Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Is $25 high for a Stanley 78, in so-so shape?
Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA
>I saw one at an antiques dealer the other day. It was a bit rusty, had the nicker, but was missing the blade. The other parts seemed to be there, but I've heard some parts are often missing, which many people don't know are supposed to be there. $25 just seemed a little high, given it's condition, so I passed on by, but then I thought I'd check, in case it's a good deal and I should go back.
Re: Is $25 high for a Stanley 78, in so-so shape?
VTAndy4
>Not sure if this is helpful info, but here goes: I bought my 78 from a tool dealer, and it was in good shape for using, with all parts intact: $35.
-Andy
15 parts
jim reed @ tallahassee
>a late model #78 has 15 parts by my count. Subtract two if it is early and has no blade adjuster and screw. Planes with ALL parts are not that common. If this one is missing a blade, it may be missing other parts as well. This is one plane that does not function well unless everyone is present and accounted for.
Re: Is $25 high for a Stanley 78, in so-so shape?
Ernie Miller
>If it has all the parts you could allways sell the parts the fence and rod can go for $35 and the depth stop and screw is another $20 Jimwill sell you a blade I think if not I may have one in the parts been but I may have given it away allready I would have to look for sure
Bad deal
Frank D. in Montreal
>You can get one in very good shape or better on Ebay for less than $30 (with no missing parts).
Concur
Bill Houghton, foggy mornings in Sebastopol, CA
>There are a bunch listed all the time, brand new in the box, for about the same price. These will be English-built, and people say nasty things about the later English Stanleys - but my Barbie paint factory No. 78 (so called because of all the pink paint splatters on it) is English-built, and it's a lovely little tool, except for the cutter, which came very rough and soft. But you'd be better off, I think, to buy one complete and have to work on or even replace the cutter than to buy one that's incomplete or in so-so condition.
Do any of the aftermarket iron makers make one for the 78? This is, in my opinion, an under-respected tool. It ain't fancy, but it do work.
Blades
jim reed @ tallahassee
>Never made a 78 blade because they are so common. Now I need to make one and try it out. I agree that the #78 is an often overlooked tool. It really works well and is much less fussy than its #45 cousin.
Thanks for all the replies ...
Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA
>I think I'll keep shopping around. I do need to update my collection to include rabbet and dadoe planes. So, I have something to look for at the rust dealers.
Re: Thanks for all the replies ...
Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI
>Stephen, I think I might have met you in PA at Bill Grumbine's place but don't remember for sure <:( Are you looking for a #78 with a fence or is the fence not necessary for your purposes? Are you willing to clean some rust off of one, or do want one that is pretty clean?
Re: Thanks for all the replies ...
Stephen Kirk in Quakertown PA
>I didn't make Bill's party, but I wanted to. I'm in the market for whatever kinds of planes I happen to find as I look around. I would like to add the rabbet, dadoe and shoulder planes to my arsenal, so I keep an eye out for them as I wander flea markets and such.
But, what have you got? I don't mind a little rust cleaning, as long as everything is in pretty good working order.