Bailey 5 1/2 plane

[TB Roye]

Went to an Estate Sale with LOML this afternoon. Picked some old tools. A electic drill with a metals case and circular saw with a metal case both work old Sears from back in the day before OSHA. Also picked up Bailey 5 1/2 plane. It is complete and does make shavings, needs to be sharpend and cleaned up, no rust just kind of a greasy dust on it. The only damage I found was on the rear handle looks like he got to close to spinning blade of some type. I am wondering if this this is worth any thing and how do you go about cleaning it up. I don't want to mess it up. I will have to do a little research on here as I know there are some plane buffs and some insturtion on how to restore it. The man died a number of years ago and his wife just recently. Have no Idea how old this plane is. Sorry I can't post pictures for some reason and I can't delete the thread. Will find the other camera and try again found the old digital camera got some pictures in bad light and focus

Tom

[phrog]

Try http://www.rexmill.com for a reference. Also a lot of info about Stanley planes by Patrick Leach if you Google Patrick's Blood and Gore.

To clean a plane, I just use a cloth with a little oil. Tune ups are explained in the first reference.

[jackellis]

Tom, I bought and refurbed a bunch of hand planes 3 years ago. To deal with rust, I soaked the metal parts in household vinegar, rinsed, dried and applied paste wax.

I'm using a Bailey#6, a Millers Falls jack plane and a Sargent smoother that I put through his process to flatten a large walnut board so I can turn it into a couple of 2x4s for leaning shelves.

[LinuxRandal]

From the picture, it appears to be broken on one side. The sides should match (that hill looking area), but this may still clean up to be a decent user.

[TB Roye]

Yep it is broken on one side. I have disassembled it. It is filthy. what I did find on the sole plate casting was PAT'D Aug 19-02 and Mar 25-02 two of the other pieces has 2 1/4 and 5 1/2 stamped on them. the rear handle is 3 pieces of wood, The adjusting knob doesn't look like brass but won't know untill I get the crud off the the main casting is black, paint or something. I don't know the names of all the parts but will post some more pictures when I get it cleaned up a little. Plan now is to clean and restore it as much as possible get it sharpend and adjuted and use it. Can't be a true woodworker without a plane according to my BIL. Only paid $15 for it and it is uasable so don't feel bad. LOML just told me I found another hole to throw money into, now she says I will have planes on shelves in my shop and will have to build a larger shop. Not a bad Idea I said, tempture changed from 78 to 0 in one second. I have no plans on starting another pasion. I just would like to learn how to luse one.

Tom

[Pappy]

Not enough showing to get a good date on it but the lack of ribs on the toe and heel, along with the small adjusting knob (It is brass), make it an early production. The value as anything but a user is low because of the broken sholder. On the plus side, if you want to replace the tote one off any #5 will fit.

The number of patent dates, size of the adjusting knob, presence or lack of a frog adjusting screw will all aid in dating it.

[TB Roye]

Don

Phrog gave me a link to a site about planes. I was able to find my plane. It is a Type 9 from 1902-1907, so my plan is the clean it and restore it the best I can then learn how to use it.

My story will be the side was broken off during WWI and saved the person's life by deflecting the bullet. The guy built shelters in trenches that's why he had plane in his pack. Didn't cost me that much so I can have a little fun and eduction. It did make some curls when I tried it out before disassembling it.

Tom

[Knottscott]

Nice find Tom. I'd concur that it's a Type 9. Pretty old, but should clean up nicely. It's always a matter of personal preference, but my Record 05-1/2 is a great size that I reach for a lot. Please take some "after" pics!

[phrog]

Don



My story will the side was broken off during WWI and save the person's life by deflecting the bullet. The guy built shelter in trenches that's why he had plane in his pack.

Tom

Wow! What a plane! Almost gave its life but can still be used. Love the story.

[pelligrini]

Only paid $15 for it and it is uasable so don't feel bad. LOML just told me I found another hole to throw money into, now she says I will have planes on shelves in my shop and will have to build a larger shop. Not a bad Idea I said, tempture changed from 78 to 0 in one second. I have no plans on starting another pasion. I just would like to learn how to luse one.

I think your wife knows better. With your purchase you just stepped onto a slippery slope. It'll get steeper and slicker once you clean that one up and get it to work smoothly. Then you'll probably want a smoother, then and a couple block planes, then a jointer, then maybe a fore plane, might as well fill in the rest of the gaps in the collection, then a couple shoulder planes, then a router plane. Don't forget about spokeshaves and plow planes.