Stanley #62 � a gloat? (part 1)
Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
>I recently bought this plane on eBay. Hans Brunner was selling it. He is a very reputable dealer in Australia and can be trusted to provide accurate information - all of which made the description of the Stanley #62 sound less than a bargain.
Hans wrote: �Stanley 62 low angle plane � great for parts or show �..This one looks good but has a few problems. Mouth enlarged, both sides cut/angled at the very front and there is some mild pitting on one side. The handle has a hairline crack. On the positive side: Most japanning intact, full SW cutter and very good lever cap. Front knob complete with the bottom plate and the adjuster cam. Not recommended as a user but a rare plane with all those hard to get bits and pieces�.
When I looked at the pictures Hans included I realised that the plane may be a user after all and that, if the price was right, I should take a chance on it. The big issue would be if the mouth could be set for a fine cut. From the little I had learned about these planes they have a tendency for the mouths to chip at the rear. I suspected that a previous owner had filed this out (and from the pics had done so quite crudely). I could not see why the front of the mouth would be filed since the mouth is adjustable. Perhaps Hans may actually have got it wrong for once?
All the remaining blemishes could be repaired, with the exception of the filed front. Cracks in handles could be fixed and pitting could be lapped out.
In the end I got the plane for what I believe is a gloatable price - just $90 USD ($128 AUD). This was made possible as there were only two other bidders. The advert obviously scared off everyone, and the auction was limited to Australia. Generally planes in a useable condition run anything between $250 - $500 USD.
Below are some of the original pictures showing the state of the plane.
