Stanley Numbers Explained Including the #1 

I’m afraid I’m a 5 1/2 lover but mine is a spiers of ayre infill plane an absolute joy to use so the first plane I gravitate to every time I’m in the shop Love your enthusiasm for this subject which has ruled my entire life Keep up the good work

Who needs that many planes? ;)

Only the right carpenter can give these values. It is a great pleasure to be able to choose just the right one for a particular job.

The #5-1/4 was very common in public schools where smaller hands, arms, and bodies were better accommodated by the smaller dimensions of the #5-1/4. They were significantly cheaper than #5s in quantity. It was my brilliant shop teachers go-to plane. Well into my 70s, I love my #5-1/4s (yep, I have 2 of them) as smoothers since it takes smaller bites which helps mitigate my loss of strength. Following that theme, my #3 gets more use these days too. Some days my trusty #6 takes over for my #7, etc.. However the slightly longer #5-1/4 will certainly joint smaller stock. Right back where I started... Lasty I’m a bit ham-fisted and #4s crowd my grip, where the #3 and #5 family don’t. All my remaining #4s, except my Footprint #4, and Veritas #4 bevel-up are shelf warmers. Their totes are roomy.

A thorough and thoughtful video! Enjoyed every second of it.

Thanks for this video. I was totally confused about the types of planes and numbers. Your video has helped me a lot in understanding the different planes. As a beginning woodworker at an older age, I know now what planes I will look for and need.

Your enthusiasm makes me enthused

very interesting and informative. I love Stanley hand planes; I have been collecting them in the past few years. Great job!! thank you

I started with a crappy 12-204 Stanley(which ive put quite a bit of work into, now its nice!) And a 69½ block. Then i got a no6C type 11... Then a no3 type??. I feel like for my NYC apartment woodworking all i need(lol) now is a no10. Id love to get one of them to clean up my tenon's and laps better. I always love your content, James.

A random garage sale today started my interest and collection. Picked up a #3 a #5 a #7 and a # 20 today for a total of 30 bucks

Nice explanation , now i know what theyre all for i might use em more. Was on ebay looking for a christmas prezzie for my mother a couple of hours ago....Now ive got a No.7 on its way...she'll love it.

Great video and explanation thanks for taking the time to do this.

Thanks a lot, James! 😃 Fantastic tips! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

This puts you on a higher PLANE. No need to ADJUST the screen, LATERALLY or any other way. My MOUTH was wide open the whole time. You're really SMOOTH. You're definitely not SQUARE!!! Thanks James. And have a blessed Christmas.

Folk always diss the #1.... It does have a place though. My Mentor had one that he used on every Guitar build. It is a perfect size for Luthier work. It has the weight that palm planes just don't have so it shines on jobs such as planing down sides before fitting sound boards and backs. Also a very handy plane for making braces as well. How I wish I had gotten my sweaty hands on it when he retired.......

From one 'Collector' to another. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Wood family 😎

this was along time in the making! i remember you talking about this like 4 years ago lol, congrats

We used the 5 Jack plane for fitting and hanging doors mainly. The 4 commonly used for smoothing , but I do prefer the 3 for this. Good demo, thanks

Great video James, but I will pipe up on one thing you said because you repeated it a couple times. The going cost of a used bench plane today is mostly based on the number that were sold originally. The planes that were most wanted, and used, decades ago, were sold the most. Those are the ones that are the most available today. Supply and demand means that those are the least expensive on the second hand market today. The planes that sell for the highest prices today are the ones that few people wanted back in the day. Rarity today makes them cost more, because, as you pointed out, there are nuts, uhm, I mean collectors, who really bid up the prices for them. Collectors don't want them to use, they want them to fill out their set, and to collect dust. In other words, the most expensive ones are the least useful. But the cheapest ones are the most useful, which is great news to us users. My advice to new woodworkers is that #4s, and #5s, are so plentiful and cheap, that there's no reason to not buy one of each. I see good ones selling for $30.00 - $40.00 on a regular basis. A guy should focus on getting all the other basic tools before spending between $100.00 - $200.00 on a #7, or a #8. The price is just high enough to where the ratio of cost to need is not in it's favor. He'll use it at times if he has one, but it's not essential, especially if he has a table saw.

