Newbie question

[Jay Yoder]

I picked up an old (have no idea on actual age) #5 Craftsman bench plane this weekend for $10, the sole is pretty flat and level but I need to do alot of cleanup to the body and blade. It is a craftsman on the upper part, but has Bailey cast into it right in front of the handle. What does this mean? I saw a stanley also had it cast into it in the same place. Any history would be helpful. Also where can i pick up an inexpensive blade to see if this thing is worth any further work?

[Johnny Kleso]

Hi,
Sounds like a Stanley Bailey Model plane with a Craftsman lever cap (part that locks blade down)..

The lever that adjusts blade Left or Right (Lateral Lever) should have Stanley stamped on it, I'm guessing..

Also what does blade stamp say at top?

[Bill Houghton]

after Viktor Frankenstein's monster, aren't that uncommon. I've created a few myself.

The lever caps are often pretty interchangeable. Having a Bailey plane body is likely a Good Thing, as it's the body and the cutting iron that determine performance, not so much the lever cap.

[Jim Koepke]

Jay,

You may as well learn to sharpen that old blade if it isn't too far gone.

Ask more questions and welcome to the slippery slope.

jim