Which Stanley plane to actually buy for your project, by era and condition.
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Stanley Bailey bench planesPlanes made before 1960 use better steel than most modern imports. Buy by plane number: #4 for surface work, #5 for stock removal, #7 for jointing.
Bench chisels (vintage)Buck Brothers, Witherby, and P.S. & W. chisels hold edges longer than most modern equivalents. Buy in sets when possible; inspect for cracks.
Drawknives + spokeshavesDrawknives and spokeshaves are the fastest way to remove stock by hand. Vintage Greenlee and Witherby drawknives are common and well-made.
Marking gauges + mortise gaugesRosewood-handled marking gauges with brass plates outlast plastic. Mortise gauges set both lines simultaneously — buy one if you do any joinery.
Brace and bit setsJennings-pattern bits in a brace cut cleaner holes than modern spade bits in most hardwoods. Buy matched sets; mismatched bits wobble in the chuck.
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