Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Compass Planes
Extra Info: What is a Compass Plane? Compass Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Stanley
Plane Type: Compass
Model No: 20
The Stanley 20 compass plane otherwise known as the Stanley 20 circular
plane is a 10 inch long metal plane with an adjustable flexible sole.
The flexible sole can be adjusted to form a convex sole or a concave
sole, set to the required curvature.
The flexible sole is anchored with the frame at either end of the sole
with a screw adjustment in the center.
The sole is adjusted by turning the knurled sole adjustment wheel nut;
located on the top of the plane in the center. The screw either pushes
the center of the sole down or pulls the sole up to create a curved sole.
Once the sole has been adjusted to form the desired curvature, the
adjustment wheel nut is locked by securing the small locking screw just
under the adjustment wheel nut.
Similarly the small locking screw should
be loosened before turning the adjustment wheel nut.
The frame shape provides handy grips to handle and control the plane
with ease.
The Stanley 20 is fitted with the same plane blade, cap iron and lever
cap as the number 3 bench planes. This makes finding a replacement piece
a lot easier to find.
The plane blade and cap iron are locked in position with the lever cap.
This helps to reduce chattering. The lever cap has a plated finish which
is usually a nickel plating. The lever cap has a pear shaped hole in
the middle in which a screw runs through, the shape helps prevent the
cap loosening.
Also, as with the standard bench planes such as the 3, the 20 compass plane has a
lateral blade adjusting lever located just behind the blade. This lever
pivots side-to-side which in turn adjusts the cutter side-ways
(note: the lever cap must be released when making these alterations).
When looking at compass planes, you may come across a very similar plane
which is the
Record 020 compass plane.
Other than the colour and the plane markings, the Record 020 is almost
identical in design.
Tradionally compass planes were made from wood with a fixed sole, mostly
with no form of curvature adjustment
- see the wooden compass plane review.
Body and frog:
cast iron
Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish
Cap iron:
best quality steel
Blade:
best quality steel
Plane finish: plated
Stanley 20 Plane Markings
"Stanley" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.
"Victor No 20" - found on the top face of the sole adjuster wheel nut.
Body and frog:
cast iron
Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish
Cap iron:
best quality steel
Blade:
best quality steel
Plane finish: plated
Stanley 20 Plane Markings
"No 20, Stanley" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.
Body and frog:
cast iron
Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish
Cap iron:
best quality steel
Blade:
best quality steel
Plane finish: black
Stanley 20 Plane Markings
"Stanley" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.
"Victor No 20" - found on the top face of the sole adjuster wheel nut.
Date: <1934 - 1958>
<1898 - 1958>
Stanley Circular Plane no. 20
Stanley Plane Victor no. 20
Stanley 20 Plane
Further information on the Stanley plane number 20 can be found in Stanley tool catalogues produced in the 19th Century and through the 20th Century. Additional information to this Stanley number 20 plane review can also be found in many different trade catalogues as well as reference books which are dedicated to discussing Stanley tools.
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