My daughter and son-in-law “inherited” a Stanley 50 when it was left in garage of the house they bought. Neither is into woodworking. I will have to see if I could refurbish it for them and, as their garage is quite full, offer to store it for them in my wood shop.
Guy at work was getting rid of a bunch of stuff from his MIL’s storage unit. I had asked for some deep-well sockets and went home with that, plus a mostly complete 45.
I swear… every time I see combination planes I think “wow, amazing. I want!”, then I see the cost of the bodies, all the cutters, etc., and I start looking at power routers… then I think of all the dust that’d create and get sad. THANKS A LOT JAMES
Yeah, my 55 has been sitting in the box (the original box) because I'm waiting for a time I have a month off just to clean it. Thanks for the history lesson. Very interesting. 🤙
At 2:53 I heard the audio from The Woodwright's shop episode where Roy Underhill and Christopher Schwartz were doing a 55 vs moulding and plough planes. LOL
...and to me, it's shocking how inexpensive these planes are. They're not just an old tool. They're part of history that won't last long. I believe that soon they'll be priceless.
I don't do any woodworking and barely have. Just watching someone talk passionately about things or an activity I remember as fun is entertaining. The most woodworking I've done was Slöjd in school, Sweden, or just working with raw logs in the scouts, RR.
I have three planes that accompany my power tool shop regularly--a shoulder, a router, and a #5. Occasionally I use my #7. I love watching your channel because one day I might get more!
I have a 45 and use it from time to time. However, more and more I am going to wooden plough/rabbet/molding planes. The Stanley 45/46/55 have utility but the wooden planes fell better in the hand, although they do take up more space.
Thank you, Mr. Wright! Very entertaining, to be taught about these planes. A nice combination, to be taught AND to be entertained. And maybe, interplaned, a combination of plane talk & entertainment Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!.
I have a Record 405 plane and was lucky enough to pick up a Stanley 55 a couple of years ago for free for helping a friend clear a workshop on her farm
How many permutations can you have with a Stanley No. 55 with a full set of blades and attachments? Permutations of combinations? Or combinations of permutations? Statistically, there must be the right permutation for almost every cut. Right?
I know you've done several videos on combination planes, including the 45 and 55, but I would love to see a more in depth usage of the 55. Like, build something, using the ogees, beads etc. I'd really like to see how it works, in things other than just a simple groove. Anyhow, great video as usual!
Thanks a bunch for the history lesson, James! 😊 I definitely keep my eyes open around here, but I've never seen one of those... Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Couple of years ago I picked up a Stanley 55 for $550 CAD with an almost complete set of cutters. Didn't take much cleaning up and was missing a screw for on of the slitters, still has the slitter though. Just been looking for an opportunity to use the darn thing because of other issues. Have tried it out a couple of times and can't wait for proper projects to happen.
I got a bit loopy over hand planes at some point and built up a little collection, and I may have bought two or three that I don’t need. I regret nothing, but the combination planes never interested me. They just seem too gimmicky and fiddly-foddly: a plough plane, a rabbet plane and a small power router is what I went for in the end.
I've been meaning to make a few irons for my 46 since i only have one iron for it. When I make them, I'll see about making a set for you, James 🙂. I make knives and have made a few 62 irons, so it shouldn't be too hard lol
I have a Stanley 45. It is missing the pin 📌 that holds the cutter blade. I think I can find a finish nail and use that. Some day soon I will try and find one.
Thanks! Do you know how interchangeable parts are for various years/types of the 55 are? I.e. if I buy a various pieces & cutters from different places will they work together?
Back in the late 70s when I was college age, I went to a flea market and spied a combination plane. I had only seen them in pictures before. Not sure which model it was as I never examined it. I politely asked to see it, and the grouchy old man, looking disgustingly at me, says "do you have the money to buy it?" I did, but told him NO, and walked away. I suspect that guy didn't have any friends! And probably lost a lot of sales. Since then I have acquired a 45 with complete set of cutters.
Okay... some of that looks like the "metal braces" my Mum (one of the last "front-line" nurses in NZ at the end of the 1950's polio pandemic who contracted this insidious disease) had inserted into her back at Greenlane Hospita, Auckland, NZ,l during my childhood. Many physical metal components used in surgery (such as knee replacements) aren't too disimilar to components in the woodworking and metal working spaces... and some operate in both spaces (albeit under different names)
Another great video... I recently acquired a 55... in a specific video on this plane I asked if you could duplicate the 444 and you said it could... I have a type 1 with 52 cutters and cannot figure out which cutters I'd need... do you happen to know the cutter numbers Stanley made for the 55 to make a sliding dovetail?...
I wonder if it would be too ridiculous for someone to make a plane where the bed functions like one of those profile gauges with all the pins. That way it could adapt to match the profile of literally any cutter you put in it. It would probably weigh a ton, but would still just be one plane to replace an entire set of planes.
are there any records of the Pattern Makers used for these planes?... I can only imagine the level of skill needed for the 55 and perhaps why nobody else came up with something identical...
