Stanley No. 60-1/2 Low Angle Block Plane

http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com

Read review: http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/?p=714

As a carpenter and sometimes woodworker I have a half dozen specialty panes and related power planing tools in my shop. More often than not, when I need to perform a planing operation, I reach for my block plane. Block planes are the most popular hand plane sold as well as most useful.

I have two: a Stanley No. 9- 1/2 block plane [left] and my vintage Stanley No. 220 block plane [right] in photo below.

A low angle block plane is small enough for one handed finishing or fitting and is useful in almost any planing operation. One big plus for a carpenter is that this handy tool is small enough to fit in my tool belt!

A sharp, properly adjusted block plane can take super thin shavings off a piece of wood being scribed to fit, adjust trim miters, chamfer an edge, fit a door, trim end grain or remove mill marks leaving the woods edge as smooth as glass.

Because block planes do so much for finish carpentry, it's the number one hand plane on the job site, as well as in small wood shops and homeowners toolboxes.

Stanley Tool Company recently sent me a No. 60-1/2 Low angle block plane to test and evaluate. Photo below.

QUALITY STEEL:

When I told a contractor friend of mine that I was evaluating a Stanley hand plane he asked me to inquire about the blade quality and hardness. In my research on this tool I found out that the blade is made from "A2 tool steel."

A2 steel is an air hardening tool steel capable of being hardened throughout. This type of tool steel is used for applications which involve extreme accuracy. A2 steel displays a good balance between hardness, toughness and longer edge retention which is an important requirement to me on a job site.

When I received the Stanley No. 60- 1/2 plane [Model # 12-139] it came in a durable, quality looking box and wrapped in an air tight bag, for moisture protection.

After taking out and holding the plane, my first impression was that it "felt" like quality and had a really nice "fit and finish" to it, which usually indicates quality workmanship and construction went into the tool.

USABILITY:

In my experience most hand planes are not ready to use out of the box.

I've often found it necessary to have to flatten the sole, file the blade bed and re-sharpen the blade before getting the whisper thin cuts I'm looking for. All of these steps are tedious and time consuming but needed to get the plane in top performance.

QUALITY:

I was surprisingly pleased to find that this block plane came out of the box with precision ground sides and super flat, mirror like polish on the shoe bottom. Both met at 90 degrees and really did not need extra adjustments or flattening.




The 1/8" thick blade is ground to 25 degrees and was surprisingly sharp and I was shocked when it passed my "shave the hairs on the back of my hand" test.
No additional sharpening was needed during the week I tested this plane but I have since sharpened it a bit more and added a 5 degree micro bevel to the blade as well as polish flat the back side of the blade.

FEATURES:

Its base and frog are machined as one piece, real classy touch, which will reduce chatter and provide this plane with added stability.

This plane has a solid weight [2 lbs] and ergonomic grip that just "feels' like quality. It's heavier frame will no doubt help to reduce chatter and vibration during use.

User-friendly mechanical adjustment opens and closes the mouth quickly, precisely and was smooth to operate. I really like the quality brass levers and wheels.

To adjust the mouth, a turn of the knob below loosened the tension on the lever which controls the mouth opening.

DEPTH ADJUSTMENT:

The depth adjustment was remarkably easy. Just slightly loosen the lever wheel cap, photo below.

Then adjust the blade with the depth adjustment screw. Lightly tightening the lever cap wheel when satisfied with the blade depth.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

It is hard to say a bad word about the Stanley No. 60-1/2 low angle block plane. I thought it a bit heavy to carry in my tool belt but it's perfect for the shop. The fit, finish, accuracy and the performance of this plane is way, way above average and is priced ready to sell.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• hand plane
• stanley
• woodworking plane
• woodworking tools
• tools
• hand tools
• planing wood
• 60 1/2 low angle plane
• stanley 60 1/2

[TheP0S3ID0N]

thats funny because i have tried a lot of block planes and i have found if it's under $100 its usually not quality. I have tried a old Stanley plane and some new ones and the old ones seem to be lower in quality. the only ones that i have tried that i am completely happy with are the Veritas Block Planes but their $180 to $300.

[concordcarpenter]

@TheP0S3ID0N Veritas is a great plane and definitely a step above

[cambridge1111]

I waited until I could afford a Lie-Nielsen block plane. It cost 170.00 delivered, but is extremely well made, and performs beautifully. I've heard horror stories about the Stanley's (recent overseas builds) and stayed away from them. Let them start making their tools in America again, and I may give them another look.

[concordcarpenter]

@cambridge1111 Can't go wrong with a Lie-Nielson plane but they're costly. My Stanley is still going strong!

[CroppyBoy1798]

Interesting, I was under the opinion that Stanleys quality with regard to planes had plumited drastically. I've heard some reviews of the new Stanley block planes which basically said to stay away from them, to look up an old or vintage Stanley instead. Interesting to hear your high praise for it :)

I have seen a Stanley No5 recently in person, a new one that looked like it was assembled and finished in a third world pre school!

[concordcarpenter]

@CroppyBoy1798 they've changed their approach, if you've noticed SBD is also releasing a bunch of new hand tools - looks like they want to be back in the game again

[smfield]

Thanks for the info. I'd still spend the extra for a Lie-Nielsen

[tubestick00]

@concordcarpenter so you dont think its possible the steel they make these with has lowered in quality in the last 40-50 years? come on. my one of these was a failure. i own many stanley and record hand planes mostly older ones around 20-30 years old. the design of this one is inferior. that cheap little metal tab you rotate around to lock the blade in position is rubbish. the action is anything but positive. anyway dont want to back and forth with you. end.

[concordcarpenter]

@tubestick00 I disagree friend

[concordcarpenter]

It's the Sweetheart

[mrbreezeet1]

Rob, is this the new "sweetheart" 601/2 or the regular stanley 601/2?

You said ~ $100.00 so I am thinking the Sweetheart.

I'm tempted, but for $65.00 more, I might "pony up" for a Lie-Nielsen.

[tubestick00]

its a piece of shit. i bought this exact thing, after a year its brass knob detatched and it became extremely difficult to adjust subsequently. the steel is poor quality. want a good plane, get a 40 year old one thats been looked after.

[wmcrash]

Does it come with a "Made in China" sticker?