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October 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 7

BAILEY WOOD HAND PLANES

Modernized Woodworking

By Larry LeMasters
LeMasters’ Antique News Service

Leonard Bailey (1825–1905) is credited with with a wooden wedge, which was tapped into the
designing and building the first modern bench slot. Planes such as these were popular during the
plane. Originally working for his company (Bailey, Middle Ages in Europe and Asia.
Chaney & Company), he later worked for Stanley Leonard Bailey’s first plane patent, in 1855,
This Leonard Bailey
Rule and Level Company. Bailey, who started out describes a scraper plane with an adjustable cutter. “Victor” plane, circa 1885,
as a cabinetmaker before becoming a toolmaker in The cutting blade was mounted on a plate that is truly beautiful to look at. It is valued
Boston, patented several wood planes and plane pivoted near the sole of the tool. As the angle at $500 in working condition with good patina on its nickel plate.
features, and his designs became industry standards changed, the depth of cut changed, taking heavier
for most wood planes manufactured after 1870. shavings from the wood.
Wood bench planes are hand-held tools used for Around 1865, following the Industrial from wood, ductile iron or bronze which produces
shaping wood. Muscle power forces the plane’s Revolution, Leonard Bailey began producing a tool that is heavier and will not rust.
cutting blade over a wood surface, removing a innovative hand planes with cast iron bodies at his Bailey’s business arrangements with Stanley
pre-determined amount of uniform, wood shavings. factory—Bailey, Chaney & Company, until May Rule were never smooth, and Bailey and Stanley
Nearly all hand planes are used to flatten, reduce 1869. Bailey’s designs revolutionized the wood sued and counter-sued each other for years, arguing
the thickness of, or give a smooth surface to a plane industry, and Stanley Rule & Level (of New patent infringements and commercial espionage.
rough piece of lumber. Hand, bench planes consist Britain, Connecticut) purchased Bailey’s patents And while Stanley Rule and later Stanley Works
of a cutting edge, such as a sharpened metal plate, in 1869. Bailey went to work for Stanley as a tool usurped Bailey’s fame, Bailey will always remain
attached to a firm body. The cutting blade, which designer, and Bailey helped design Bailey, Victor, the true genius behind hand held wood planes.
extends below the bottom of the plane’s body and Defiant bench planes. Stanley Rule became The original Bailey design, purchased by
surface (called a “sole”), slices off shavings of Stanley Works, producing all of Stanley tools. Stanley Rule & Level, is still manufactured by
wood. A large, flat sole guides the cutter blade to Justus Traut and other Stanley designers improved Stanley Works, making the 21st century the third
remove only the highest parts of the rough wood Bailey’s original designs, and these new and century of Bailey Planes production.
surface. After several passes with a plane, the improved hand plane designs became the basis for The Bailey designed hand planes, produced by
surface of the wood is rendered flat and smooth. most modern, hand plane designs manufactured Stanley Rule & Level, became popularly known as
While Bailey perfected the hand plane, he today; however, modern hand planes are made Stanley/Bailey planes. These planes are still highly
did not invent it. Hand planes are ancient tools, prized by woodworkers, who believe Stanley/
originating thousands of years ago. The earliest Bailey planes still represent some of the finest
known examples of a woodworking hand plane hand tools ever made.
were found in Pompeii, but other Roman-era hand Tool collectors also prize Stanley/Bailey hand
planes have been found in Germany and Britain. planes as some of the finest, most beautiful, and
Whether or not wood planes predate ancient Rome most desired hand tools ever manufactured.
has not been proven, but it is highly possible that It is difficult to put a price range on Bailey
hand planes originated in ancient Egypt. planes since age, wear, rust, and eye appeal all
Roman planes resembled the modern planes contribute to price. Planes with an abundance
that Leonard Bailey produced. Roman hand planes of rust are usually not desirable. Also collectors
were manufactured with iron wrapped around a prefer working planes and will often not buy old
wooden frame and an iron blade secured with a planes, even rare ones, which are non-working.
wedge. Look for the words “Bailey’s Patent …”
Early plane frames were usually made from stamped on the brass adjustment knob. Quite often
wood with a rectangular slot cut across the center This Stanley/Bailey 150th anniversary commemorative wood the cutting blade is also stamped; although, cutting
of the frame. The cutting blade was held in place bottom plane, numbered 0104 of 2000, was produced in 1993 blades may have been changed in old planes.
and is valued at $130.

Antique Bailey Wood ← Stanley/Bailey No. 28
plane, circa 1867, wood plane, patented
valued at $120. → 1898, offered on eBay for
$110.

SHOWN L-R: Stanley/Bailey No. 4 wood plane that was manufactured in England, valued at $100 • This Stanley/Bailey No. 5 wood plane, marked “L BAILEY’S PATENT DEC 24, 1867” offered on eBay
for $1,020 • Leonard Bailey’s patented “Compass Wood Plane,” circa 1862, that is still in working condition, valued at $250.