HELP Finding a Plane Iron

[Victor Stearns]

Greetings Creekers,
I am in need of a plane iron for a Stanley/Bailey #3. Does anyone have a good source??
Thanks
Victor

[Michael Faurot]

I believe that's a 1-3/4" wide iron. You'll need to double check that. Assuming I'm right about the width, I believe this is the replacement you'd want directly get from Stanley (http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/12-312-1-02-0c-04.html).

[Brian Kent]

If you want an upgrade blade, the best price I have seen for Hock blades is Craftsman Studio. Discount price ($39) and free shipping:

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/H!BENCH.htm

They also have Lie-Nielsen's replacement blades for Stanleys:

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/A!800.htm

I don't think that is discounted ($35), but it is free shipping.

Brian

[Thom Sturgill]

Lie-Nielsen has this (http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=512) one, and Craftsman Studios carries this (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/H%21BENCH.htm) set of Hock blades (also available direct from Ron Hock (http://www.hocktools.com/products.htm)). All are highly thought of.

[Billy Chambless]

Craftsman Studio has great prices and (currently) free shipping on Hock and LN plane irons:

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/planeblades.htm

[Mike Cutler]

I'd PM Clint Jones here on the board.

[Bill Houghton]

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42607&cat=1,41182,43698&ap=1

I haven't tried Hock or Lie-Nielsen; I got sold on Lee Valley after hearing stories like, "It only took me two hours to flatten the blade," and learning that Lee Valley blades come flat already.

I've got one in my low-angle block plane that I spent maybe five minutes on sharpening (most of which involved getting out the sharpening gear - I've really got to shoehorn a permanent setup into my shoplet) and cuts like a laser.

Good prices, too.

[Tristan Raymond]

I haven't tried Hock or Lie-Nielsen; I got sold on Lee Valley after hearing stories like, "It only took me two hours to flatten the blade," and learning that Lee Valley blades come flat already.


I don't know who said that, but they really should try an abrasive of some sort.

[Rob Luter]

Victor - Woodcraft in Merrillville (http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/store.aspx?id=572) has Hock replacements. If you want the Stanley brand, you used to be able to get a new one from Stanley UK. Otherwise, try Walt at Brass City Tools (brass@snet.net) or try http://www.Thetoolfool.com (http://www.thetoolfool.com/). I'm sure there are others that will chime in with their suggestions as well. I put a Hock in my #3 so I have the original available if you get in a pinch.

[Phillip Pattee]

Of course there is always eBay. St James Bay Tool Co. makes and sells Stanley reproduction parts. http://www.stjamesbaytoolco.com/ I have not used them, but I have been led to believe that they are very responsive when contacted via telephone, not so much via web page.

[Clint Jones]

I probably have at least a dozen of them laying around. -Clint

[Victor Stearns]

photos of plane

[Bill Houghton]

Don't toss it, though - I made a butt mortise hinge plane with part of a bench plane iron as its iron, and it works great. No doubt there are other uses.

[Jim Koepke]

Do you want a blade for use, or do you want one that is correct for the years your plane was made?

This would make a big difference in the price you are going to pay.

If you just want to use the plane, then there are plenty listed above.
I have bought Hock blades and am pretty much satisfied. I also have a lot of original Stanley blades that work fine.

The advantage of many of the specialty blades is their thickness. This is also helpful if you wan to put a back bevel on your blades to simulate a steeper angle for some woods.

Other considerations are how often you will want to sharpen your blade vs how much time you want to spend sharpening. Harder blades do not need to be sharpened as often, but their hardness makes them more work to sharpen.

Some will say the harder a blade is, the bigger the grain size, so the blade will not get as sharp as one in the lower range of hardness.

Lots to consider,

jim