Stanley #55 Chest

[Ray Newman]

Really should build a storage box/chest for my #55 as the flea market cardboard box it came in is deteriorating. Luckily, the wood boxes for the cutters are not damaged or missing.

Did the original #55 wood boxes have fitted compartments/dividers for the various parts? Once saw what was claimed to be an original #55 chest with dividers and the wood boxes for cutters were on the end(s) the chest? Have also seen chests with the plane assembled and various parts and cutter boxes loose in the box.

Did a Google search and the few pictures that came up did not show the interior very well. Did a search here, but nothing came up concerning the #55 chest/box.

Appreciate any help, ideas, etc.

[Jim Koepke]

The boxes holding the cutters and plane changed over the life of the plane's manufacture. Some were made of metal.

The wooden box mine came in is kind of beat up, but if my memory works, my camera will come along to the shop today and images will be posted later.

If your set has individual boxes for the blades yours is likely earlier than mine.

Does your #55 have the straight knickers or the cloverleaf style?

jtk

[Joe Bailey]

397808
397809
397810

[Ray Newman]

Jim Koepke: My #55 has the straight knickers

Joe Bailey: thanks for the photograph. Really helpful.

[lowell holmes]

Are these the knickers you are talking about? :rolleyes:

https://www.google.com/search?q=knickers+pants&rlz=1C1UCRO_enUS813US813&oq=knickers&aqs=chrome.5.69i57j0l5.12111j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Jim Koepke]

You would be surprised how many times nickers with a k has almost slipped by me. Every once in a while it does.

My #55 box is similar to Joe Bailey's:

397854

An interior view:

397855

Joe's looks a bit better refined than mine.

jtk

[Mike Hutchison]

Like Ray Newman I have been looking for clear photos of the interior layout
of a wooden box for a pre-thumbwheel depth adjustment No. 45 (Type 3)
Have had a finger joint wooden box sitting for some time now;
need to get on the interior and hopefully some repro stickers for exterior.
Most all of the pictures I have found of boxes that I think are close to the
vintage of my plane are taken from the side/s or end with a little "wedge" view of interior.
If anyone has a clear "plan" view of the inside of the box for 45 before the cutters had nicks
I would like to see a picture. Not saying that I will adhere to such a layout in the nth degree
but it would be nice as a starting point. Thanks for any consideration / information.

397858

[steven c newman]

397863397864397865397866
Copied from the OEM box...I have to dis-assemble the plane..
397867
Otherwise, the plane don't fit..
397868
Cutter stowage..
397869
OEM box on top...
397870
Tried to match it as close as I could...
Imagine that the 45 box is quite a bit smaller than the 55's box...

The OEM box arrived in the Mail from Toronto, Canada. USPS appeared to have kick the box around quite a bit,,,lid was broken apart..
Type 20 SW, from Roxton Pond, QUE. CAN.

[Jim Koepke]

I have been looking for clear photos of the interior layout
of a wooden box for a pre-thumbwheel depth adjustment No. 45 (Type 3)
Have had a finger joint wooden box sitting for some time now;
need to get on the interior and hopefully some repro stickers for exterior.

There may be no images of such a box. My recollection is the wooden boxes for the #45 didn't come until later.

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan6.htm

Has an image of a type 5 - #45 with its cardboard telescoping box.

jtk