Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools by John Walter

Yes, there are woodworkers out there who think that a plane and a planer are the same thing, but it is a rare case. For most of us planes are among the most treasured and most frequently used hand tools. And we all know that modern good quality bench planes produced by Lie Nielsen or Veritas Tools are based to lesser (Veritas) or greater (Lie Nielsen) extend on planes produced by Stanley Tools in their days of glory. Stanley Tools produced other tools as well of course, and they made so many of them that a short visit to a local antique store will almost certainly confirm the obvious: tools made by Stanley Tools are everywhere.  Paradoxically, some of them are very rare, some are rather useless and some so difficult to find in a usable condition that any hand tool enthusiast sooner or later feels rather lost. The fact that collecting antique tools, including Stanley products, became very popular does not help. You don't believe me? Try finding a decent Stanley #46 for a reasonable amount of money... Some desperate souls do not know what to do and they either overpay for various Stanley tools on Ebay or give up. Not all is lost though! There are specialized resources out there that can help every aspiring hand tool user and potential tool collector (the two are often linked to some extent) navigate the treacherous waters of iron products once made by Stanley Tools.

The resource I find most valuable is Patrick's Blood and Gore. Unfortunately, this otherwise excellent reference tool is limited to planes and Patrick Leach does not include average plane values with his descriptions. So here comes another resource, John Walter's Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools - A Guide to Identity and Value. John Walter, at some point known as  "the Tool Merchant", decided to do the unthinkable and he put together a thick reference volume documenting all known hand tools produced by Stanley Tools from the second part of the 19th century until 1950s. The first edition of Walter's work was published in 1990, the second, thoroughly revised and much more desirable, came out in 1996. Both editions are currently out of print and if you are lucky enough to find a copy online or in a second hand book store be prepared to spend a considerable sum of money. It will be money well spend, because the book, together with the aforementioned Patrick's Blood and Gore, will teach you everything you need to know about vintage Stanley- Bailey planes and other woodworking tools once made by the venerable factory.

Unfortunately, since I do not have access to the second edition of Walter's work so my review is based on the original one. The book contains description of  over 1500 various woodworking tools, accompanied by more than 700 tool drawings. In order to give you a better idea of the scope of the book I will include the table of contents at the very end of this review.

The chapters on planes, rules and several type studies are the most interesting and valuable part of the book, but frankly, every bit of information is very relevant and serves as a wonderful reference tool for both collectors and woodworkers who are looking for a particular type of Stanley tool, or who want to see if the tool they have is complete etc. As far as I know, the type studies have been further expanded in the second edition of the book and there is a separate type study of Stanley #46 skewed plane there.

Walter describes every tool in a similar manner. Here is a verbatim description of Stanley #46 plane:

46 Skew Cutter Combination Plane
Features: Skewed cutter, adjustable fence and depth stop, 11 interchangeable cutters, spurs and slitter
Manufactured: 1873 to 1942
Dimensions: 10-1/2 inches long
Cutters: 11 provided: 1/4, 3/16, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 13/16, 7/8, 1-1/2 inch; 1/4 inch tongue cutter; 1-1/2 inch filletster cutter
Construction: Cast iron, rosewood handles and fence
Finish: Nickel plated
Uses: Plow, dado, filletster, and rabbet plane
Notes: Eariler types have a japanned finish.
Average Price: $75-$150
Type 2: $250-$500 (1874 to 1875)
Type 1: $1000 to $1500 (1873). 
(Walter, p. 174)

A drawing of the plane is also incuded. This entry shows why the book is rightly considered a genuine authority on Stanley tools and why fellow woodworkers who are interested in equipping their workshops with vintage Stanley tools should consider getting a copy. Mr. Walter must have put a lot of effort and time into his work, for which all of us should be grateful. I hope a new edition will become available at some point, at least as an e-book.

The promised table of contents:

• Introduction
• How to Use this Guide
• Condition/Value Chart
• Acquisitions
• Historical Overview
• Bit Braces
• Catalogs
• Chisels
• Drills
• Four Square Tools
• Gauges
• Hammers
• Levels
• Miscellaneous
• Mitre Tools
• Planes
• Plumb Bobs
• Rules
• Screwdrivers
• Spokeshaves
• Squares & Bevels
• Tape Measures
• Tool Cabinets & Sets
• Tool Handles
• Trammel Points
• Zig Zag Rules
• Levels Type Study
• Metal Planes Type Study
• Wooden Planes Type Study
• Number 45 Plane Type Study
• Rules Type Study
• Bibliography
• Suggested Reading
• Glossary
• Index

Verdict: 5/5

Audience:  beginners, intermediate, advanced, tool collectors, hand tool enthusiasts

The good: numerous illustrations,very detailed descriptions

The bad: some typos and editorial mistakes, low angle planes not marked as such (perhaps it is not the case in the second edition, I am not sure)

Conclusion: if you can find a copy you can afford you should definitely get it.