@james wright it looks like you are so excited you are shaking!! especially at the beginning. glad you got it done

Hi from the UK you so have answered my Conundrum question thank you sir what a bloody mind field but after watching your video I have found the answer to my question toodaloo old chap

I followed your chanel for quite a while now and remember a few times you spoke about the #1. Congrats for having them all on your bench at last. And thank you for this great overview!

I agree with your plane choices. I've got a 3, 4, 5 and 7. They cover all the needs i have. Would I like to have the other, of course!

Great video there I’m lucky enough to have this full set along with all the no 10s as well

Thanks for the video! You provided some great information!!

Excellent overview, James-the best that I’ve found on the web. Much appreciated!

I very thought I'd like it but I absolutely love my number 3!! In fact my favorite

Thank You James!!! Great Info!!! Job Well Done!!! 👍😎

Good job sir I've got a no 3 Then my grandfather gave me a no 5 1/2 my best since 1995 I don't need anything else thank you for sharing this information god bless

Everyone knows that the Stanley No. 1 is the jack plane for Santa's elves.

subscriber from the Philippines Merry Christmas

Great video James👍

Love my 5.5 plane - it’s the only plane I’ve properly ‘clicked’ with (block plane notwithstanding). Had the 4 and 5 before it, and could never quite get them to work, never knew why

Excellent video, thank you very much!

Great informations.

Thanks I learned alot

My wifes husband was called Stanley as well. Small world we live in. He didnt like planes, said they were dangerous.

2:55 I thought you were going to say "The 5 is Alive". I guess that movie Short Circuited my brain.

I have a selection, but not like that. 4,5,6,7,block,rebate. Think that's it. I may come back with the rebate number if I remember. Well explained video. Ty

Hahaha great video, this one slightly hit a nerve!. A couple of years ago I decided that I would like to learn something and use my hands ... yep woodwork was the one as I've alway's been a keen DIYer so woodwork seemed the next step. Even though I have never done any of this before, but yet suddenly I decided that while I saved to build my own workshop I would take my time and start purchasing things for my as of yet unbuilt shop!. Over the past two year's I decided that because I'm from the UK and Stanley's a well known company the world through, I thought yep Stanley's handplanes especially when I keep seeing the RU-vid woodworkers had rather nice ways to display their tools not everyone but alot ! So like I said I started buying the Stanley planes and over the past two year's I have managed to buy a good collection of them but unfortunately no number 1 anywhere 😕 😢 😐 😔2 to 8 yep got them! Now the thing is as I said I now have a nice little collection but to tell you honestly the truth is....I still haven't built my workshop...I know mental or what? But that aside plans are in place to build the workshop this year 2021 , aslong as I don't suddenly start buying all the different types of woodsaws that have been made over the past couple of hundred years 😳 😄 😀. Great video and thanks for sharing it made me laugh 💯% 👍🇬🇧

I am 61 and was first introduced to woodwork at 11at school. Today I saw another RU-vid woodworking guy put a Stanley Bailey number 1, 4 and 7 on a set of scales, they weigh 1, 4 and 7 pounds respectively. I never knew that! Don’t have them to check if this holds true for all sizes I have Stanley 4’s, 5’s, and a Record 7.

Thanks for the Video...alway like to learn something Without the sales pitches...stay safe...

Love it!

Great idea!!!! James..Have a great Christmas...richard, Normandy, France

The more planes I get to try out, the more I realize that all you really need is a jack, jointer, and smoother. It's nice to have a block plane and some specialty planes for very specific projects, but those three will do 95% of the work.

Finally, now I know. Thanks.

I use my 6 for stock removal and flattening as a scrub plane basically. My 8 is the only jointer I use, so my 7 never gets touched. My 5 is used for everything I need done for random projects and getting the board ready for smoothing. That means my 3 is also generally unused except when I need to plane something quick and that might damage the iron. My 4 1/2 from woodriver is my dedicated smoother. I have a 4 that is a secondary spot scrub plane. Basically I am on the cusp of the collector, but I use almost all!! 😂😂

I have a modern #1 that I use over a block plane in certain situations. The #1 is a niche plane, but if you have enough planes, they almost all are. I enjoyed the video, thanks for posting!

