Stanley Bailey No. 4 Bench Plane

Vintage Stanley Bailey No. 4 smoothing plane tuned, sharpened, and test-cut – a clean user-grade bench plane with honest patina, correct replacement lever cap, and original hardwood tote and knob.

Detailed Description

Vintage Stanley Bailey No. 4 Bench Plane – Tuned User Smoother

This is a genuine vintage Stanley Bailey No. 4 bench plane, made in the USA and fully set up as a daily-use smoother. It has the later high front knob, orange “STANLEY” lever cap, and original hardwood tote and knob with a warm, worn-in shop feel. I’ve gone through it top to bottom so you don’t have to start from a rust bucket or a box-store knockoff.

The plane has been completely disassembled, cleaned, de-rusted where needed, lapped, sharpened, and test-cut on the bench. It’s not a showpiece – there’s still honest patina on the body and light cosmetic pitting from its previous working life – but it’s a solid, tuned user that’s ready to make shavings right out of the box.

A correct Stanley lever cap was sourced to replace a damaged original; it matches the period with the same orange logo and casting marks. The original broken-thumb cap is kept as a spare but not included with this sale.

Tool Details

• Model: Stanley Bailey No. 4 bench plane (smooth bottom)
• Origin: Made in USA
• Length: Approx. 9” body length (see photo with ruler)
• Adjustments: Brass depth adjuster, lateral adjuster, adjustable frog
• Handles: Original hardwood tote and high front knob, dark stained finish
• Approximate era: Likely post-war Type 19 era (late 1940s–1950s); Etsy decade listed as 1950s

Condition

• Body & sole: Cleaned and de-rusted with stable grey patina. Sole has been lapped flat for reliable work; some light staining and scattered shallow pitting remain but nothing that affects performance. Edges show normal wear from use.
• Japanning: Original japanning present with typical wear in high-contact areas.
• Iron & chipbreaker: Original-style 2” iron and cap iron. Back flattened at the edge, bevel reground and honed; cap iron tuned to seat tightly with no gap. Plenty of life left in the iron.
• Lever cap: Correct period Stanley cap with orange “STANLEY” logo; cleaned, polished at the bearing surfaces, and waxed.
• Wood: Original hardwood tote and knob are solid with no structural cracks. They show small dings, scratches, and finish wear from decades of use – cleaned and refreshed with boiled linseed oil but not stripped or refinished heavy, so the original character remains.

I aim for clean, stable, and functional, not polished to look brand new. Expect honest wear, patina, and small marks consistent with a vintage user tool.

Restoration Work Performed

• Complete disassembly and inspection for cracks or damage
• Degreased metal parts (mineral spirits), spot treatment with rust remover where needed
• Rust removal and blending with maroon 3M pad and oil, preserving original japanning
• Sole and key contact areas lapped on a flat reference surface
• Chipbreaker nose flattened and tuned for tight contact with the iron
• Iron back flattened at the edge, bevel reground and honed to a sharp working edge
• Replacement Stanley lever cap sourced, cleaned, polished, and fitted
• All metal surfaces treated with Ballistol and finished with paste wax for corrosion resistance
• Tote and knob lightly cleaned and treated with boiled linseed oil, then waxed
• Final assembly, adjustment, and test cuts – produces long, wide curls as shown in the photos

You’ll also receive a printed care sheet with tips on keeping vintage planes clean, oiled, and sharp.

Ideal Use

This No. 4 is set up as a general-purpose smoother:

• Flattening and finishing boards after the jack or jointer
• Cleaning up machine marks on furniture parts
• General bench work for the hand-tool-curious woodworker who wants a real Stanley that’s already tuned

It’s perfect if you want to skip the rehab project and go straight to making shavings.

Shipping & Packaging

• Ships from the USA, carefully packed with the iron retracted and wrapped to protect the cutting edge.
• I use sturdy boxes and padding so it arrives ready to work, not ready for another restoration.
• Combined shipping available if you pick up more than one vintage tool from my shop.

Bullet Highlights

• Vintage Stanley Bailey No. 4 smooth-bottom bench plane
• Made in USA, likely 1950s Type 19 era
• Fully disassembled, cleaned, de-rusted, and tuned
• Sole lapped on a flat reference surface for reliable cuts
• Iron and chipbreaker sharpened and fitted for tight, tear-out-resistant performance
• Correct Stanley lever cap with orange logo – functional replacement for damaged original
• Original hardwood tote and high front knob with honest patina
• Tested on the bench – produces long, wide curls (see photos)
• Finished with Ballistol and paste wax for corrosion protection
• Includes printed care sheet for ongoing maintenance
• Ready-to-work user plane, not a wall-hanger or project