liquidating collection, planes (0/1)

[woodyplacebo]

I've just inherited a workshop with a boatload of hand tools, many of them antique and/or unique, and I simply do not have the means to keep all of these items.

A yard sale or an estate sale would be out of the question as far as getting fair value for these items, so my thinking is that I should engage a pro to appraise these items and then deal with a reputable auctioneer in the field.

I live near the greater Boston area.

Among the items, I've been able to identify and get a decent idea of the worth of about a half dozen planes (Kunz, Primus, Hercules) but I've got a whole bunch of Stanley's and other cabinet making planes that I just can't figure out the value on.

Is there an FAQ on Stanley planes, a tutorial site, or some other web resource that anyone can refer me to? TIA

More pics available at

[Stuart]

I guess watching Ebay for a while might give a clue as to what people are prepared to pay, though whether that gives an insight into prices at specialist auctions I don't know.

Ebay does at least have the virtue of being international and so potentially attracting a much larger audience than a local auction.

[woodyplacebo]

Thanks, but what I guess I'm asking, more specifically, is how can I identify a given plane, given a manufacturer and model number?

A "Stanley No. 5" might have been produced at any time over, say, 80 years, and I'd like to be able to identify when a particular one in hand was produced. With that knowledge, I might indeed be able to compare it to similar items offered on ebay.

I've come across (what I'd call esoteric) terms when I read about descriptions of the base and parts, which is essential to determing the age of the tool, so I'd like to find some reference that tells me what those terms are describing...I mean, I'm a real neophyte at this, I don't know the difference between a "broad-base" and a "flat-base".

[Swingman]

wrote

These are some I've had in my bookmarks for years that might be useful:

[Stuart]

Ah, now I see the problem!

[DGDevin]

identifying a couple of old Stanley planes I inherited and which are now serving a third generation.

[woodyplacebo]

Thank you both, that's an excellent starting point...from what little I've read thus far.

Someone who had seen them years ago said to me "oh just apply some metal polish" to remove stains, and I had at least enough sense to know that would be like applying a corrosive chemical to a valuable old coin.

I'm just vacuuming the saw dust off of them, and let the next owner worry about the appearance and the metal.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should have left the sawdust on, oh well.

Thanks Again.

[Old Guy]

Wow! Looks like you have a treasure--or a lot of treasures.

There is another way to go--maybe not to your interest, but possible.

There's a bunch of old hand tool collectors and users that call themselves Galoots, that have an ongoing listserve discussion. I'm a member myself, just for full disclosure. You can access the group at

you could add your name to the list, and ask if there is anyone in the Boston area who would help you dispossess yourself of the tools. Should be able to find someone fairly knowlegeable about what is what and advise you the difference between treasure and junk. You can probably pay them in tools.

As an added bonus, the group sells tools among themselves. Usually the seller sets a price when he lists the tool, and the first person to ask for it buys it at that price. It seems to work pretty well, as we trust each other. You wouldn't have the fun of watching run away bidding on the 'Bay, but you wouldn't have to pay service fees either.

If you want more information, email me and I can answer questions.

I envy you your job of finding homes for those guys.

Old Guy