Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Jack Planes
Extra Info: What is a Jack Plane? Jack Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Marples
Plane Type: Jack
Model No: M5 1/2
The William Marples jack plane number M5 1/2 is a heavy, thick bodied plane
with a thicker cast than most other similar number 5 1/2 planes.
The 5 1/2 models
are wider than the number 5 models. The 5 1/2 planes take a 2 3/8 inch wide plane blade
compared to the 2 inch blades used with the number 5 planes.
The plane is fitted with a Beech rear handle, a Beech front knob, a 'Marples'
lever cap, a cap iron and a Marples blade. The blade rests on a flat faced
frog.
The cap iron for these Marples bench planes have a piece at the
top set at an angle with the wording on the cap iron saying 'Correct
Angle For Grinding'.
As you may have guessed the angle at which the top
of the cap iron is set is intended as a guide for when sharpening the
blade. The design of these cap irons I believe is unique (there are similar).
The plane is finished with the Marples red japanning. Other planes which
have a similar red finish include I.Sorby planes and Rapier planes.
Originally the William Marples M 5 1/2 plane had a trade label on top
of the rear handle. These have quite often disappeared or partially
disappeared through the planes history of use.
The blade can be easily adjusted laterally using the lateral adjuster
found behind the blade.
The plane is finished with a red japanning.
The Bodies, Frogs and Lever Caps are made of high grade Cast Iron and the Lever
Caps are Plated.
The Positive Cutter Adjustment, together with the Adjustable Frog
make accurate work easy to perform.
The handles are of Selected Hardwood and the
Cutting Iron of heat treated Tungsten Vanadium Steel retains its fast cutting edge
on the hardest of timbers.
Length Of Sole: 381mm (15 inches)
Cast Thickness: 3mm
Body and Frog: high grade cast iron
Lever Cap: high grade cast iron and plated
Handle and Knob: wooden, usually Beech
Plane finish: red
Marples M5 1/2 Plane Blade / Cutter
Blade: Tungsten Vanadium Steel
Width: 60mm (2 3/8 inch)
Blade Thickness: 2mm
Top Of Blade Shape:: Squared
Blade Markings: W. Marples & Sons, Sheffield England, Solid Crucible Steel
"Marples" - found on the top face at the very front.
"M5 1/2, Sheffield" - found on the top face at the front, behind the knob.
"England" + Shamrock Symbol - found on the top face at the rear
end, between the handle and frog.
"Marples" - found on the lever cap face.
"Marples, Sheffield Eng" (in a circular motion around the Shamrock symobl)
- found on the trade label on top of the rear handle.
..1937 - 1965..
Momist - My recently acquired M 5 1/2 has a blade 2-1/4" wide, not 2-3/8". Does
this make it an early model? I know that Stanley changed their 5-1/2 blades around
1939.
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FindMyTool - Thanks Momist, I haven't come across this currently, it would certainly
make sense the 2 1/4" is an earlier Marples plane example especially with the echo
of the Stanley plane. I will keep an eye out for any further info.
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Brendan - I have bought a M 5 1/2, but it has a dovetailed sole. I cannot seem to
see this on any other Marples steel plane?
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FindMyTool - Thanks Brendan, once again this isn't something I have come across
currently, on the face of it my initial reaction is this is very unusual. Thanks
for bringing it to my attention, I will keep an eye out for any further info.
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