Wards Master planes?

[steven c newman]

Just got in a #3 sized one, to refurb. Noticed that the adjuster wheel is a black plastic thingy. Looks like what stanley used during WWII. It also has a twisted lateral lever, ala Union style. Base for the frog has two small squares for the frog to sit on. Looks almost like what Stanley used for their third version. Not quite the "Y" shape.


Timeline for these planes? It has a high knob, but no ring. Steel bolts for the handles. No brass anywhere to be found.263837263838263839Base casting is a thick one, too. WWII era?

[Dave Parkis]

Well, I certainly don't claim to be an expert, but I believe it is WW II vintage. I say that because I've been told that Stanley produced the Wards Master planes and the ones I have are EXACTLY like their Stanley counterparts.

[steven c newman]

Might have this one almost cleaned up263869263870263871 Sides are cleaned up. Iron is now square, and sharp, I think. Not a single piece of Brass anywhere? Yep, a WWII model. Frog has the letter "U" cast into it. There is a "No. 3" on the front end. Looks like a Stanley. The lateral looks more like a Union one, unless Stanley was using that style as well. Nice little plane, a bit heavy though, due to the thick cast iron base....

[steven c newman]

Handles got a re-do, today263951263952263953 the old "finish was thick, vile smelling, and quite beat up. Stripped it off, and added a 50/50 mix of Varnish and BLO. Then a good, hard wipe down with a big handful of Cherry shavings that I just happened to have.....

[Jim Koepke]

The lateral looks more like a Union one, unless Stanley was using that style as well.

Stanley bought Union Plane Company in about 1920. They used a few different designs on their lateral levers.

jtk