Stanley vs. Record Planes
k-e...@uiuc.edu
I am considering buying a #3, #5, #7 and a block plane and have been
comparing the Record and the Stanley brands. One questions I have is are
there any big differences between the two? I noticed that the Record has a
brass tightening screw instead of a locking lever on the cap iron. Is this
preferred? The blade on the Record is made out of tungsten vanadium steel
instead of chrome steel like the Stanley blade, is this better. The William
Alden catalog has the Stanley #7 for $67.00 which is over thirty dollars
cheaper than the Record in other catalogs (Garret Wade, Lee Valley, Wood
Crafts etc.). I have serched the archives and could not find a thread
concerning this subject.
Thank you. Ken.
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Kevin Singleton
well. I have a Stanley block plane, though, and I like it, too.
Kevin
k-e...@uiuc.edu wrote in message <7b0s1s$g2f$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
Jim Stuard
Having been a Stanley user for many years, I was pleasantly surprised to try
out Records low angle block plane. While the larger planes are basically the
same (not counting setup time, flattening, etc.), the differences between
the block planes are major. Size being the first. The Record is larger than
the Stanley. For some people, this could be the deciding point. Smaller
hands will like the way the Stanley feels. Out of the box, the Record iron
has better edge holding qualities. Either way, call one of the catalogues
and buy a Hock blade to replace the original. You can't go wrong.
The Record is fussier to adjust. I just bought Lie Nielsen low angle, which
has about the same style adjustment as the Record. The LN holds the iron
quite well, while the Record iron will tend to wander after some use.
Stanley's lever clamping system is pretty fool-proof.
As far as paying retail for a new plane, the only plane that I would buy new
would be a low-angle block. As soon as the flea market season starts on the
spring you should be able to find all of your listed planes for much less
than retail and get the honor of bringing back an old soldier to "user"
status. In that respect, looking is half the fun. I've seen Bailey #3's and
#5's from 5 to 35$. The #7's are a bit more rare, but not unfindable.
Good luck in your journey to Galoot-hood,
--
*****************************
James A. Stuard
Associate Editor
Popular Woodworking Magazine
1507 Dana Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45207
(513) 531-2690 ext.348
E-mail me at Ji...@fwpubs.com
See our site at http://www.popwood.com
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LssBob
I bought a Record #04 plane at Woodworker's Warehouse last year...it's a
piece of junk! It never worked very well and, last weekend, I started
tuning it up and discovered that the base had a .010" trench!!! in it. The
only way to get it flat is to take it down to nothing...a waste of $55...I
would never buy another Record tool again!
Couldn't tell you about the Stanleys...I'm going to take a look at my old #9
when Spokeshave has his class
Bob Gale
jenisi
>
> I am hoping some of you can help me out concerning which hand planes to buy.
> I am considering buying a #3, #5, #7 and a block plane and have been
> comparing the Record and the Stanley brands.
Make sure you get a #4 as well.
One questions I have is are
> there any big differences between the two? I noticed that the Record has a
> brass tightening screw instead of a locking lever on the cap iron. Is this
> preferred?
I bought a record lo-angle block plane about 10-12 years ago, had the
preferred, IMHO locking lever. It worked well, I even jointed short
boards with it. Unfortunately this plane found it's way to plane
nirvahna. I replaced it with another record. This plane and the one I
got when I took it back fall in to the POS catagory-essentially
unuseable for anything but rough work. I now have a #65 "knucklehead" lo
angle block plane ( thanks Paddy!) "matches" my #18. Takes shavings off
oak end grain that float up. Buy an old plane, cost me about what a new
record would-no mine's not for sale!
The blade on the Record is made out of tungsten vanadium steel
> instead of chrome steel like the Stanley blade, is this better.
Blades on new planes are about the same quality as the planes, IMHO.
The William
> Alden catalog has the Stanley #7 for $67.00 which is over thirty dollars
> cheaper than the Record in other catalogs (Garret Wade, Lee Valley, Wood
> Crafts etc.).
And is not a whole lot less than you'd pay for an older plane that
works.
I have serched the archives and could not find a thread
> concerning this subject.
Does this tell you something? Truth is, unless you spend some big bucks
for a L-N or it's like, no new plane can be made to work anywhere near
as well as an old one. Cast steel soles, Rosewood knob and
totes-compare to what you buy today. Understand new or old, both will
need a tune up ( unless you pay a dealer to tune yours and what fun is
that?) Look up Spokeshave's "hand tuning a plane" posted about a week
ago for further information. The difference is, after this, your old
plane_will_work. Your new plane will still be a POS.
>
> Thank you. Ken.
yer welcome
Ed
IB
Hoff Stuart
"Tuning old Planes". If there are other people, Please let Spokeshave
(or me) know.
Hoff Stuart
BigEd1206
line in their catalog. The planes are nearly identical in every way. Just
sharpen properly and don't worry about the name too much. Best regards, Bob
.... BigE...@aol.com
Spokeshave
now it's just a matter of scheduling...
> Last I heard, I was the only one that showed an interest in a class on
> "Tuning old Planes". If there are other people, Please let Spokeshave
> (or me) know.
> > Couldn't tell you about the Stanleys...I'm going to take a look at my old #9
> > when Spokeshave has his class
> >
> > Bob Gale
--
John A. Gunterman... Horse shoeing for cash only.
Visit the New Apprentice Neanderthal Page at:
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/spokeshave/A_N.HTM
Larry Root
I would be interested in an inexpensive video.
Respectfully,
Larry
Patrick H. Corrigan
Time-Life Woodworking book series. They usually give you one book for about $10 and
throw in a video that includes Mike Dunbar showing how to clean up and tune old
planes and Frank Kraus doing dovetails. Not as good as a real, live in-person
teacher, but I think it is a good start.
Oh, BTW, make sure you cancel after the initial order or those books will keep coming
at full retail plus shipping!
Thomas Salkield
mangled frog screw.
Impossible to contact Trendlines customer service.No easy way to contact
Record.
Stanley nice enough to send screws to try even though not their plane.
Stanley customer service easy to find and talk to. Buy Stanley if you
must have new, But I've learned my lesson only buy old planes or
Lie-Nielson if you have an understanding wife and recently won the
lottery.
--
Tom Salkield