what do you think of the quality of new Stanley tools?

[Matt@]

the reason I ask is that I bought a new stanley adjustable shoulder plane about 6 yrs ago and it was unusable due to the blade chattering as a result of the back iron or cap iron not sitting tight at the front of the blade. I did actually ring Stanley to complain and got a right snotty git on the other end who wasnt receptive at all and we're not talking spotty youths here - he sounded in his 60's. The adjustable block plane I now use (bought new 3 yrs ago) has this annoying habit whereby the clamp that works on a cam action to keep the blade secure keeps working loose at the slightest touch which is aright pain in the arse. All my other Stanely stuff is great and I remember being able to buy new Stanley hand tools 25 yrs ago knowing that although they were not the absoloute best, they were more than fit for purpose. So where didi it all go wrong for such a household name or have I just been unlucky :?:

oh yes and the fixed stanely knife casings keep spreading at the blade end which means you have to pack the blade out inside

 

[No skills]

Very hit and miss, mostly miss with the odd good item Whats even more annoying is there 'fat max' line for the trade, sposed to be better... nah... with the odd tape measure exception.

 

[jimi43]

There is no need at all with bootfairs and fleabay for anyone to suffer the new Stanley rubbish...Irwin...Record...all cheese.

Spend a couple of quid...get an old one or two...fettle it up and reap the benefits of when workmanship was good.

Jim

 

[Dangermouse]

Pre 1960 very very good, 1960 to 1970 good to fair, post 1970's rubbish on the whole. thats Stanley for you, Now out sourced to a little man in Outer Mongolia making planes out of Yak droppings.
Much prefer older Records, which apart from the early Stanleys pre 1930's are usually better. But that man in mongolia has now gotten the contract for Records too.

 

[Shrubby]

Haven't bought Stanley in a decade
Will never buy Irwin anything - a Newell-rubbermaid brand (look it up - Record,Nooitgedagt,vise grip etc allclosed.Offshored crap with huge marketing behind it)
Old tools or European and japanese companies for craftsman's tools at fair prices

Ranting Matt