Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Can vs US
Michael MacDonald
>As a handtool Newbie, who seems to have been bitten by the bug and is having a harf time not just tumbling over the edge of that slippery slope, I'm working at filling out my set of working benchplanes. My question is whether there is a difference in quality of casting, fit and form, between Stanley, bailey style planes made in Canada compaired to the ones made in the US.
Re: Can vs US
Rob Brophy Niagara Falls
>Hi Michael,
I have quite a few Stanley "Made in Can" Bailey planes. The form, fit and function are just as good as those made in the States. They are great users and generally less expensive than the American models...the collectors don't seem to be interested in them so the price stays down. Keep your eyes open for the Sweetheart models, they are particularly good.
Not sure if Stanley made a full line of bench planes in Canada ( I have even heard speculation that quite a few models were made in the US and just stamped "Made in Can"). CDN made #3-7 are very common up here, as are the #78 and 110, 120 & 9-1/2 block planes. I see CDN #4-1/2's, 45's and 55's on occasion but have never noticed CDN made #1, 2, 5-1/2, 5-1/4 or 8's, that doesn't mean they don't exist, I just haven't found one yet.
Maybe Vlad or Doug E will have more to add to this?
Take care,
Rob
Yes. Casting Weight, and Price.
Doug Evans
>There is quite a difference in Casting Weight, about 15 � 20%.
For example a Canadian No 7 weighs about a pound more. In fact, the English Stanley No 7 with the �V�-ribs in back weighs about two pounds more.
If one was putting together a low-cost set of user planes, I would pick up a Canadian No 4 and No 7, add in a couple of heavy cryo A2 irons/chipbreakers (I know someone who does that sorta thing�), and presto-magico� you�re almost 2/3 of the way to an infill (couldn�t resist).
Cheers,
Doug