Vintage Stanley Bailey No. 5 Cordovan Jack Plane

A solid mid-century Stanley Bailey No. 5 jack plane from Stanley’s cordovan (burgundy) finish era, professionally cleaned, tuned, and put back to work. This one is a true user: original finish, original knob and tote, and a sharp iron that’s ready to make shavings out of the box.

I do not repaint or over-polish—this is a well-sorted working plane with honest patina, not a shiny wall hanger.

Details

• Maker: Stanley
• Model: Bailey No. 5 jack plane
• Era: Cordovan / “Type 21” era, approx. late 1960s–1970s
• Origin: Made in U.S.A. (marked on body and iron)
• Length: approx. 14 in (35.5 cm)
• Iron width: approx. 2 in (5 cm)
• Finish: Original burgundy/cordovan japanning, yellow-field Stanley lever cap
• Handles: Original hardwood knob and tote, factory-style varnish intact
• Includes printed care guide

Markings

• Body: Cast “BAILEY” at toe, “No 5” and “MADE IN U.S.A.” in the bed
• Iron: Boxed STANLEY over MADE IN U.S.A.
• Frog / body codes: Foundry casting codes present (documented in my shop records)

Work Performed

This plane has been fully serviced in the shop:

• Disassembled, cleaned, and de-rusted
• Mineral spirits wash to remove grime and old oil
• Rust removed with Evapo-Rust, WD-40, and 3M pads on bare steel only
• Original cordovan japanning preserved; no repainting
• Sole & sides
• Checked on a granite reference plate
• Lapped at 220 grit until there was solid contact at toe, ahead of the mouth, behind the mouth, and at the heel
• Left with a functional working finish and visible patina rather than ground to a mirror
• Iron & chip breaker
• Iron back flattened in the working area and the bevel resharpened
• Chip breaker edge dressed and mated to the iron with no light gap for good chip control
• Mechanicals
• All screws and adjusters cleaned and lubricated (tiny touch of Hoppes on the adjuster threads)
• Depth and lateral adjusters move smoothly and hold setting
• Woodwork
• Knob and tote cleaned only—no sanding or refinishing to keep the original varnish and honest hand wear
• Condition is smooth in the hand with no cracks
• Protection
• Metal surfaces treated with Ballistol and finished with paste wax
• Wood treated with beeswax and buffed

Then it was reassembled, set up, and test-tuned to produce clean shavings.

Condition

• Functionally: Excellent user. Flattened, sharpened, tuned, and ready to go to work on a bench the day it arrives.
• Cosmetically:
• Original cordovan japanning in very nice condition with only small wear spots and speckling from age.
• Sole and cheeks show staining and light pitting appropriate to a vintage tool; I did not grind aggressively just for cosmetics.
• Knob and tote show minor dings and finish wear from normal use but are smooth and comfortable, with no structural issues.

Please review the photos carefully—they’re part of the description and show the exact plane you’ll receive.