$32 in an antique alley (co-op) store.
Hey everyone, I just bought a used Bailey #4 of impeccable condition, only very minor
rust streaks (extremely minor!), here and there on the soul casting. I have followed
previous threads in this NG, found plane dating and typing sites and can come as close
as type 19. It was used very very little maybe several "strokes" or swipes on walnut
and it had never even been tuned! The japaning (spelling?) is 100% there and perfect
and the coating on the wooden handles is say 98%. I read that these are rosewood
with a coating that practically obscures the woodgrain, which is true of the tote and
knob on this plane. Not a scratch anywhere on the metal except for the original
machining streaks of the soul (sole?). Did I get a good deal? Is it worth more than
$32?
Also I have seen the pictures of the current production bailey #4 on the Stanley
website and they really look the same, so could it be that this plane is the same but
only right before they switched to plastic tote and knob?
Thanks all,
Alex
Bottom line is are YOU happy with it? A nice #4 for $32 is not
particularly overpriced, and since it is in very good shape as you
indicate, you could likely get more if posted on Ebay (where 80% of
the time folks overpay, IMHO). If it was pre-WWII sweetheart in that
condition it would be worth double, maybe more. All in all for a post
war, likely late 50's plane you did ok and who knows it may tend to
increase in value as time goes by. That's not to say that you can't
find one which has a few more cosmetic "issues" that don't effect
function for <$20; indeed, I have a shelf full of perhaps 8 or 9 #4s
and I never pay more than $10-15, but that's the garage sale "hunt"
part of my madness. So, congratulations, get busy and tune it up and
make some shavings, that's what it was made for.
Mutt.
"AArDvarK" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<xhwBc.5382$5t2.3251@fed1read01>...
> $32 in an antique alley (co-op) store.
>
> Hey everyone, I just bought a used Bailey #4 of impeccable condition, only very minor
> rust streaks (extremely minor!), here and there on the soul casting. I have followed
> previous threads in this NG, found plane dating and typing sites and can come as close
> as type 19. It was used very very little maybe several "strokes" or swipes on walnut
> and it had never even been tuned! The japaning (spelling?) is 100% there and perfect
> and the coating on the wooden handles is say 98%. I read that these are rosewood
> with a coating that practically obscures the woodgrain, which is true of the tote and
> knob on this plane. Not a scratch anywhere on the metal except for the original
> machining streaks of the soul (sole?). Did I get a good deal? Is it worth more than
> $32?
>
> Also I have seen the pictures of the current production bailey #4 on the Stanley
> website and they really look the same, so could it be that this plane is the same but
> only right before they switched to plastic tote and knob?
>
> Thanks all,
>
> Alex
"Mutt"
> Bottom line is are YOU happy with it? A nice #4 for $32 is not
> particularly overpriced, and since it is in very good shape as you
> indicate, you could likely get more if posted on Ebay (where 80% of
> the time folks overpay, IMHO). If it was pre-WWII sweetheart in that
> condition it would be worth double, maybe more. All in all for a post
> war, likely late 50's plane you did ok and who knows it may tend to
> increase in value as time goes by. That's not to say that you can't
> find one which has a few more cosmetic "issues" that don't effect
> function for <$20; indeed, I have a shelf full of perhaps 8 or 9 #4s
> and I never pay more than $10-15, but that's the garage sale "hunt"
> part of my madness. So, congratulations, get busy and tune it up and
> make some shavings, that's what it was made for.
>
> Mutt.
Thanks Mutt, we have a town near here, there are some Hollywood stars that
live there like Malcolm McDowell and Scott Bakula. But the hobby of the
whole town on Saturdays is yard and garage sales, so I need to go. I would
love to find a stanley #45 outfit. The thing about me finding this plane in
my area is that it "just doesn't happen". This area is all schools and churches
and shopping, not "fine hand craftsmanship", many more machine shops
and auto garages. But it sounds by you that I got an average deal and the
seller knew how to price it. Thanks again.
Alex