Stanley Planes - An Australian Guide to Identification and Value by Hans Brunner covers most Stanley planes, their manufacturing details and prices realised - as well as illustrative pictures of each plane discussed. This book had its genesis in Hans' old website gem Stanley By The Numbers. This has been fully revised and added to in this publication.
Hans is very specific in pointing out from the opening remarks in this catalogue of planes, that he has written it to address the two most basic questions that people ask - what is it, and what is it worth?
This publication answers both of those questions extremely well.
In reference to individual plane models, Hans draws on his decades of knowledge and experience as a vintage tool dealer and collector, to highlight points of interest as well as traps for the unwary. Many of the Stanley planes came with a standard set of parts appropriate to that model - often these are missing or have substitutes from other models. Enthusiasts and collectors wishing to avoid landing that dreaded frakenplane, will find Hans' insights invaluable.
Pages are laid out in catalogue format, and the planes are dealt with by the numbers, starting with 1 and ending with 444. Bedrock Planes are dealt with separately, and Stanley variations such as two tone planes, Victor, Handyman and Stanley Gage are also mentioned. The book finishes with honoured reference to Leonard Bailey and Victor planes - along with Bailey Defiance.
As well as this cornucopia of plane facts and figures, there is an excellent section on cleaning and restoring vintage tools. Many old tools are rare, and several Stanley planes fit into this category. Since aggressive "cleaning" can destroy a tool's value, this treatise on restoration is invaluable.
There is a short history of the Stanley Works, and one of the easiest US Stanley plane dating guides in publication anywhere. This is not as comprehensive as other in-depth dating and type studies, but is an excellent starting point for those wishing to establish an approximate age for their US made Stanley plane.
This publication is available directly from Hans Brunner - and at the bargain price of AU$22 including domestic postage, it is outstanding value for money.
If you are in any way interested in hand tools, their history and use, then this publication might very well become a much consulted reference.
Disclaimer: I have no interest or involvement in this publication, nor am I in any way associated with the author, except as a long time friend. Note that the planes shown in use here are my own, and are not illustrations from the book itself.
May your woodworking be joyous and your daily challenges small ......................
Love life and live ......................
I got it, I like it and for the amount of information contained it's a beauty. Checked the John Walter book the Hans recommended BUT the conversion to $AU and the horrible postage from USA canned any thoughts of that!
ReplyDeleteBeenpower