first look at a stanley No1

[wallace]

I went to a little antique and collectors fair yesterday and theirs a tool guy who is always their, he has some very nice stuff at some good prices. I always like to just have a rut around and drool over the planes. He had a No1 which is the first I have seen in the flesh. There tiny. A snip at £750. He also had a plane which was of a similar look but from a different company, he said Stanley took them over in the 20's. I was tempted but not at £4500 :shock:

 

[Harbo]

LN used to do one in bronze for about £140 - couldn't bring myself to buy one though.

Rod

 

[Eric The Viking]

OK, a little late, but I'll bite:

What was the #1 actually for (if you can achieve the same results with a bevel-up block plane)?

I can see lots of drawbacks to a Bailey-pattern plane that size, like not being able to get into returning corners or close to mouldings, etc., and few advantages. Were they mainly a promotional item?

Be kind - I'm ignorant but keen to learn!

 

[Harbo]

I think Dodge got one for his young son so suitable for small hands?

According to the salesman, when I was shown the LN one, most people bought them for display though they are fully functional.
I suppose Stanley brought them out originally to "complete their range" - but I'm guessing?

Rod

 

[ColeyS1]

I thought they brought it out for salesmen to carry around in there pocket. Then they started getting interest in the demonstration one

 

[bugbear]

I know a guy who bought one for his (very young) son.

Lucky son!

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

Patrick Leach sells a Bedrock version of the No 1 - thus completing another gap Stanley left in their range. Here's a link as a reminder that there is more to his site than just the numerical 'blood and gore' survey:

http://www.supertool.com/601.htm

He also offers a list of uses, but I think that is probably an attempt to copy the style of the old Stanley adverts (claiming that the #55 is "a planing mill in itself" etc) and not meant 100% seriously.

 

[MIGNAL]

=; =;

 

[wallace]

I should of maybe took a photo of the one similar to the No1. The guy said there were only sixty world wide. He said he was friends with the guy who did the blood and gore site. I think his business was called 'tools n stuff'. I will have to save some pocket money up ready for the next time he's up north