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Thread: Found an old No. 3 this weekend

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Mattapoisett (on the South Coast of Massachusetts)
    Posts
    4

    Found an old No. 3 this weekend

    I was on the hunt at the local Antique Malls/Flea Markets this past weekend and found an old Stanley No 3 all caked up in dirt from years of use. It was only 5 dollars, so after a very brief inspection I decides to take a flyer on it. I did notice that some work had been done on the Lever Cap, but for 5 bucks who cares? I started to clean it up when I got home and found that the body had been cracked on both sides and was welded and that it actually had a corrugated sole. Disappointed I put it aside and chocked it up to experience.

    After work yesterday I was bored and decided to take another look at the poor little plane, it only took 5 minutes to flatten the sole and another 30 to re-hone the bevel and sharpen the iron. I have to say it works quite well. I can't help but think of the man (or women) who valued this tool so much as to perform such a detailed and quality repair, he must have either been a passionate hobbyist or used the tool everyday in providing for his family. Either way, I'm happy I found it and brought it back to life.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Mattapoisett (on the South Coast of Massachusetts)
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    4
    I should have mentioned also that I'm a new member and this was my first post, but I have been lurking around here for quite a while, thanks for all the great info.

  3. #3
    Welcome John! Glad to have you with us!

    I have a couple #3s and they're among my favorites. Put that baby to work makin shavings!
    Fred

  4. #4
    Welcome to SMC, John! That is a really nice find. Congrats!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Mattapoisett (on the South Coast of Massachusetts)
    Posts
    4
    Thanks for the welcome guys, it was put to work on some beautiful worm holed Butternut last night.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ramona, CA by way of Phliadelphia
    Posts
    270
    Great score, I'm still looking for a Stanley #3.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Broadview Heights, OH
    Posts
    711
    That plane must have been dropped from a 10 story building to get damaged by that. Tough Break. But, what is dead never dies! Just ask those peeps from the Iron Islands.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Mattapoisett (on the South Coast of Massachusetts)
    Posts
    4
    That's what I assumed, must have been using it up on a ladder, maybe doing window trim or some other datil type work.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Bee Cave, TX
    Posts
    39
    Welcome and I have been looking for a #3 for some time now - just being patient but it has been at least 2 years so far - may have to go the ebay route.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Longview WA
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    27,347
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    1
    Howdy John and welcome to the Creek.

    The plane looks like a real Sweet Hart.

    A #3 I picked up cheap also had a big crack I didn't notice. Bought another sole on ebay and now it is a fine little plane.

    Your find is a testament to a time when it was less expensive to repair things than it was to replace them.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Dickinson, Texas
    Posts
    7,655
    Blog Entries
    1
    I've had a #3 for years. It is a favorite. I have 604, 605, and 607 Bedrocks.

    I use the #3 more than the Bedrocks combined.

    Also, it seems like I remember some people repairing cast iron bodies by brazing. I'm curious
    if any of you have heard of it.
    Last edited by lowell holmes; 08-01-2017 at 1:03 PM.

  12. Quote Originally Posted by lowell holmes View Post
    I've had a #3 for years. It is a favorite. I have 604, 605, and 607 Bedrocks.

    I use the #3 more than the Bedrocks combined.
    I am slightly ashamed to say that my #3 Handyman is probably my favorite plane....

  13. #3 is a nice size. Small enough to use one handed when necessary, large enough to be a real smoother.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    twomiles from the "peak of Ohio
    Posts
    12,120
    My #3 sized planes (2..) are both by Millers Falls..aka No. 8

    There is a fellow at "Chisel & Forge" that Silver Brazes iron plane bodies....Has fixed a Millers Falls No. 14 for me.

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