Not so plane sailing ...

[Student]

My BiL is in the last stages of restoring his dad’s old plane to working order. It’s a Stanley Bailey 4½ that probably dates back to the late 1940s or early 50s. He’s stripped it down and fettled it but has a problem in that the handle which is held onto the sole with two bolts, a long one at the back and a short one at the front, has the front bolt missing. He asked me if I knew anyone who could tell him how he could get hold of a replacement bolt bearing in mind that it’s imperial and possibly an archaic thread e.g. Whitworth.

I’m sure someone on this forum can enlighten me as to the type of bolt. Can they also tell me where to find one (the option of trying to find a similar plane at a car boot sale just for the bolt is a non-starter!)?

P.S. Before anyone mentions it, I’ve already told him that the plane probably does not have any monetary value, which he knows, but it has a great deal of sentimental value.

 

[bugbear]

Here's some information to better define (but not solve) the problem;

http://www.woodworkinfo.site88.net/tour ... ey_threads

BugBear

 

[D_W]

Those screws are easy to find on junk planes. Someone may send you one, but if not, you can spend 10 dollars to get a broken plane that has the front screw on it and rob the screw from the plane (and take anything else useful (a knob, rods, screws from the frog, etc) that may be useful later on.

 

[RogerP]

There's several on eBay. Here's one - but at a price!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stanley-B...e-Toe-Screw-/261776713272?hash=item3cf31ba638

 

[Mike.S]

I only have 5 Stanley 4 1/2s :shock: , two of which have cracked soles and I keep intending to break-up and sell parts off. However, everything's in a mess as I'm packing up to move home and (blah, blah.....). If no one steps up with a replacement screw in the meantime then give me a week or two or so and I'll dig them out and post the parts on the 'For Sale section.

Feel free to PM a reminder in case of need!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

PM me your address. I found one on the floor of my garage - I thought that was what it was, and I've just checked it. It might not be a Stanley as the head is very slightly smaller, but it fits. You're welcome to it, I'll bung it in the post.

 

[DTR]

an archaic thread e.g. Whitworth.

(hammer)

 

[Student]

Thanks Phil, much appreciated.

PM sent.

 

[Student]

Just an update and to thank phil.p. He sent me the relevant screw which my BiL has fitted and he is now one happy bunny.
Once again, UKW has come up trumps.

 

[JonnyW]

Well I learned from this post via google, that BiL stands for brother-in-law (doesn't it?)

I'm glad you found your screw. You may want to go onto http://www.hansbrunnertools.com

A brilliant site for dating old planes - usually done via the cap or below the frog on the body casting. It may be older than you think

Regards

Jonny