Given to me as a gift . A Stanley No 4

[Lons]

My friend (from the OOPs thread) called this morning to give me his dad's plane. Box and literature unmarked and I recon his dad only tried the plane once, couldn't use it because the blade is wound out too far and put away again. It has wood handles but alloy fittings.

 

[Woodbloke]

I think AndyT would be the bloke to give you chapter n'verse on that one Bob - Rob

 

[Cabinetman]

Looks good to me, I bought a more recently made one with plastic handles when I was setting up over here and despite what everyone says about modern Stanley planes it hardly took any setting up at all and is perfectly good to use.
Ian

 

[AndyT]

I agree with Ian.

I think that the packaging probably puts it in the late 1950s or 1960s. Boxes with a label on the end made perfect sense in proper old ironmogers where a gentleman in a brown shop coat would find what you wanted on a shelf or in a pigeonhole and pass it down to you.

In the 70s there was a general shift to display packaging that tried to explain the contents to the potential purchaser.

It wasn't until the 90s that Stanley stopped making good reliable tools like the number 4.

Maybe some of the disparaging comments are really about the cheaper ranges they brought in for the DIY market, generally marked "Handyman", and misguided models such as those with replaceable cutters, or twin-screw spokeshave style irons. This isn't one of them!

 

[Steve Maskery]

That looks pristine, nice.
TBH I've never really got on with a No4. I grew up with my dad's No5 and still have it. It's my go-to plane. But I recognise that the No4 is the standard workhorse, especially for beginners. I hardly ever pick mine up.
S

 

[Lons]

Thanks Andy that would tie in with what I know about my friend. They have no children so was very pleased to offer it to me.

It make me think of Ronnie Barker and Open all hours.

 

[Lons]

My go to these days Steve is a Quansheng 5 1/2 but I use most of the planes I have at one time or another so they don't feel left out. I bought a Stanley 4 when I was 12, saved from paper round earnings and still have it.

 

[Lurker]

Lons, I’m reaching out to you to ask that you do not to use the word “gifted “ going forward.

 

[Mike G]

That looks pristine, nice.
TBH I've never really got on with a No4. I grew up with my dad's No5 and still have it. It's my go-to plane. But I recognise that the No4 is the standard workhorse, especially for beginners. I hardly ever pick mine up.
S

Interesting.
A number 4 is my final finish smoother, used after I've used everything else, and prior to a card scraper. I have one always set finely, with a close-set cap iron, so it can finish anything in any grain direction.

I also have a No. 4 Handyman (with replacement handle) very coarsely set which is usually used for chamfering. I wouldn't describe either as a workhorse, because like you, a number 5 or 6 does most of my planing, with a number 7 for longer bits of wood, but I wouldn't be without a number 4.

 

[Mike G]

Lons, I’m reaching out to you to ask that you do not to use the word “gifted “ going forward.

......."reaching out"........."going forward"..........

Settle, Carruthers. Settle. It's called irony.

 

[Lons]

Lons, I’m reaching out to you to ask that you do not to use the word “gifted “ going forward.

Hey, If I'm common enough to have knock off gout instead of the proper stuff I should be able to use the wrong words. But I won't in future.

I growed up on a cooncil estate ye kna. Nee Oxcam univorsity for me.

I've edited the title especially for you, (no Kylie jokes please). I wouldn't do it for everyone.

 

[Doug]

As Bob would have said, that will make a good door stop

 

[Lons]

Sacrilege. Wash your mouth out with soap and water sir.

 

[Woodbloke]

As Bob would have said, that will make a good door stop

If you ever had the good fortune to go into the late Bob9f's workshop, the door was actually propped open with a No.4 - Rob

 

[Lons]

If you ever had the good fortuned to go into the late Bob9f's workshop, the door was actually propped open with a No.4 - Rob

I remember Rob it was mentioned numerous times and I think a 'photo appeared once. He's sorely missed.

 

[Woodbloke]

I remember Rob it was mentioned numerous times and I think a 'photo appeared once. He's sorely missed.

Agreed Bob, he was one of the best and would always go far beyond what was necessary to help out a friend. I've forgotten the number of times he was here in my 'shop in Wilton and invariably turned up with a home made chocolate cake (which he'd baked); we always had a slice or three with a mug of proper, strong Gaggia coffee and had a good old natter. Much missed - Rob

 

[AndyP]

He shared that chocolate cake recipe with my daughter on one our visits to Romsey. When she bakes it here she stills calls it Bob’s Chocolate Cake.