These were mostly used by cabinetmakers for molding the reason no one really makes them anymore is that you don't use the movable skate as much in general woodworking anymore. So most companies just duplicate the 45 instead. It'll do 90% of what the 55 can do. But it's far less complicated.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo that makes sense, but my question was unclear... are there any records of the pattern makers that made the patterns for these planes?...
Always full of information James, thank you. Would you know of anyplace I could purchase a Stanley print out / sticker for my cutter box? The one on now is very worn and mostly missing.
Due to the world wars there aren't many metal body hand tools in Europe as compared to the us. Before the world wars everything was wooden hand tools. After it was all power tools. So it kind of skipped the steps that the US had in between the civil war and the world wars.
My daughter and son-in-law “inherited” a Stanley 50 when it was left in garage of the house they bought. Neither is into woodworking. I will have to see if I could refurbish it for them and, as their garage is quite full, offer to store it for them in my wood shop.
Lucky guy!
Kinda thinking Christmas is coming. Does seem like a lot too but a whole house though just to pick up a plane! 😉
Guy at work was getting rid of a bunch of stuff from his MIL’s storage unit. I had asked for some deep-well sockets and went home with that, plus a mostly complete 45.
😂
Not that is true generosity😊
I swear… every time I see combination planes I think “wow, amazing. I want!”, then I see the cost of the bodies, all the cutters, etc., and I start looking at power routers… then I think of all the dust that’d create and get sad.
THANKS A LOT JAMES
Yeah, my 55 has been sitting in the box (the original box) because I'm waiting for a time I have a month off just to clean it.
Thanks for the history lesson. Very interesting.
🤙
At 2:53 I heard the audio from The Woodwright's shop episode where Roy Underhill and Christopher Schwartz were doing a 55 vs moulding and plough planes. LOL
Cool! You got a Veritas!
Got the Veritas - love it!
...and to me, it's shocking how inexpensive these planes are. They're not just an old tool. They're part of history that won't last long. I believe that soon they'll be priceless.
I don't do any woodworking and barely have. Just watching someone talk passionately about things or an activity I remember as fun is entertaining.
The most woodworking I've done was Slöjd in school, Sweden, or just working with raw logs in the scouts, RR.
I have three planes that accompany my power tool shop regularly--a shoulder, a router, and a #5. Occasionally I use my #7.
I love watching your channel because one day I might get more!
I have a 45 and use it from time to time. However, more and more I am going to wooden plough/rabbet/molding planes. The Stanley 45/46/55 have utility but the wooden planes fell better in the hand, although they do take up more space.
For me after a year of searching for one i purchased a veritas very happy with it 😊.
Thank you, Mr. Wright!
Very entertaining, to be taught about these planes.
A nice combination, to be taught AND to be entertained.
And maybe, interplaned, a combination of plane talk & entertainment
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!.
I have a Record 405 plane and was lucky enough to pick up a Stanley 55 a couple of years ago for free for helping a friend clear a workshop on her farm
How many permutations can you have with a Stanley No. 55 with a full set of blades and attachments?
Permutations of combinations? Or combinations of permutations? Statistically, there must be the right permutation for almost every cut. Right?
I just inherited a 46. Like yours, it's missing parts, but it does its one job on end grain very well.
Helping the "HELPER"!
JIM ❤
I know you've done several videos on combination planes, including the 45 and 55, but I would love to see a more in depth usage of the 55. Like, build something, using the ogees, beads etc. I'd really like to see how it works, in things other than just a simple groove. Anyhow, great video as usual!
Great informative video James
Thanks a bunch for the history lesson, James! 😊
I definitely keep my eyes open around here, but I've never seen one of those...
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Couple of years ago I picked up a Stanley 55 for $550 CAD with an almost complete set of cutters. Didn't take much cleaning up and was missing a screw for on of the slitters, still has the slitter though. Just been looking for an opportunity to use the darn thing because of other issues. Have tried it out a couple of times and can't wait for proper projects to happen.
We get reamed on our prices up here in Canada. I've seen them going for much higher than $550 recently, and still not in pristine/ complete condition.
Great video, James.
I got a bit loopy over hand planes at some point and built up a little collection, and I may have bought two or three that I don’t need. I regret nothing, but the combination planes never interested me. They just seem too gimmicky and fiddly-foddly: a plough plane, a rabbet plane and a small power router is what I went for in the end.
I've been meaning to make a few irons for my 46 since i only have one iron for it. When I make them, I'll see about making a set for you, James 🙂. I make knives and have made a few 62 irons, so it shouldn't be too hard lol
Sweet. Let me know I might be in the market to buy some.
Great information James and thanks for telling us the plane truth about planes! 👍👍😉😉
Thanks from South Africa
I have recently acquired a Stanley 55, and I would love it if you did a comprehensive beginner guide to setting up and using one.
