Stanley No52 chute and plane

[toptech55]

I am looking to add a Stanley No52 chute board and plane to my small but growing tool collection and have found a good one in the David Stanley International Auction to be held on 28th March (LOT 6). I am advised that it is complete and undamaged with a sharpened iron. Is there a better alternative?

 

[adidat]

If that's really what you are after it could cost about 1200-1500 depending who else wants it. Unless your buying for the fact it's a old Stanley. I would considering either of the lie-Nielsen which is very similar or the veritas which will set you back about £500.

Then spend some time using the best materials to make a decent Shute board. This would be the best way for a solution that works well out of the box.

Adidat

 

[Cheshirechappie]

It depends what you mean by 'better', I think. As Adidat says, those Stanley chute boards and planes are rare, and consequently sought after by collectors.

For the practical lad wanting to true-up the ends of bits of wood for furniture projects and the like, a good, sharp bench plane and a simple home-made shooting board will get you there every time for a far smaller outlay. The secret is to keep the cutting iron sharp - sharp really does cure most problems. For larger workpieces, put the job in the vice and take the plane to it, and just like edge-planing, keep checking with square and straightedge.