For the hand plane experts - Stanley & Record Production Eras?

I’ve become slightly…obsessed with hand planes.

Excellent! We can dish over the ones we like the most :D

It’s a shame that we can’t see the blade on the Stanley as that would help date it. The balloon shaped knob (vs low knob) means we can rule out Stanley type 11 and earlier. There’s a raised ring underneath the front knob which means at least type 13, I believe. I’m thinking mid-to-late 30’s or early 40’s on the Stanley, but it’s from England, so I don’t know completely. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

I admit to being in the dark on Record planes.

-- Devin, SF, CA

You don’t come across many 4 1/4.

Draft type study for English made Stanley’s
https://www.timetestedtools.net/2016/02/20/stanley-english-type-study-draft/

Stanley planes weren’t produced in England until 1937. That 4-1/2 is a Type 3 made between 1945 and 1972. I have an early type 3 that still has “Stanley” stamped in the lateral lever and a cast iron + japanned y-lever. Both of your 4-1/2s look to be Type 3s but the shiny one possibly an earlier variant. Without all the parts its really hard to say for certain.

Type study for Record planes
https://recordhandplanes.com/dating.html

Judging by the lateral lever and frog design your Record plane was built between 1976 and 1988. I am by no means an expert on Record planes so take a look at the type study if you need more details.

I’ve become slightly…obsessed with hand planes.

Excellent! We can dish over the ones we like the most :D

It s a shame that we can t see the blade on the Stanley as that would help date it. The balloon shaped knob (vs low knob) means we can rule out Stanley type 11 and earlier. There s a raised ring underneath the front knob which means at least type 13, I believe. I m thinking mid-to-late 30 s or early 40 s on the Stanley, but it s from England, so I don t know completely. Sorry I can t be of more help.

I admit to being in the dark on Record planes.

- DevinT

Hi Devin – they’re just so…pretty. And useful!

Yes the rest of the plane would have been helpful. What you say about the Stanley is, give or take, what I guessed, mostly based on the shape of the knob. I’ll keep hunting on the Record.

-- Lynne, New Zealand - Crikey, Aussie is another country, Bro.

Draft type study for English made Stanley s
https://www.timetestedtools.net/2016/02/20/stanley-english-type-study-draft/

Stanley planes weren t produced in England until 1937. That 4-1/2 is a Type 3 made between 1945 and 1972. I have an early type 3 that still has “Stanley” stamped in the lateral lever and a cast iron + japanned y-lever. Both of your 4-1/2s look to be Type 3s but the shiny one possibly an earlier variant. Without all the parts its really hard to say for certain.

Type study for Record planes
https://recordhandplanes.com/dating.html

Judging by the lateral lever and frog design your Record plane was built between 1976 and 1988. I am by no means an expert on Record planes so take a look at the type study if you need more details.

- sansoo22

Hi Sansoo – thanks for the useful links. This is the first Record I’ve had a good look at up close. I have to say, it’s not a bad-looking plane. Looking forward to testing it out :)

-- Lynne, New Zealand - Crikey, Aussie is another country, Bro.

The Record planes have grown on me quite a bit. I find I really like the Royal blue, dark handles, and nickel plated lever cap combination. Unfortunately they are a bit tough to find in the states so I don’t own one.

I recently sold a later model Record 07 that appears to be about the same vintage. It was a fine user and I agree with Sansoo, the blue enamel and dark wood do make for an attractive plane. It should be a good plane for you. Just be sure the frog seats solidly on the base. For some reason they machined the pads on the frogs but then painted the mating surfaces on the plane. Can’t wrap my head around why they would do that but the paint buildup could cause some rocking of the frog when set into place before screwing it down.

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

Did you sell the Record because the blue was clashing with all the Miller Falls red?

Also I need to stop discussing Record planes or I will overspend on one just to never use it. All I want one for is the wall of smoothers collection.

Did you sell the Record because the blue was clashing with all the Miller Falls red?
...

- sansoo22

Basically, yes :-) I sold my last remaining Stanley so I was down to a single Record plane among all the Millers Falls. So when I found a MF in the same size, the Record had to go.

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

I recently sold a later model Record 07 that appears to be about the same vintage. It was a fine user and I agree with Sansoo, the blue enamel and dark wood do make for an attractive plane. It should be a good plane for you. Just be sure the frog seats solidly on the base. For some reason they machined the pads on the frogs but then painted the mating surfaces on the plane. Can t wrap my head around why they would do that but the paint buildup could cause some rocking of the frog when set into place before screwing it down.

- HokieKen

Hi HokieKen, thanks, that’s useful info to know. And I agree about the blue colour; looking forward to cleaning the handle and making it pop even a bit more.

-- Lynne, New Zealand - Crikey, Aussie is another country, Bro.

Polish that brass adjuster nut to within an inch of it’s life too. It looks really sharp against the blue enamel :-P

-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA

Polish that brass adjuster nut to within an inch of it s life too. It looks really sharp against the blue enamel :-P

- HokieKen

:D

-- Lynne, New Zealand - Crikey, Aussie is another country, Bro.