Howdy Folks. Stopped by a local flea market the other day and picked up what I believe is a Stanley No 4 type 5 smoother. Being relatively new to hand planes, I thought I better ask before I start messing around with it too much. I've fixed up a few old defiance's planes and other Stanley, but never have had anything this early. What do No 4 (assuming that is what it is, based on measurements….no numbers on casting of any kind) type 5's usually go for? Over all condition is what I would call fair - The mushroom shaped knob is chipped around the base, but the iron and chipbreaker are both good. Tote has been repaired at one point, and the Y Adusting lever is forced out of position onto the adjusting nut (you can probably see that on the photos). Sole is in okay shape - there is a small hair line crack on one edge of the mouth, looks like about a 2mm chip might come out if I flatten the sole. Cap Iron does have a chip in it.
Photos are pre-any sort of cleaning - pretty dirty and dingy.
Thoughts? Should I throw a new Lie Nielsen or Veritas Iron in it and use it, or is it worth more to sell it and buy a later model?
Photos are pre-any sort of cleaning - pretty dirty and dingy.
Thoughts? Should I throw a new Lie Nielsen or Veritas Iron in it and use it, or is it worth more to sell it and buy a later model?