What's the difference......

[James Tibbetts]

Or advantage of a Bedrock 605-1/4 over a regular 605? And the same question for the 604 and the 604-1/2?

Thanks.

[george wilson]

Did your fore bearers ever fly B-29's?

[James Tibbetts]

...not that one...!
Slightly different spelling.

[David Weaver]

Or advantage of a Bedrock 605-1/4 over a regular 605? And the same question for the 604 and the 604-1/2?

Thanks.

They're different sizes and weights. the 604 1/2 is especially heavy.

I can't find any advantage of the special sizes (the quarters and halves) over standards sized planes, though, and don't think it was by accident that 3s, 4s, 5s and 7s sold the most.

604 1/2s are worth a lot, though, if they are flat side and in good shape. I don't know anything about the jr jack size (605 1/4) value, but I have to imagine there are collectors who would like one in good condition.

[James Tibbetts]

Thanks Dave. Didn't know if there was some special target market or application for the fractional sizes. Just curious.

[Sean Hughto]

The 5 1/4 are junior jacks - they are slightly smaller planes often used for students. Patrick says:
#605 1/4 Jack plane, 11 1/2"L, 1 3/4"W, 4lbs, 1925-1943. *

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->This plane is one of the scarcest of the entire Bed Rock series.
Note that this model can't be found with the earlier round sides as it wasn't introduced until after the series underwent the design change of the flat top side and the frog clamping screws.
Because the #605 1/4 is the Bed Rock equivalent of the Bailey #5 1/4, which was a plane favored by the trade schools for manual training, and because the Bed Rock planes, plane for plane, were sold at a premium price over the Bailey equivalents, it follows that these planes didn't sell well to the trade schools, thus accounting for their scarcity. However, the planes were bought by some school districts, and it's possible (or was possible) to find stashes of these planes in schools.


The 604 1/2 is, like the 4 1/2 an oversized - wider- smoother. Some woodworkers like the heft and width, others don't find it that useful. I suppose if you were leveling table tops or wide panels all the time, it might be significantly better than the straight 4.

[James Tibbetts]

Thanks Sean! Good stuff!