eBay Frankenplane
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- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 7 months ago by Darren.
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Hi,
I recently bought a Stanley 4 1/2 on eBay. It was very cheap, almost too good to be true…
It arrived today with the following issues:
1. The frog adjustment screw should have a small metal plate attached, otherwise turning the screw has no effect. Does anyone know where I can get one, and the retaining screw that goes into the frog?
2. The frog lateral adjustment lever is loose and bent, meaning it doesn’t work consistently. Does anyone know if this can be easily fixed? E.g. can I compress the rivet a bit to tighten it up? I can straighten out the arm easily.
3. The screws in the handles are not original, being a mix of steel and brass. Not an issue as such, but it would be good to get a brass one for the tote. Ebay?
4. The plane doesn’t have a Stanley iron, but a Marples one. Does anyone know what the quality of Marples planes is like? Not sure about the chip breaker.
The seller has a return option within 14 days, just trying to decide what’s best.
The body of the plane looks in good condition, as does the frog apart from the issues above, and the lever cap. The wooden handles seem solid but a bit loose. The Marples iron has a good bit of life left in it.
Thanks
Darren.
25 August 2016 at 5:47 pm #139691Hey Darren. 1. You can google the frog adjustment screw to find where to get it and the small metal plate. I recall visiting a website that sells old plane parts, but I don’t remember the name. A quick search showed a site called Stanleytoolparts.com, but I don’t know if they are related to Stanley or if they are reputable. Highland Woodworking also came up and they are definitely reputable. Try to fine an old tool dealer – they’ll have what you need. BTW, earlier models of Stanley bench planes didn’t have this frog adjustment screw. So you can set the frog where you want it and tighten down the frog if you wanted to use the plane. Once I have the frog set where I want it, I very rarely use the adjustment screw.
2. You can try to peen the rivet in the lateral adjust lever, but go carefully. Too tight is a problem also.
3. I think the screws in the knob and tote were always steel, whereas the nuts were usually brass, but some models had steel. If you feel like you need to replace them, see #1 above.
4. Don’t know anything about Marples irons, but give it a try and see if it works OK.Good luck and let us know how you make out.
I haven’t done business with them, but you can look here: http://www.stjamesbaytoolco.com/ . I was going to try them for some parts for a #78.
Hi,
Thanks to all for the replies.
I tried to return the plane, but the chap I bought it from offered me a refund and said I could keep the plane! He apologised for the condition, and clearly didn’t know anything about planes.
I couldn’t in good conscience take it off him for nothing, so we agreed a much lower “for spares” price.
So, I’m left with a 4 1/2 with a broken lateral adjustment lever and a missing frog adjustment screw plate.
I’m going to have a go at removing and fixing or replacing the lever. After looking at it some more I can’t bend it back into shape without removing it, and as it stands it fouls the frog when I try to move it. From what I’ve read online replacing the level is a tricky thing to do, and could end in disaster, but I’ll see what happens.
I can live without the frog adjustment screw plate while I sit on eBay to see if one comes up for sale.
Thinking about that, would the lateral adjustment arm and the frog adjustment plate from a no. 4 fit a 4 1/2?
Thanks again,
Darren.
28 August 2016 at 4:32 am #139741Well, at least you can learn a LOT by working on this plane. That’s always a good thing. I would bet that those two parts are identical on a #4 and #4 1/2.
28 August 2016 at 1:25 pm #139742I bought a plane from an Ebay seller in Washington state and had the same issues and the same response to my request for a return. I’m pretty sure he stays in business with Frankenstein planes and not arguing when someone asks for a refund.
28 August 2016 at 4:44 pm #139744Sorry to hear about the frankenplane. Some folks on ebay are trying to scam, others are just misinformed. I would set this plane aside for repair at another time.
I’d rather buy used tools at yard sales, flea markets or boot sales. Or in the US, a local Habitat for Humanity Restore.
I applaud Paul’s efforts to get us started in woodworking in a cost effective way, but sometimes the cost of new versus used is blurred by the effort to repair used tools. Additionally, one needs a “critical mass” of knowledge about tools to perform repairs.
I found this web site, I don’t know anything about it but he has the parts in stock
http://www.antique-used-tools.com/comparts.htmgood luck
I’ve had good luck on a couple replacement part orders with this ebay store:
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