bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 So I decided to buy some old stanley bailey planes off eBay, I bought a no 3 to restore and then bought what I thought was a no 5 but realized it was a 5 1/4. Not knowing the difference, I cancelled the order and bought a no 5. Did I make a good choice as I am new to woodworking. What is the difference in these two planes? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 "#5 1/4 Jack plane, 11 1/2"L, 1 3/4"W, 3 3/4lbs, 1921-1983. This is a smaller jack plane designed for manual training in school. It is often called the "junior jack plane". Nevertheless, it's still a very useful plane for us adults (and those who pretend to be). The planes eventually found favor by others, and it became rather popular, as indicated by its offering into the 1980's. The models made during the 1920's are more difficult to find than the later examples. These planes are often found in a condition that looks as if they were on the wrong end of a bar room brawl. The punks of America, serving time during their plane tutelage, did their very best to make the planes scream UNCLE! Such mistreatment shouldn't happen to a dog." http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan1.htm#num5.25 As a beginner (or anyone else starting to build a collection) you would be better off buying a regular #5. IMO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 Thanks for the reply so it just a little shorter and narrower than a regular no 5. From what I could tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dknapp34 Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 I Agree with Eric. I suppose there could be some uses for a slightly smaller #5, but I've never once thought to myself while using my #5, "gee, I wish this was just a little bit smaller..." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 That what I figured, I'm hoping to find a decent no 4 as well, my grandpa gave me and old Stanley block plane that I plan on fixing up as well, I guess I should look for a no 7 as well? From what i read on here, most people seem to have a no 4 for smoothing, a no 5 for flattening and a no 7 for jointing or flattening really big boards, also a block plane for little tasks like flushing edge banding or rounding corners. Am I in the ballpark with this thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekcohen Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 The #5 1/4 was known as a Junior Jack. It was used in schools. Basically, it was an elongated #3. Derelict #5 1/4 are useful as a scrub plane (similar length to the Stanley scrub but a little wider). You are better off with a #5, which is a truer all rounder. Regards from Perth Derek 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 I think the ideal starter set of planes for someone who will be using both power tools and hand tools is a #4, #5, #7, and a block plane. That will cover all of your bases until you wanna get into more specific planes like joinery planes, or if you want to mill stock by hand (because you've lost your mind) a scrub plane, or if you want a dedicated shooting plane, maybe a LAJ or a true shooter like the Veritas. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 thanks for the help Im going to find a no 4 that I can tune up and look for a no 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 What'd you pay for it? I don't need to know but ask yourself that question. I'll buy a $20 5 1/4 and use the heck out of it. I won't buy for more than $20. If you don't intend to prepare stock by hand, skipping a 5 is not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 I paid right at 100 for the 3 and 5 with shipping, both are in pretty good shape, just a little paint touch up and sharpening. I ended up canceling the 5 1/4, it was 40 bucks and in a little worse shape then the other ones I bought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 IMO a #4 and a block plane are must haves for every woodworker. The rest of the planes, you should get them when you actually need them for a given project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 I've been keeping my eye on eBay and Craigslist for a no 4 that's in decent shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 The #4 Record I did the rehab on in my video on my Shop Update thread was bought at a yard sale for $5. There are deals out there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted September 19, 2016 Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 Are you building anything right now? Do you have a shop? Do you have some basic machines? Table saw, Jointer, Band saw, Drill press, work bench that's stable Planer and the list goes on. Buy the tools that you need to do basic woodwork, then buy tools as the need arises. Having a small collection of planes is nice, but if you have no place to use them, then why? Get basic first, then add as needed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2016 I have all the basics, drills, Circ saw, smaller older model craftsman table saw, sliding compound miter saw, no router yet, I have a massive tool box filled with all the mechanic tools you could need, I was a refrigeration mechanic for a while (don't know how useful they will be for woodworking) I'm currently working out of the mechanic shop we have on the farm, have a very sturdy work bench that my grandpa built out of oak in the 60s, it's not a permanent solution, but until I get my shop built in a few months then I have no room for the bigger tools. Just trying to get my feet wet in finer work. I have made a few projects already that really got me wanting to do more. Very simple stuff like a computer desk and a matching bed made out of box store pine and held together with pocket screws and glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 BBJ, welcome to the forum. Would like to see the work bench your grandpa built. I have friends from Church Point and Frog City and they take their tools pretty serious! Is there an x in your last name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harvey Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 I have a 5 1/4, use it quite a bit. It's a little easier to handle than a full size 5. Uses the same blade as a 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbuttjoints Posted September 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 10 minutes ago, K Cooper said: BBJ, welcome to the forum. Would like to see the work bench your grandpa built. I have friends from Church Point and Frog City and they take their tools pretty serious! Is there an x in your last name? It's by no means a robou or anything just a really sturdy work bench that spans one wall of the shop, has 6x6 legs and true 2x6 butted together to form the top with a regular vice on one end. I don't have an x in my last name lol, my grandpa is of Irish heritage and my grandma is Cajun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Kuehl Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Have any of you ever converted a #5 1/4 into a scrub plane? I've seen the Wood Wright episode where Chris S. put the heavy camber on the #5 and used it like a scrub plane....seems to me like a fellow could do the same with the more narrow cutter on the #5 1/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjk Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 I converted a #5 into a scrub plane - works great. I'd imagine with a narrower blade you could do a deeper cut and remove more at a stroke, with the tradeoff being you'd have to take more strokes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 I've got a Dunlap #4 size that I use as a scrub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4square Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 I bought a Stanley 5 1/4 for cheap $ on EBay a couple of years ago and restored it to near new condition. Gave it to my daughter (she's 38 Y/O) for Christmas. It was the first hand plane that she could call her very own. She now has 4 hand planes. An old Stanley 220 block plane. A Stanley #4 smoother and a Veritas L/A smoother. The 5 1/4 is still her go to plane. (I know this because I have to sharpen her irons for her "LOL") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 6 hours ago, 4square said: I bought a Stanley 5 1/4 for cheap $ on EBay a couple of years ago and restored it to near new condition. Gave it to my daughter (she's 38 Y/O) for Christmas. It was the first hand plane that she could call her very own. She now has 4 hand planes. An old Stanley 220 block plane. A Stanley #4 smoother and a Veritas L/A smoother. The 5 1/4 is still her go to plane. (I know this because I have to sharpen her irons for her "LOL") Sounds like it's time for a Horsebutt christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.