Details: 
Author: John Walter
Title: Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools - A Guide to Identity and Value.
Publisher: The Tool Merchant
Number of pages: 455
Published in 1990
ISBN: 1878911007

Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings by Aldren A. Watson

I stumbled upon A. A. Watson's classic a few years ago when I ordered a few hand tool books from my local public library and did not quite know what to expect. Watson's book was a heavy volume in hardcover, with some really charming illustrations on the cover. The title was rather intriguing too: Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings. It sounded a bit like one of those early modern voyage reports. And what a fantastic voyage has it been ever since that first moment... I should have known better...

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Watson wrote the book in 1980s when disco music, plastics, automation and ugly uniform design were en vogue and anything traditional, including hand tools and time-tested woodworking techniques was frowned upon. In those days the old masters were slowly passing into history and with them the knowledge of the fine art of woodworking was fading. Thankfully there were several passionate woodworking masters around who decided to act and preserve their woodworking lore and wisdom for future generations. They wrote books, established traditional woodworking schools and workshops, some even ventured into production of quality hand tools. Slowly, things were turning around...

Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings is A. A. Watson's response to soulless industrialization of the woodworking process. A gifted artist and illustrator, Watson decided to write a book where every major woodworking tool get its own illustrated chapter showing the tool and its use. For Watson the tools he presents are not mere objects, he sees them as a true extension of human creativity, helpful but demanding and moody companions.

The book consists of 31 richly illustrated chapters and a series of appendices at the end of the book (more about them a bit later). Watson devoted the longest chapter (20) to woodworking planes. Every chapter is a treat for the reader and even simplest of tools, like wire brush (6), get a chance to shine. Watson's language is lively and interesting while the pictures are simply unmatched, I have yet to see a book on tools with better illustrations.

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Even though the book was originally published several decades ago, it remains completely relevant, even more so today then before, with hand tool  woodworking undergoing true renaissance and the best hand tool selection in decades. The only section of the book that is dated is the Appendix A, toolmakers (p. 374). Most of the tool manufacturers listed by Watson no longer exist, even though many of their products can be found on the second hand market. 

Despite Watson's best efforts, the chapter on planes (20) is the most disappointing part of the book. The author faced a difficult situation when writing it, as quality planes were really difficult to find those days. He chose to focus on major samples from the glorious past and several contemporary offerings still available in the late 1970s. The resulted in a somewhat hectic patchwork of plane lore, with some very strong bits and pieces and some important gaps. For example, Watson practically skipped molding planes (sadly, in those days molding planes were primarily used as fuel for wood stoves) and he limited the description of most joinery planes to models produced by Stanley Tools, skipping quality planes made in Britain, for example quality Record shoulder planes. Watson describes the awkward Stanley #147 match (tongue and groove) plane, but he fails to mention much better Stanley #48 and #49 tongue and groove planes. Moreover, he skipped router planes altogether! Despite the shortcomings, the chapter on planes is still very interesting and certainly worth reading. 

While I like the whole book a loot, the chapter  on chisels (7) is one of my favorite parts of the book. My personal practical knowledge of chisels is based mostly on Watson's meticulous illustrations in the chapter. Other chapters that I find especially interesting are the chapters on the workbench and vise (2), hand saws (25) and t-bevel (30). You will find the full list of chapters at the end of the review. 

Watson wrote his book as a guide for woodworkers who would like to set up a hand tool workshop. For this reason he gave special attention to appendixes, filled with hard to find information on inventory of a typical hand tool shop (F), plans for basic bench tools like bench hook and miter hook (C) and even advice on fitting a new hammer handle. 

The book is intended for relative beginners and those who had limited exposure to traditional hand tools, but even advanced woodworkers will find it engaging and informative. Every serious woodworker should have his or her own copy and come back to it from time to time. If you can get a hardcover edition (now out of print) it is even better as the size of the drawings is slightly larger. 

And the promised table of contents:

1. Discovery
2. Workbench & Vise
3. Anvil
4. Awl
5. Brace & Bits
6. Wire Brush
7. Chisels
8. Clamps
9. Drawknife
10. Hand Drill
11. File & Rasp
12. Hammer
13. Inshave
14. Jackknife
15. Level
16. Mallet
17. Marking Gauge
18. Mitering Tools
19. Nail Set
20. Pliers
21. Pry Bar
22. Rules
23. Sandpaper
24. Saws
25. Scrapers
26. Screwdriver
27. Spokeshave
28. Square
29. T-Bevel
30. Sharpening

Appendixes:

• A. Toolmakers
• B. Workbench Plans
• C. Plans for Bench Tools
• D. Fitting a Hammer Handle
• E. Closet Workbench Plans
• F. Inventory of Typical Shop
• Index

Verdict: 5/5

Audience:  beginners, intermediate, advanced

The good: fantastic illustrations, clearly written, one of the best sources on traditional woodworking tools

The bad: nothing major, the chapter on planes has some limitations caused by a very small selection of hand planes when the book was written

Conclusion: get it, it is a real treasure! 

Details: 
Author: Aldren A. Watson
Title: Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002
Number of pages: 416
Originally published in 1982
ISBN: 9780393322767