Stanley 55 Plane Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Multi Planes
Manufacturer: Stanley
Plane Type: Multi / Universal
Model No: 55
The Stanley 55 plane is packed with a number of planing functions including:
Due to the Stanley 55 supporting multiple plane functions, the Stanley 55 is referred to as a 'Stanley Multi Plane' or 'Stanley Universal Plane'.
The Stanley 55 plane was in effect a storage space saving tool. When
the 55 was first made, most woodworkers would have a different wooden
plane for each planing function and then they would have many different
sized planes for each plane type.
For example a user of the time might
have had 10 wooden side bead planes such as sizes: 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16",
3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1" (plus possible other sizes), and then
numerous other planes for the other functions and sizes.
For this reason a woodworker of the time would often have a large wooden
tool chest full of wooden planes.
The Stanley 55 plane allowed woodworkers who could afford the plane to
have a tool which was easily portable from workshop to job.
The Stanley 55 plane originally had 55 cutters / blades as standard with an additional
41 extra cutters available to buy.
In addition to this users were able to make their
own cutters from blanks or to order custom designs from Stanley by providing Stanley
with a sketch of the cutter design.
Length:
10 inch
Weight:
7 3/4 lb approx.
Metal Parts:
cast iron
Handle, Knobs, Wooden Parts:
rosewood
Plane Finish:
nickel plated
No. Of Cutters:
55
Additional Cutters:
41
Custom Cutters:
Made by users or made to order by Stanley
The standard Stanley 55 plane blades consisted of the following 55 cutters:
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<1898 - 1958>
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