Stanley 55

[john zulu]

Hi All,

I am reading this post with considerable interest.

With regard to a company like Lie-Nelson or Lee Valley bringing the 55 back out, my thoughts were along the lines of what both Steven and Jim alluded to. My guess is the cost of manufacturing a new Stanley 55 would likely make the selling cost frightening.

As to "living in the past," personally, I like owning and using high quality woodworking tools, and I put a bunch of vintage Stanley, Disston, Millers Falls, etc. woodworking tools in that category, and "yes," I think it is pretty neat that a tool I might be currently using is 100+ years old. In the case of vintage tools passed down from family, it is even better yet knowing my Dad and Grandfather owned, and used this very same tool.

Stew

Rob are you monitoring this thread ?

[Kees Heiden]

Anant in India seems to be still making the #45.

http://www.anant-tools.com/multi_plane.html

[Jim Koepke]

Anant in India seems to be still making the #45.

http://www.anant-tools.com/multi_plane.html

Record made them for a while followed by Clifton. So Anat is attempting to challenge the second hand market.

At least Record did make some of the 'special blades' beyond the standard set. There may still be a Record fluting cutter or two in my accumulation.

jtk

[steven c newman]

I went and looked through that site ( Anant) did not see any price listed for their 45 copy. I also noted a knock-off of the Stanley #50.

There is an Anant A4 sitting in the shop, right now. I doubt IF the A45 will cost the same as the A4 I have......$5. Would be nice to know what the price is, and who sells them around here.

At least it isn't a Kunz.....

[Eric Keller]

Seems like people are learning to use them again, judging from youtube. Someone used my 55 a lot, one of the rosewood fences is worn through. If someone is starting out and wants to use a plane to make molding, it seems they are in for a struggle if they don't get a 45 or a 55. I suppose you could spend a lot of time accumulating wooden molding planes, but that always reminds me of the FWW cover (tools and shops 2004/2005) with the shop full of shelving loaded down with molding planes.

[Jim Koepke]

I suppose you could spend a lot of time accumulating wooden molding planes, but that always reminds me of the FWW cover (tools and shops 2004/2005) with the shop full of shelving loaded down with molding planes.

It starts with a few hollows & rounds. Then a few skewed H&Rs get into the mix so one has to get a full set of those. Then it seems every maker is slightly different in how they designate the sizes or one wants to have both the even and the odd sizes. Followed by side beading planes and center beading. How can one live without a complete set of fluting, side fluting, corner round and rabbet planes. Then there are all the 'complex' shapes. Often times on might have to buy a box of old woodies just to get the one desired plane like a snipe bill plane.

Then they get to be like block planes and start to multiply. Especially if you mention your interest to friends and family, they start showing up with ones they found at yard sales, flea markets and antique shops.

And that is how one ends up with a wall of shelves dedicated to storing thousands of wooden planes that are all sort of different.

jtk

[Kees Heiden]

It took some digging, but here is one for sale. I wouldn't recommend them though, Anant tools have the same kind of reputation as Kunz.

https://www.toolman.co.uk/acatalog/A...Plane-560.html

[Jim Koepke]

It took some digging, but here is one for sale. I wouldn't recommend them though, Anant tools have the same kind of reputation as Kunz.

https://www.toolman.co.uk/acatalog/A...Plane-560.html

What is personally considered one of my luckiest bids on that auction site was a Stanley #45 in an owner made box set with not only a second plane, a Wards Master #45, but a full set of blades including all the 'special cutters' for less than the price of an Anant.

The listing didn't say anything about the extra blades, but looking close at the picture they were visible.

It pays to be vigilant when searching whether it be an auction site, flea market or antique shop. Rust hunting isn't for the easily distracted.

jtk

[Joe Williams]

If you look at the sites, you will find that it's more the models with good boxes that are fetching the most money. I was able to get an almost perfect condition 55 with a good box for 450 I think it was from Jim Bode. I may never once in my life use that plane and I don't care. I take it out and look at it often. It's just a marvel of the past and it makes me feel really good knowing I have it.

I am ordering most of the old street tools planes over time, so I don't know that I will ever really use it.

[steven c newman]

On "That Auction Site" right now, there is a wooden box, with the parts for a stanley 45 and 55.....and a LOT of cutters....There are a lot of cutters that work in both planes. Seems to be about the price of that Anant A45. Give it a few days, it MIGHT even double..

[Jim Koepke]

On "That Auction Site" right now, there is a wooden box, with the parts for a stanley 45 and 55.....and a LOT of cutters....There are a lot of cutters that work in both planes. Seems to be about the price of that Anant A45. Give it a few days, it MIGHT even double..

If it is item# 112390879836 then it is mostly an early #45 and some parts from a #55. The #45 looks like a type 6 which still uses the threaded rods. The moving skate is from a later plane.

It is mostly a pile of parts that may or may not work well. One can get a better #45 for that kind of money.

jtk

[John T Barker]

Just wondering if Stanley 55 is a valuable plane today. There is are many planes from LV and LN which could make it redundant?

Chime in your thoughts.

What do they make that is even close to a 55?

[steven c newman]

Not a bloody thing....

[lowell holmes]

There are 3 on the great auction site. There are no bids on any of them.

I think they are waaaaaay over priced.

[Jim Koepke]

My search found a lot more than 3.

The completed listings indicate the recent sales of #55 planes look to be between $150 and $350. At $150 for a complete plane it is in the range of what a complete #45 can get.

Prices may have fallen over the years because of collectors all having one. Suddenly they are wondering why. Maybe old tool collections are going to be like Beany Babies collections and there will be a price collapse. My concern ins't the cash value of my tools as much as it is what can be done with them and the enjoyment derived from using them in my shop.

Might also be that people who would want to use them have instead found the joys of using wooden molding planes. If one looks around the cost of a #55 can buy a few nice hollows and rounds. My hollows and rounds are on shelves that are close to the bench and get used regularly. My #55 is in its box a bit further away with occasional use. It is more likely a #45 or #50 will be used for the tasks not covered by my woodies.

In my opinion most woodworkers do not need or have a use for the #55.

On the other hand a plow/combination plane like the Veritas Small Plow, a #45 or #50 or many of the other variations can be rather useful in many a woodworker's shop.

jtk