by the manufacturer not to require further work.
Stewie;

I've had a similar experience. i bought a Stanley block plane a while back to serve as a lower-cost complement to my "good" block planes, and it was reasonably manufactured. The sole wasn't LV-flat, but as Stewie points out that isn't all that hard to fix. The adjuster is a bit clunky and rough-feeling, but gets the job done. Overall not as horrible as you'll often see described.

[Chris Hachet]

Block p-lanes in general are an amazingly useful too lfor very little investment....

I have a vintage Stanley, a LN Rabbiting block plane, and a Veritas Apron plane that live on the top of my bench. Very useful indeed!

[Sergey Petrov]

So as planned, I obtained a DX60 First impressions are very positive. The PM-V11 blade takes on a hairpopping edge easily and the plane takes the thinnest of shavings without any fettling. I tried the plane on some Panga Panga I had and the edge crumbled in 10 hard strokes. In soft wood it has been very resilient suggesting that the steel is a touch on the brittle side but very hard. Also, as this was the first sharpening, thiese maybe observations of the surface material. Though I don't anticipate much difference in the blade section.

I purchased the plane from axminster tools in UK and had nothing but great service. They shipped the plane quickly and for a very good price. VAT was also subtracted on the UK side to prevent double charges and was never charged on this side. So I got the plane for a sweet price too.

P.S. As Jim suggested, the low angle plane on endgrain is just another dimension I can take curly shavings on my wild Olive endgrain

[David Eisenhauer]

Who knows Sergey - sometimes you get to better steel after two or three sharpenings. Sounds like it eats end grain.