Great collection. I use a 4 1/2 and a 5. I love your channel.

Hi jim we got 2x stanley no 1 planes for sale here in the uk and a bedrock 602

So helpful!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Really enjoying your awesome videos!

Plane video today, thank you.

Hello, your content is helping me a lot and that is why I want to ask you if you could guide me with a video about smoothing plans on how to correctly adjust the pieces where the blade rests. Thank you

The #1 to rule them all... my precious. 😀😀

Planes are awesome. I really only have two. I envision having at least one more

I love my 5 1/2

I do find only using certain planes, my Winchester no 5 1/2 seems to be my go to plane for jointing, I recently noticed that even Lie Nielsen doesn't find much use in the number 1, 2, and all of of the carriage makers planes as they have pulled them off of their web site, which is a shame because I always counted on them to always be available if i were to be so inclined to purchase one.

Just minutes ago I bought a no.5-1/2 to join my no.4. I've been struggling to flatten and joint my stock, but it's nigh impossible to get any larger planes here. Even 4s and 5s are rare! It's like the metal body never managed to replace wooden planes. I'm excited for it and hope it does me well.

Great info! I pick up ones that are rusty but still have the original tote and knob. They have to be cheap, too.

I have the 4 1/2 which I tend to use as a small panel plane and a 6, which I use as a jointer and panel plane, even though I have a 7 !!! The 7 wears me out quickly as I'm an old fossil.

It's OK to be a collector. Really! Stanley made great planes for over 100 years and we don't want that legacy to be forgotten. We have gone back to our roots and want to revive the hand woodworking industry. We know that power tools dominate, but we want to keep hand woodworking alive and we collect so we can restore and never let them be lost to time. I get it. Collect my friend!

Have you got a T5 which is a 5 but a bedrock design as you need the increased area of the sides for using on a shooting board. It also comes with a third handle that screws into a hole on either side as on a shooting board plane you use it on it's side holding the third handle. Lovely video.

Where do you plug them in, said the 18 yr old punk gen Z apprentice. So I showed him how to walk 64’s off a teak closing plank, then told him to drop his bags and pick up a broom for the rest off the day.

OK, I read somewhere that , that 5,1/4 is really a 5"-" 1/4. Five minus a quarter. Tried to find it today, but couldn't. Great video, "I'm loving it." steve

OK, nobody needs the full set. But they look so pretty all in a line!

Hmmm… I bought a No. 5 1/2 thinking that the extra width would make things easier as it covers more surface, but now I’d trade it in for a No. 5 in a heartbeat, which I don’t have (they’re not as common and easy to find in Europe as they are in the US). I prefer narrower irons: narrower iron, less resistance, and it really only takes a few more strokes to get a good finish (pun not intended, but recognised). The 5 1/2 makes a good shooting plane, though. As I often work on smaller pieces, I’d quite like a No. 2 or a No. 3, but I’m not wild about it - the No. 4 really is small enough. Although I would get a No. 1 (and use it) if it was affordable, just because it’s cute. I recently gave in and bought a No. 7. RU-vid woodworkers usually insist that nobody needs a 7, but at some point I noticed that all of them own one, and I bet they all use it when the cameras are off, because it’s a joy. Is it necessary? No, but it gives you more confidence when jointing a larger piece, you don’t have to check all the time if you’re straight - it just finds the high spots by itself. So of course I agree, start with a No. 4 or a No. 5, then identify what else might come in handy. I’m not sure I get the point of a No. 6 or a No. 8, but I can’t really speak to that because I’ve never worked with either. What I’m sure about is that I’d use a No. 5 more often than my 5 1/2.

Great info, I just purchased a vintage #4 on Ebay in great condition. Blade needs minimal work and I can't wait to use it! Might need a #5 one day, need to get my skills up to snuff to enable the benefits of a #5.

A collector !! I called it plane addiction , I'm trying not to buy more but really I can't help it 😖 .

