I was also hoping he would just tell me to keep it...didn't happen...

nice work Nick...
so make this a non-issue w/ your friend...
kill him....

 

Nice job Nick. I saw one once for $110 but I wasn't familiar enough with them to know if it was complete and I don't remember if there were any cutters. I saw another once for $250 that was in very good shape and had lots of cutters, some looked unused in the original boxes. But if you have a router and a good collection of bits then a 55 or 45 is mostly a collectible. Having said that I have a Stanley 71 router plane with a few different cutters that is in beautiful shape and I do find it handy at times.

 

Oooo, if you had asked he might have given it to you. Should have asked before you cleaned it. Ask anyway, and if he doesn't give it to you, then listen to Stick.

 

Thanks, Charles...if you want to read an "unbiased" view of the 55, CLICK HERE...

Yes...depending on the project "handy at times" can be a lifesaver...

 

Thanks, Stick and Theo...but can you see me crawling down the sidewalk in my camo's...

 

Not Worth the Pain


Can the knees still take the punishment?!

 

Theo...he knows I want it...told him I'd buy it when he's ready to sell... It's not a must but I would love to have it...if for no other reason but to share some small part of the history of woodworking with others when they see it in my shop...

 

That's a heck of a tool. Nice job reworking it, and I bet it was fun testing it out. Of all woodworking, I enjoy using a hand plane best of all. Shiiiiish sound satisfies souls.

 

Nice job Nick. I have a Record 405 which is similar, probably a step below the Stanley 55. I'm ashamed to admit I've used it maybe twice and only with the straight cutters. Those profiled ones are a pain to sharpen.

 

My veneer guy has one sitting up on a shelf, near pristine condition!!!! Once he found I had more interest in it than he does, I guess he decided to have some fun. Now when I go in for sumptin...that darn 55 comes down. Like the carrot and the horse...We've had quite a few good laughs over the past few years over that thing

Nicely done Nick!! I do hope you are now first in line..

 

Very nicely done Nick.

 

A few years back a coworker gave me one! it needed to be cleaned up. I did some research, also. I offered to buy it. He said I could have it. It was his wife's Grandfathers plane. They asked if any of the family wanted it. No one did. He was stuck with it. He was not into woodworking, and knew that I was. I could not thank him enough. I have used it a few times. It works well for small jobs.

Nice work on the restoration, Nick. Thanks for sharing.

Ellery Becnel

 

Nick
Thanks for the post. First time I saw one, even at my age. . . Very interesting, as Spock would say.

 

Nick,
Same here :surprise:

 

Thank you all for your encouraging comments...

The best and most fun part of the cleaning was the research into the history of the tool, different reactions on the Internet and a deeper appreciation of those who use tools like this on a daily basis.

I urge anybody who hits garage sales and finds some rusty piece of "ole arn" laying around...grab it and have some fun cleaning it...even if you're not going to use it...

 

but did you resolve the ''possession'' issue yet???

 

That's so nice that if I had it, I would probably frame it and hang it on the wall.

 

Just fill out a fake police report - break and enter - only thing taken was the plane, sorry.