Stanley 8 Plane Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Jointer Planes
Extra Info: What is a Jointer Plane? Jointer Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Stanley
Plane Type: Jointer
Model No: 8
The Stanley jointer plane number 8 is the longest of the standard
Stanley bench planes at 23 7/8 inch (606mm) in length.
It is also the
widest of the bench planes at 80mm wide and unsurprisingly it has the
widest plane blade of the standard bench planes, fitted with a 66mm (2 5/8 inch)
wide steel cutter.
During the the Stanley number 8 plane's long production period, the design of
the plane barely strayed from its original design.
When changes have been made to the number 8 through its history, these
alterations have been classified in terms of historical reference as
'type' refinements. This helps with the referencing of a plane design.
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 8 plane is referred to as the 'Type 1' model.
The Stanley number 8 is made with an iron body, frog, lever cap, cap iron,
cutter, lateral adjuster, rear handle and front knob.
The body is constructed from grey cast iron with machined and ground
sides and sole. The machining and grounding ensure the plane body is
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 brass blade depth
adjusting wheel).
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 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'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.
Note: ensure the lever cap is loosened before making adjustments
to avoid damage.
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.
These Stanley planes are fitted with a comfortably shaped handle and
knob.
The handles and knobs can be made from hardwood.
Planes with Rosewood handles and knobs are highly sought
after.
The Stanley jointer plane number 8 is in the region of 606mm (23 7/8 inch)
in length.
As with all the Stanley bench planes, the Stanley 8 has universal
interchanging parts.
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 8 Plane Markings
"No. 8" - 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
Depth adjuster wheel/nut:
brass
Handle and low knob :
rosewood
Plane finish:
black
Stanley 8 Plane Markings
"Bailey" - found on the top face at the very front of the plane.
"No. 8" - found on the top face at the rear.
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
Plane finish:
black
Stanley 8 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. 8" - found on the top face at the rear.
Body and frog:
high grade cast iron
Lever cap:
high grade cast iron with a plated finish
Cap iron:
best quality steel
Blade:
crucible cast tungsten steel
Depth adjuster wheel/nut:
brass
Handle and knob:
rosewood / beech
Plane finish:
black
Stanley 8 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. 8" - found on the top face at the rear.
"Stanley" - found on the lever cap face.
Length:
606mm (23 7/8 inch)
Width:
80mm
1870 - 1960>
Stanley Jointer Plane no. 8
Stanley Trying Plane no. 8
Stanley Long Bench Plane no. 8
Stanley Wood-Work Plane no. 8
Stanley Hand Plane no. 8
Stanley 8 Plane
Further information on the Stanley plane number 8 can be found in the many Stanley tool catalogues produced from the 19th Century through to the 1960's. Additional information to this Stanley number 8 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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