Stanley 55 thumbs screws

Re: Stanley 55 thumbs screws

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Stanley is famous for using screws and thread pitches that are all but unknown anymore. On some of their planes, they've continued to use them.

You might contact Clarence Blanchard at Fine Tool Journal (FINETOOLJOURNAL@aol.com) or Peter Niederberger (not sure of address, but I think he's got a website - try Google). I found Clarence Blanchard reasonably priced and quite easy to work with.

Re: Stanley 55 thumbs screws

Dale Stansbery

>Check out some metric thumb screws. You may get lucky and find one close enough to fit, but it's probably a long shot.

Here is a thumb screw *LINK*

Dan Donaldson

>Compliments of Stephen Shepherd. Probably not what you are looking for though;-))


Thumb screw and wing nut

Re: Stanley 55 thumbs screws

Todd Hughes

>Stanley as pointed out did not use common or "normal" screw pitches so your chance of finding a screw for your plane today down at the hardware store is zip. I have found that Sargent at least the ones that I have delt with used the same screw threads as Stanley and will often interchange.This is handy to know if you find you need a fence and rod for a 78/79 rabbet plane. Millers Falls are different though.Can't say for sure but I bet Union is the same as Stanley.Might be able to use another screw from a Stanley plane not a thumbscrew to work to if you are not worried about looks..As to thumb screws you may want to check on ebay for guys selling parts. I know in the last couple months I have just sold a few thumbscrews for a 45/55 fence on ebay.[all out no more left for sale] The first few sold for almost $40 a set if I remember right.....Guess some other people needed them too, eh? ...Todd

Re: Stanley 55 thumbs screws

Dale Stansbery

>Using a ruler and a screw out of a 45, it looks like they're about a 1/4" X 32 TPI. I can check with a thread gauge later today. I suspect the depth stop was the same, but as you can see in the picture, mine is a little different.

I bought this one at auction without looking at it, but the round and hollow and set of blades that was with it was worth the price I paid. The depth stop threaded portion was broken out, but a brass nut and some J-B weld will make it servicable. I still need to shape the repair with a dremel.

Too bad mine aren't thumbscrews. If they're worth $40, I'd sell them to you in a second :-).