Thank you for the excellent video and great info! I now have 3 old stanley planes and after watching your video plan on collecting them. Couple questions about them. What is the best way to store the hand plane? Shelf, two pegs supporting the ends, flat or on its side, etc. Also, in restoring them what paint do you use to paint them and what are the standard colors for ones made in the usa or england? Where is the best place to get new wooden handles and front grips? Thanks, appreciate the help. Patrick

Stanley did a lot of thinking. I heard that their big breakthrough was packaging the screws along with their hinges. Wow...not. Who knows? Those days were different. I can see it. But here's what doesn't make too much sense to me. Collectors want the whole set. Okay fine. But for ever collector there are a thousand people that want/need a plane. Give them too many choices and they're very liable to go home and think about it. That's a dead sale. It happens all the time. Don't get the customer thinking about choices. It's the kiss of death that every sales expert will tell you. Stanley didn't care and didn't follow that thinking. Interesting. I don't know what they were thinking with the #1 or anything else. I think they were and are nuts. Today Stanley B&D owns almost all the companies. They must be doing something right.

Block, #4, and a #7.

My 4 1/2 is my go to plane, my number 7 has grooves in the bottom.

#4, chisels, and a pair of winding sticks... or... #3 through #6/7 and a pair of winding sticks... Of course need the chisels too... And of course my kids need to help me, so that's why I need the #2!.... 😁

I don't need a No 1, I want a No 1 for my collection!

Aren't we fortunate they didn't make left and right handed versions.

Good video You forgot about the corrugated bottoms. I have a complete set 1 thru 8 along with the " C's "

Great info thanks. Constant battle for me to not buy more tools. Helps that I have no extra money lol

Stanley planes are the Pokemon of the tool world

Love my #5½. One "gotcha" with the #5½ is that prior to Type 16 it was ⅛" narrower than the #4½ & #6. They did make a #5½H, with a 2⅜" iron, but those are fairly rare.

THE #5 1/4 is called a Jr. Jack as they were made for students and their smaller hands.

Can I ask to add to the collection, line up all the various types of one size then explain the variations for us please James . Pretty please😎 As I have passed into the next phase, Collector status.

8:20 That is me.

Wow way cool

I have a #5 I found all dirty and rusty. I restored it to a serviceable condition

I have to disagree with being unable to use a #1. I don't have a Stanley #1 but a more modern version from a different company but its the same size. I find it very useful for smaller work

The 5-1/2 Stanley Bailey I have is about15 inches long. I am guessing it is longer than the 5-1/2 you presented.

Next series...the 60x Bedrocks...I'd love to snag one of those to restore...but I've already got a handful that need some TLC

What would be a good new plane alternative to the classic no 2?

Back in the seventies a friend had a number 1. He wasn't a carpenter, didn't collect them, almost gave it to me... But didn't.

which one is best when using a shooting board?

I have a 5 1/2, 605 and 607 - which one would be best to use when I build a shooting board using your plans?

Fun fact, just looked up the #1 on ebay, 😐. Ya, it was $2,000 dollars. I will just stick to the block plane thank you.

I have a new-manufacture plane which works well, but has a screw-down "lever" cap. I have a much crappier plane that I don't like. Can I take its lever cap off and use it on the good plane?

What are your thoughts on converting a 5¼ to a scrub? I would like to grab a no 40 but making iron adjustments exclusively with a hammer isnt worth the headache for me.

I've ended up with half a dozen number 4's and 3 number 5's. I honestly don't feel the need for anything else, other than a 6 maybe ? But I can live without it. For the type of woodwork I do, a number 5 will and has been used as a jointer, and I've got away with it. I refuse to buy any more planes ............ unless I find a way to get them past SWMBO ..............

What year is your no 6 I have the exact one trying to date

I did not know there was a 5 1/4 Personally I’d be tempted to set it up as an aggressive scrub plane.

I was wondering about a Stanley A 5 plane, good or not, is it refinish worthy.

Congratulations! You really look like a small boy!! Happy!!! 1 question! I haven't found or heard anybody talking about the jappaning in stanley plane! Until what year(or type)they use jappaning and not paint!

I've got a couple old planes my grandfather used. One is a Stanley No4. It also says Bailey on it, is there a difference or do they all say that? I've also got a Winchester No 6. Are they any good. It's kind of rusty so I'm wondering if it's worth restoring. I don't know much about planes as I've always used power tools as a carpenter. I just want to get back to doing things the old-school way.