Stanley Fore Plane - No. 6

stanley fore plane
Our Rating

Stanley 6 Review By: I.Ball

Category: Old Fore Planes

Manufacturer: Stanley

Plane Type: Fore

Model No: 6


           

The Stanley fore plane number 6 has been produced by Stanley for approximately 150 years.

During this exceptionally long manufacture period the Stanley 6 plane design has remained very similar.

There have been slight alterations to the design and the materials used through the Stanley number 6's history which have been classed as improvements and refinements.

In terms of classifying these changes for historical classification, these refinements relate to which 'Type' the plane is e.g. the first design of the Stanley 6 plane is referred to as the 'Type 1' model.



stanley plane 6

The Stanley number 6 is made with an iron body, frog, lever cap, cap iron, cutter, lateral adjuster, rear wooden handle and front knob.

The body is constructed from grey cast iron with machined and ground sides and sole. The machining and grounding ensured the plane body was originally flat and true (or pretty flat and true). The top-side of the plane body is finished with the black finish which is synonymous with the Stanley plane range.

The central part of the plane is the cast iron frog on which the blade rests, the frog position / throat is set, the lateral lever pivots on and the depth adjuster operates.

The frog face is set at 45 degrees, therefore the blade is set at a 45 degree angle.

The frog can be used to adjust the mouth thickness at which the shavings pass through. This is adjusted by turning the frog adjusting screw which is located at the base of the rear of the frog (below the blade depth adjusting wheel).


stanley plane number 6

Note: ensure the frog screws are loosened so the frog can move backwards and forwards when the frog adjusting screw is turned (the frog screws are the two screws located in depressions on the frog bed where the blade sits).

The plane's lateral blade adjusting lever is located just behind the top of the blade / at the top of the frog. This lever pivots side-to-side which in turn adjusts the cutter side-ways; this is useful for aligning the blade to ensure it is not skewed.

The plane's blade depth adjuster is a notch on the front face of the frog, just below the bottom of the lateral lever. This notch locates with a gap in the plane blade and is controlled by an adjusting wheel (usually brass) found at the rear of the frog.

The depth at which the blade is set is adjusted by turning the adjusting wheel, this in turn regulates the thickness of the shavings. Turning the adjusting wheel towards the frog raises the blade, and turning in the opposite direction towards the rear handle moves the blade downwards.


stanley plane number 6

Note: ensure the lever cap is loosened before making adjustments to avoid damage.

The number 6 plane is fitted with a 60mm (2 3/8 inch) wide steel cutter.

The plane blade is stiffened with the use of a cap iron. The cap iron helps reduce chatter and assists in curling the shavings to prevent splintering the work-piece, particularly when working against the grain.

The plane blade and cap iron are locked in position with the lever cap. This further reduces chattering. The lever cap has a plated finish which is usually a nickel plating.

The lever cap has a hole in the middle in which a screw runs through from the frog. With the exception of the earlier planes / lever caps, the lever cap has a pear shaped hole in the middle in which a screw runs through, this pear shape was designed to help prevent the cap loosening.


old stanley 6 plane

These Stanley planes are fitted with a comfortably shaped handle and knob. The handles and knobs can be made from hardwood or a hard plastic composite. The wooden handles are quite desirable as they feel natural and more comfortable.

Planes with Rosewood handles and knobs are highly sought after, with numerous choosing to 'pimp-up' their plane by buying a new Rosewood plane handle set. The plastic composite handles have the advantage of being very hard to break/damage.

The Stanley fore plane number 6 is in the region of 18 inch in length.

As with all the Stanley bench planes, the Stanley 6 has universal interchanging parts.



Plane Construction

early stanley low knob plane no 6

Body and frog:
cast iron

Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish

Cap iron:
best quality steel

Blade:
best quality steel

Depth adjuster wheel/nut: brass

Handle and low knob: rosewood

Plane finish: black


stanley plane no 6

Stanley 6 Plane Markings

"No 6" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.



Plane Construction

stanley low knob plane no 6

Body and frog:
cast iron

Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish

Cap iron:
best quality steel

Blade:
best quality steel

Depth adjuster wheel/nut: brass

Handle and low knob: rosewood

Plane finish: black


stanley plane no 6

Stanley 6 Plane Markings

"Bailey" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.

"No. 6" - found on the top face at the rear.



Plane Construction

stanley plane no 6

Body and frog:
cast iron

Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish

Cap iron:
best quality steel

Blade:
best quality steel

Depth adjuster wheel/nut: brass

Handle and knob: rosewood / beech

Plane finish: black


stanley plane no 6

Stanley 6 Plane Markings

"Bailey" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.

"Made In England" or "Made In USA" - found on the top face between front knob and blade.

"No. 6" - found on the top face at the rear.

"Stanley" - found on the lever cap face.



Plane Construction

stanley plane no 6

Body and frog:
cast iron

Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish

Cap iron:
best quality steel

Blade:
best quality steel

Depth adjuster wheel/nut: bakelite

Handle and knob: rosewood / beech

Plane finish: black


stanley plane no 6

Stanley 6 Plane Markings

"Bailey" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.

"Made In England" or "Made In USA" - found on the top face between front knob and blade.

"No. 6" - found on the top face at the rear.

"Stanley" - found on the lever cap face.



Plane Construction

stanley plane no 6

Body and frog:
cast iron

Lever cap:
cast iron with a plated finish

Cap iron:
best quality steel

Blade:
best quality steel

Depth adjuster wheel/nut:
brass

Handle and knob:
beech

Plane finish:
black


stanley plane no 6

Stanley 6 Plane Markings

"Bailey" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.

"No. 6, Made In England" or "No. 6, Made In USA" - found on the top face at the very rear of the plane.

"Stanley" - found on the lever cap face.



Plane Dimensions

Length:
18 inch (457mm)

Width:
3 inch (75mm)


Manufactured Dates

1870 - Today


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(i) This review/article may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given in good faith, any such information should not be solely relied upon and seen as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines. Refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices for the good health of your tool and property.
(ii) The details here are given in good faith, the details are constantly growing and evolving including corrections, there is scope for error and shouldn't be fully relied upon, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional research from reliable sources.




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