I have a couple videos on that. here is an older one. th-cam.com/video/6sY1_3KkiWw/w-d-xo.html
Thanks
Good video, James. Thank you for sharing.
I have a Stanley 45. It is missing the pin 📌 that holds the cutter blade. I think I can find a finish nail and use that. Some day soon I will try and find one.
Thanks! Do you know how interchangeable parts are for various years/types of the 55 are? I.e. if I buy a various pieces & cutters from different places will they work together?
For the 55 there are very few changes. It was basically the same plane through the hole run.
what's the difference between beads/flutes and hollows/rounds?
Hi James! Are you going to do a video on the veritas combination plane? Any tricks for setting up and using it?
I've thought about doing a video on it. But it's basically the same as the 45.
Thank you for the informative video
Woodworkers: "There will never be a plane that can do everything."
Stanley: "Hold my beer."
😆😆😆
The thing is, that Veritas plane is $500. Five Hundred! That's where I start saying "is this a hobby or an obsession?"
Back in the late 70s when I was college age, I went to a flea market and spied a combination plane. I had only seen them in pictures before. Not sure which model it was as I never examined it. I politely asked to see it, and the grouchy old man, looking disgustingly at me, says "do you have the money to buy it?" I did, but told him NO, and walked away. I suspect that guy didn't have any friends! And probably lost a lot of sales.
Since then I have acquired a 45 with complete set of cutters.
Thanks for sharing that!
Interesting video thanks James.
Thanks James
Okay... some of that looks like the "metal braces" my Mum (one of the last "front-line" nurses in NZ at the end of the 1950's polio pandemic who contracted this insidious disease) had inserted into her back at Greenlane Hospita, Auckland, NZ,l during my childhood. Many physical metal components used in surgery (such as knee replacements) aren't too disimilar to components in the woodworking and metal working spaces... and some operate in both spaces (albeit under different names)
Another great video... I recently acquired a 55... in a specific video on this plane I asked if you could duplicate the 444 and you said it could... I have a type 1 with 52 cutters and cannot figure out which cutters I'd need... do you happen to know the cutter numbers Stanley made for the 55 to make a sliding dovetail?...
I would be interested in seeing a demonstration of a Veritas plane .
They come in handy if you just have to remake a kitchen drawer... I think I have a seargent 45 in a box somplace...
A collection of simple things is also combination plain.
Great video.
That Veritas combination plane costs $689 here in the UK! Please let us see what it can do.
Thank you Sir.🎉
I wonder if it would be too ridiculous for someone to make a plane where the bed functions like one of those profile gauges with all the pins. That way it could adapt to match the profile of literally any cutter you put in it. It would probably weigh a ton, but would still just be one plane to replace an entire set of planes.
And in the darkness bind them! LOL.
What is the answer to the ultimate combination plane?
are there any records of the Pattern Makers used for these planes?... I can only imagine the level of skill needed for the 55 and perhaps why nobody else came up with something identical...
These were mostly used by cabinetmakers for molding the reason no one really makes them anymore is that you don't use the movable skate as much in general woodworking anymore. So most companies just duplicate the 45 instead. It'll do 90% of what the 55 can do. But it's far less complicated.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo that makes sense, but my question was unclear... are there any records of the pattern makers that made the patterns for these planes?...
not that I know of. Stanley had a whole division of pattern makers for their planes.
The stanley 55 looks like Megatron
Thanks!
Always full of information James, thank you. Would you know of anyplace I could purchase a Stanley print out / sticker for my cutter box? The one on now is very worn and mostly missing.
There's a guy who used to sell it on etsy. But most people printed out and use spray adhesive to apply it.
So many versions of stickers were used over the years and I have never found anyone who has made any of them available. @@WoodByWrightHowTo
Comment. And I love you wood by wright.
Maybe one day mr hardest worker in TH-cam
Link to the MWTCA?
www.mwtca.org but www.handtoolfimder.com has more resources listed.
I have the more modern and unfairly underrated Stanley 13-050 which the veritas looks to be a copy of .
thanks
One combination plane to rule them all?
Once you understand the Wright way to set up the 55 you will find ways to use it!
🎉
Great.
From Pakistan with love 👍
Comment down below
The usual, comment down below!
I'm almost starting to wonder if you really are the love child of Roy and Chris. :D
comment added
Some sort of comment
Comment down below. LOL
But what do they do? 😅
Um, no thank you. I know I'd misplace the very cutter I think I need for whatever I'm trying to make.
$520 for a Veritas combination plane without blades here in Ontario, Canada at Lee Valley tools. $25 for each blade you may want. Beyond my reach.
Why should you playing video you could have had such more rooting conversation what's a combination of topics instead of just being so plain
Why are there so few of them in Sweden?!
Due to the world wars there aren't many metal body hand tools in Europe as compared to the us. Before the world wars everything was wooden hand tools. After it was all power tools. So it kind of skipped the steps that the US had in between the civil war and the world wars.
Comment down below