Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info - Hand Tools - Woodworking

Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/6/06, 3:50 AM #1

Chicago Bob
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138 posts

Registered: 2/22/06

Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

Chicago Bob

>All:

My wife found a plane for me at a flee market in the burbs of Chicago today with the following information:

Blade stamped:

L. Bailey�s

Patent

Dec. 24, 1867

Body of plane:

Pat�d

March 25-02

Aug 19-02

Bailey 4�

Plane has corrugated bottom. Tote looks to have been cracked and reglued with what appears to be hide glue.

In decent condition. Looks like someone tried to touch-up the japanning here and there. She paid $10, which I thought was a good price. Tried to find out more info in my reference books, particularly Hack�s book on hand planes and really didn�t find much.

What can you tell me about this plane, particularly should I be excited about this find? How well do the Patent dates correspond to actual manufacturing date - can anyone help me date this plane & blade?

I am a relative new hand tool collector and appreciate your help. I plan on tuning this plane into a useable condition.

Thanks,

Chicago Bob

- - -

AKA Bob Haines. Now age 59 and recently retired due to back/leg problems. Semi-advanced woodworker/hobbist and producer of fine saw dust, but less now that I have a decent dust collection system. In past lives was a chemist (semiconductors, PCBs), lab manager, environmentalist and executive in the chemical and electronics industries. Last hitch was in nanotechnologies, which brought me to Chicago. Live in the SW Chicago burbs but retirng to the East TN mountains, hopefully by the summer of 2010 where I will hopefully build my #6 and last workshop!! Huge TN Vols fan - I bleed orange. Daughter is chemical engineering major at UT. My wife teaches first grade reading and helps me look for old handtools on weekends. Love Jesus, my family, Tennessee, exotic woods and hand tools in that order. Have very much enjoyed Wood Central for at least 5 years.

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/6/06, 4:24 AM #2

Dan Donaldson
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info *LINK*

Dan Donaldson

>This link might give you a better idea what you have.

Stanley type study

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/6/06, 4:27 AM #3

Dave Thompson
Guest

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

Dave Thompson

>$10 for a Stanley 4 1/2 sounds pretty good to me.

Here are some old reference I have saved for typing a Stanley:

enjoy,

Dave

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/6/06, 10:59 AM #4

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
Guest

Re: type 9 or 10

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>The number 4-1/2 is the best smoother that Stanley made in their regular Bailey style planes, so it is in relatively high demand. The blade in that plane is not the original blade, so other parts may have been switched as well. I say this because the logo you mention on the blade was only used for the early years that Stanley made planes, and the patent dates cast into the body are from a type 9 or 10 plane. Still, even $10 for just a body is a good buy for that plane. My suggestion would be to buy a Hock blade, and enjoy your plane.

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/6/06, 1:19 PM #5

WoodburnBob
Member
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532 posts

Registered: 4/29/04

Nice! Reward her strongly.

woodburnbob

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/7/06, 6:19 AM #6

rarebear
Guest

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info *LINK*

rarebear

>If it has a frog adjuster srews below the brass adjuster it is a Type 10 if no adjuster a Type 9 and worth a little less but use as good a user plane..

4 1/2s in good condition can go for about $100 in VG condition and $50-$60 in fair so you did well..

I have a type study page at my website

My Site

Re: Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

8/7/06, 5:09 PM #7

Chicago Bob
Member
Offline
138 posts

Registered: 2/22/06

Thanks for all of your help!

Chicago Bob

- - -

AKA Bob Haines. Now age 59 and recently retired due to back/leg problems. Semi-advanced woodworker/hobbist and producer of fine saw dust, but less now that I have a decent dust collection system. In past lives was a chemist (semiconductors, PCBs), lab manager, environmentalist and executive in the chemical and electronics industries. Last hitch was in nanotechnologies, which brought me to Chicago. Live in the SW Chicago burbs but retirng to the East TN mountains, hopefully by the summer of 2010 where I will hopefully build my #6 and last workshop!! Huge TN Vols fan - I bleed orange. Daughter is chemical engineering major at UT. My wife teaches first grade reading and helps me look for old handtools on weekends. Love Jesus, my family, Tennessee, exotic woods and hand tools in that order. Have very much enjoyed Wood Central for at least 5 years.

Bailey 4 1/2 Plane - Need More Info

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