Stanley 51&52 Shooting Board

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I have a Stanley Chuting Board, #51 and #52, I am pretty sure it is complete bar the small clamp that always goes missing, the one that holds the piece of work down. I know it won't make any difference to the collector, but for people like me who want to use the tool I am going to make a small replacement clamp.

I was wondering if these clamps ever come up for sale?

How much is this tool worth as I know they are rare and collectable, in the condition I described above?

Cheers and look forward to your replys

Dave

P.S... Being a metal worker and not a wood worker, can someone explain what these planes are used for?

 

[DaveL]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the forum.

I have no idea about how easy or otherwise getting the clamp well be, or for that matter how much the tools are worth, but you have a much prized item.

Woodworkers call it a shooting board, its used to trim the ends of timber to an exact angle, most often 90°.

Any chance of you posting a picture of the board and plane? :^o

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Cheers for the info, didn't realise it was "shooting board"!

I will try to get a picture taken tomorow and then post it tomorow evening.

So you plane the end grain etc? Sorry but I work with metal and cars, not wood, but would like to have a dabble at woodturning sometime!

Cheers

Dave

 

[Joel Moskowitz]

Call CLarance Blanchard at the fine tool journal. He has repro clamps. However I got one and so far have never bothered to install it. I did add a sacrafiacl wood backing board to the fence so that I won't tear out when I shoot stuff but I just havn't found the need for the clamp.

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Joel

I spoke with Clarence. He is out of the hold downs. As you know I am also looking for one, principally for completion. I really don't see the need to use one. In fact I feel it will get in the way, if my experience of shooting boards is anything to go by.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

but would like to have a dabble at woodturning sometime!

Assuming the #51#52 is in even reasonable condition, you could sell the pair and buy a pretty good lathe.

Although (frankly) I'd try and borrow a lathe or go to an evening class first; the world is full of little used lathes, bought with enthusiasm...

BugBear

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Interesting, will have to think about it!

UI supose most people must feel that the clamp gets in the way, hence them all being removed and lost! Probably completion of the item is the reason for having the clamp for some people!

I rescued my stanley shooting board from a garage sale recently, if no one bought it it was going to be scrapped probably! How much are they worth then? I am sure I got a bargain but how much of a bargain would be interesting to find out!

Cheers

Dave

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Not great photos, but were taken on my phone!

Cheers

Dave

 

[George_N]

Hi Buzzy Bee,
if you haven't already seen it have a look here for some good info on the #51/#52 combo.

 

[bugbear]

I rescued my stanley shooting board from a garage sale recently, if no one bought it it was going to be scrapped probably! How much are they worth then?

Around 300-500 quid. More if in VERY good nick.

But, yeah, multiple hundreds.

And, yeah, thou sucketh.

BugBear

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

I am sure I got a bargain but how much of a bargain would be interesting to find out!

Dave

You want to know how much of a bargain?

If you have to ask this question, then you will probably not appreciate the bargain you have got.

The reason why so few have responded here is that so few have seen a #51/52 in the flesh, yet every person on this forum covets one intensely. Not only are they rare ... very rare ... but they cost a great deal. A LOT more than the 25 quid or so that you paid. Try multiplying this by 20-40 times that!!!

I think that there are those here that are in a state of shock. Not just that you paid so little ... at a garage sale! ... but that you do not even know what it does. I do not mean to sound rude. I am just flabbergasted!

I am very fortunate. I bought a #51/52 a few weeks ago. I've been looking for some years. Mine needs restoration. I don't care about that. It will work again, and I will use it often. You are a metal worker, not a woodworker. I really believe that you should sell yours to someone who will appreciate it. Use the money to buy a lathe or whatever, something that has importance for you.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Alf]

...every person on this forum covets one intensely.

Please, sir - I don't. Last thing I need in my workshop is an easily damagable shooting board. I'll stick with wood. :wink:

Not only are they rare ... very rare ...

Ooo, "very" rare? Not really very. In Mint condition, well yeah, I imagine so, but they do appear fairly regularly. Falconer plough planes, now they're very rare...

Welcome to the forum, Dave; figure you've already had any info I could offer via the good citizens of the Ubeaut forum.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Dave

Reading through my earlier post I think it comes across more strongly than I intended. I apologise for that. I note (from your first post) that you do intend to use the #51/52. Good for you. If this is what it takes to get you into woodworking, then I cannot think of a better introduction. Still, I meant what I said about you not being able to appreciate what you have yet. But no doubt you will, and when that time comes, you shall experience the high that comes from knowing what a special find you made. All the best.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[bugbear]

...every person on this forum covets one intensely.

Please, sir - I don't. Last thing I need in my workshop is an easily damagable shooting board. I'll stick with wood. :wink:

Just add philly's skew plane, and you're good to go.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... p?p=132511

BugBear (leaving the other horse alone)

 

[Paul Chapman]

Looking at the photographs of the Stanley #51/52, it would appear that it can only be used "right-handed", if you see what I mean. Is that correct? With a home-made shooting board, they are often made so that the plane can be used on its right side or its left side, which would appear to make the home-made variety more useful.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Alf]

Yeah, it all gets a bit specialist if you want a left-handed one. :shock:

Still reckon there might be a market for a DIY shooting board quadrant-style fence for some enterprising manufacturer, even if making the whole shebang is financially a non-starter.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Paul Chapman]

Thanks for that, Alf. I think I'll stick to making mine from MDF and wood - far simpler :wink:

Cheers,

Paul

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I collect old tools, but use them, I am wanting to get into ash framing on vintage cars, so this plane may come in handy, though it may not and like you say, someone else may find more pleasure using the item. I will make my mind up though.

Thanks to everyone who replied!

I actually paid £50 for the plane, not knowing what it was, having never seen one before I had little idea what I had bought, but just thought it was so interesting!

Cheers, and apologise for being a little dumb as far as woodworking tools go!

Dave

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Are the blades on the plane the same as other planes, as mine is quite short?

Cheers

Dave

I am also looking for the clamp, to hold the work down on the #52 stanley? I was wondering if anyone has a decent picture of the clamp, so that I can get one made, are they cast or milled?

 

[bugbear]

Looking at the photographs of the Stanley #51/52, it would appear that it can only be used "right-handed", if you see what I mean. Is that correct?

Where a tool is "handed", I don't think I've ever seen a factory made instance that wasn't right handed.

Presumably the caggy-hander apprentices were simply beaten until they learnt to use right handed tools.

BugBear