Stanley Defiance Plane...what've I got?

[Knottscott]

Got this at a garage sale today. It says "Stanley Defiance" on the handle, and "Made in the USA" on the body and blade. I'm guessing it's a #5 plane but I don't know this stuff very well...any info on it would be greatly appreciated.


TIA!

[Ken Massingale]

Google says the defiance line was the 'homeowner' level of Stanleys, Scott. There are a few discussions on various forums asking about Definace planes. That one looks like it's seen very little use. Nice find.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-33,GGLJ:en&q=%22defiance+by+stanley%22

[LinuxRandal]

That is either a #4 or #3 (I think a 4). I have a Defiance #5 that was my Grandfathers (what started me down the slope). It doesn't have all the adjustments of a Bailey or Bedrock (the better Stanley lines), and is generally considered a pass.

However I would use it to learn about sharpening, and later on possibly turn it into a scrub plane.

[cabinetman]

An interesting read about a little history Of the "Victor" and "Defiance" beginnings. The Defiance story appears at the second section of the page.

[Knottscott]

Thanks for the info gang...hopefully it was worth the $5 price tag...

[Uncle Cracker]

Five bucks??? Nice catch... BTW, you SUCK!

[Pappy]

Like LR said, it's either a #3 (8") or a #4 (9"). Either can be a good smoothing plane and there is no reason that the Defiance planes can't be tuned well. For $5 in that condition, it's a keeper.

[BrazosJake]

That's definitely a smoother. You can always spot a Bailey-style smoother because the tote projects from the heel. On Bailey #5s and larger, the heel of the sole extends past the tote.

[phrog]

Patrick's Blood and Gore

Google Patrick's Blood and Gore for a lot of info about Stanley planes including photos, history, dimensions, etc.
Richard