Stanley Type 17, the WW 2 era

For most manufacturers of the day, many materials became scarce and reserved for the war effort, Stanley had to change up a bit its products. Some models were dropped during the war years, but the ones that remains shows various type of materials and finished, not seen before.

Jan 20 1943

The Stanley Works was awarded the coveted E (Excellence) award

Pic Commons Wikepedia

Can you spot the black sheep in this line up ?

Way at the end... Times 2

The Stanley Bailey bench plane that we know, did not escaped unscattered from theses restrictions.
As a results of the fluctuating demand and resources available, all bets are off trying to nail down a "typical" TYPE 17 1942-1945.  Remember the USA did not entered the war until after Pearl Harbour Dec 1941.

And muddying even more our efforts, Stanley was well known to used up previous parts inventory.

Stanley No 3 Type 17

This pic is from a previous rehab, taken 30 Apr 2005

You'll see later how she fare all these years, was my user

As a results, things can get confusing, but nonetheless, they have certain characteristics unique to them.

- The bottom casting is heavier and thicker

L-R

No 3 Type 17, No 3 Type 17, No 5 ordinary (any other Types)

From L-R

No 5, No 3 Type 17

- Although they have the machined surfaces ready for it, NOT ALL bed receiver are tapped and equipped for the frog screw adjust.  Some Do, some Don't

This one has it

This one does not.

The only operations skipped would had been drilling two holes and tap threads

- The bed have simply MADE IN USA on them between the frog and tote.

This one, DOES NOT have provision for frog adjust screw

And this one DOES

Incidentally, this is the one I just de-rusted and touched up the paint

- The new kidney shape hole lever cap, which started under Type 16 1933-1941 (Pat 1935) should be present, but some older lever caps are known to shows up

On the left the lever cap from the Handyman H1204,

 on the right the lever cap from No 3, with Pat date.

Showing the difference without or with a spring back

- Nickel being reserved, the lever caps are not plated, just polished steel

From L-R

Lever caps from: Bedrock 602 (older design), No 3 Type 17, No 7 Type 18

The first one has lost most of its plating to rust, the second is brushed steel finished, the last one is nickel plated but un-cleaned

- Due to restrictions on brass, the usual two parts affair (threaded steel shaft and brass barrel nut) for the knob and tote are replaced by a single piece steel screw.

- Ditto for the usual brass blade adjuster wheel.  Some have a Hard rubber coated steel insert wheel, others simply a steel wheel.  That so called hard rubber, almost look like bakelite to me (??)

This appears to be made in three (3) parts.

The steel insert for the threads part, covered in some hard rubber (plastic?)

and a steel insert in front of the threads part so the stud won't chew the plastic

On this one it sport a steel wheel.

And NO, not only the steel one have the frog adjust screw

Not unique to them, since it became the defacto cheaper standard later, was the introduction of plain painted hardwood handle versus the usual exotic wood (rosewood).

Now, lets see how that Type 17, I was waiting the paint to dry, ended up

From this

To this

From

To this

OK, so that is 10 planes done, remains only...164.
You know, having many choices is both a godsend and a curse at times...

Oh, and that earlier pic were I shown you a plane Type 17, taken in 2005?
Here how she look now, as pulled from my user stable.

Top to bottom

Stanley No 3 type 17 last tuned, Apr 2005.  In service since.

Stanley No 3 Type 17 just refurbished

The MF no 8 used to be my GoTo No 3 size plane, but then I got a nick on the blade so I then switch over to that freshly tuned No 3 type 17.
See what I mean? It's a curse having too many :-)

Bob, who is slowing down.  Need a  change of pace :-)
BTW, that MF just went thru its Periodic Inspection, awaiting sharpening to be back in service

Private 1st Chevron Demers, ready for inspection Sir

Circa 1978. Since then our Uniforms went thru a few changes and our service weapon also changed. Wow, I'm getting old :-)