BAILEY #8 jointer plane

caldwellbob | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 23, 2003 09:06am

Last weekend, while snooping around in an antique store in a little mountain town in Idaho, I came across a 24″ jointer plane with the name Bailey and No.8 on it. It was pretty well rusted up, but after working on it, its coming clean and appears to be in good shape. The sole is flat and fairly smooth and the handles are in good shape, too. Have any of you ever seen or heard of a Bailey? Its a new one on me. The patent date on it is Aug. 1902. I’m hoping its an old, valuable piece but who knows. Fortunately, I didn’t give an arm and a leg for it. Anyone know anything or know where I could get any info on the plane? Thanks………

Replies

CAGIV | Jan 23, 2003 11:42am | #1
Bob,

Lenorad Bailey made planes before stanely bought him out, that much I know from memory. Cant say if the tool is worth anything or not depends on dates condition, how rare it is etc.

Seeing as I was bored and not tired I did a little leg work for you, not sure if any will help but theres some links below that might get you started.

Try a search on Leonard Bailey on google, might help

A small amount of history for you

http://www.antiquetools.co.uk/stanley.html#1996

http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip8/stanley/stan-bpl/bailey-types.htm

Does it look anything like 214

http://www.oregonopportunities.com/auctions/board/dec12_11.jpg

Look at #'s 23 and 24 on the list

http://www.jonzimmersantiquetools.com/tools/pla_list.htm

Edited 1/23/2003 3:46:55 AM ET by CAG

caldwellbob | Jan 24, 2003 08:03am | #6
Thanks for the legwork and the reply, CAG. The plane I got looks like the #214 and also the #24 in the lists you sent. I'm figuring it is an early 1900's vintage. Its cleaning up real nice and I'll bet it will plane like a champ once I can get it back together. The value, according to some of the pictures, is around 200.00. I'll keep it around, though, its too cool to get rid of. Thanks again to everyone who replied, you all gave me some valuable information.........

plinthe | Jan 31, 2003 06:54am | #8
Hi Bob,

I have several old Stanley planes, and the one you have was probably made not long after that. Take a look at ebay to see what they are really worth-probably more around $100 in good shape. Ed is right about changing the blade (it will work much better), just make sure you keep the old one in a safe, dry place. Don't forget that if you repaint it the resale value drops considerably-but if you want to use it and protect it from rust, go ahead. You can even splurge on a really nice new tote and knob for it; take a look at what this guy does: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mike_in_katy/PlaneWood/Default.htm

Have fun flattening those boards!

Plinthe

wflather | Jan 23, 2003 04:39pm | #2
Bob,

Here is a great site for researching Stanley and Bailey tools, also known as "Blood and Gore", it was created by tool geek Patrick Leach and is not only encyclopedic but a very good read as well. Have fun, if the plane is flat and still has a good blade, you have a great tool.

http://www.supertool.com/stanleybg/stan0.htm
BossHog | Jan 23, 2003 05:37pm | #3
Man, I'd sure like to have one of those. My Grandpa had one, and one of my Uncles ended up with it. It sits in his garage, rusty as heck. He won't clean it up, protect it from rust, or sell it to me.

Just FYI - I think the parts from the Record brand of planes are still made from the same specs as those, so the parts will interchange. I know they interchange between the Stanley "Bedrock" series and Record anyway. Woodcraft sells the parts.

The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.
MStehelin | Jan 23, 2003 07:49pm | #4
GO to the Finewoodworking forum. Those guys would know in a flash what your plane is worth

Mitt
PeteBradley | Jan 23, 2003 08:12pm | #5
Assuming the sole is flat rather than corrugated, isn't worth much dollars-wise (and most likely the corrugated one won't be the most valuable tool you own), but look at it this way: you own a plane that weighs nearly 10 pounds! When you've had a rough day, you can pull that monster out and take a few passes. Guaranteed to improve your outlook on life.

Enjoy!

Pete
Azeddie | Jan 24, 2003 06:54pm | #7
I have the same plane, its just a stanley/bailey #8 huge, heavy, will sure tire you out quick...I replced the original blade with a HOCK, instant improvement

makinsawdust
Bruce | Jan 31, 2003 08:44am | #9
Got one, with the serrated dole. I carry it in a long steel box with about a half dozen other specialty planes that I've rounded up, and I use them on finish jobs.

From what I know, you can buy a new No.7 plane, shorter and narrower, but not a No. 8. There is no sweeter tool for for trimming a door edge, in my estimation. The thing has enough mass that once you get it up to speed on a stroke, it sort of floats along the edge until it runs out of wood. I probably have more pride in owning that tool than any other. And to top it off, I'm the third generation in our family to use it.

If you need a new iron for it, you can get it from Garrett Wade, I believe.
wrick2003 | Jan 31, 2003 03:14pm | #10
do a search at http://www.mjdtools.com
Houghton123 | Feb 03, 2003 07:22am | #11
You might try visiting Neanderthal Haven to lurk -- lots of hand tool workers there -- http://www.wwforum.com, then follow link to the Haven. Also, cruise to your local library and look up "The Hand Plane Book" by Garrett Hack.

The Stanley company used and uses the term "Bailey" to denote their high-end line of planes. It's generally a sign of a pretty decent tool.