Stanley Number 78 plane

[kxxr]

I was browsing in a farm store today and came across an obviously old Stanley 78 plane Made in England. Does Stanley still make planes in England or is this one just really old? Judging by the dust and the ancient look of the price tag, I'd say it's been there a while. I can't remember for sure but I think the price on it was $125. Next to it was a Bailey in about the same shape - brand new but shelf worn for years. I am not a wood worker, just curious about how these could sit there so long. It is a farm store, so I'm sure it isn't the first place a woodworker would go for a new plane. I should have taken pictures, maybe I could if someone is curious enough.

[gibsontool]

Stanley No 78s have allways suprised me for what they sell for,there appears (at least to me) that there are lots of these around but they all seem to sell for $60 or higher,with lots of them not even being complete.Stanley did manufacture in England but for North American collectors they don't seem to have the value that American made planes do. That plane you refer to appears over priced to me, I'm don't claim to be an expert but I have collected about 400 plus Stanley planes over the last 30 years so I like to think I have a rough idea of prices and what is and what isn't rare.Jim

[Jim C.]

Stanley started making the #78 in 1884 and continued to do so well into the 1980s.  For at least 100 years the #78 was one of Stanley's "bread and butter" planes.  They literally sold millions of them.  When Stanley started to drop various hand plane patterns from its product line in the 1940s, the #78 survived and was eventually manufactured in England.  Unfortunately, from a collector's standpoint, just about every Stanley plane made in England doesn't seem to carry the same value as its earlier produced, USA made siblings.  Unlike Gibsontool, I haven't collected more than 400 planes..... yet, but I've still got more than my share.  Based on my plane collecting experience, only mint condition, still new in the original box, made in the USA, earlier versions (pre-1950) of the #78 could possibly command $125.  I really don't think that a comparable English made #78, still in it's original box, would even exceed $50.  From what I've seen, English made Stanley planes aren't that collectible.

Wow Gibsontool, a collection of 400 planes is impressive!  I wouldn't mind seeing some of your "gems."  Post a few pictures!!

Jim C.     

[Branson]

I think the price is the reason it's still there.  The last one I bought (this year) is missing the fence, but I got it at the dump for around $2.   I think I paid $20 for the other one, complete, but that was years ago.

Stanley Tools in England, yes, they are still in business:

http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/ukmade.html

[scottg]

 In 200 years a Stanley Rule and Level (with the floral pattern on the handle) #78 won't be worth $125 unless it really is the exact first model, in a perfect.. original.. box.

Normal 78's, there are thousands of them available!
The only reason you see them with high prices at antique shops is, they are the only planes they know! Anything less common they never saw.

  Take in a real tool show and you'll see what I mean.

   Made in England?  Stanley moved operations to England some time in the 50's? 
70's maybe?
  Anyway, I am old enough to have bought an English 78 new off the shelf, in the 70's.
    I still have it, near mint and complete.  (tossed the box when I opened it though)
       Yours for $120

OK $85??...................

  How about $65??

$60??
     yours Scott

[kxxr]

If only I needed one.

[rusty]

 Made in England?  Stanley moved operations to England some time in the 50's? 
70's maybe?

When did they start using computer bar codes?
Here's a England made 75 Rabbit in a box with bar codes on it....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STANLEY-SHEFFIELD-ENGLAND-NO-75-BULLNOSE-RABBET-PLANE-MINT-BOX-/150702189132?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23168cea4c

[scottg]

Made in England?  Stanley moved operations to England some time in the 50's? 
70's maybe?

When did they start using computer bar codes?
Here's a England made 75 Rabbit in a box with bar codes on it....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STANLEY-SHEFFIELD-ENGLAND-NO-75-BULLNOSE-RABBET-PLANE-MINT-BOX-/150702189132?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23168cea4c

I am not sure when bar codes were first introduced, but the planes they made day before yesterday all have them. :)
   They are still making these planes in England as far as I know.
yours Scott

[kxxr]

In 200 years a Stanley Rule and Level (with the floral pattern on the handle) #78 won't be worth $125 unless it really is the exact first model, in a perfect.. original.. box.

Normal 78's, there are thousands of them available!
The only reason you see them with high prices at antique shops is, they are the only planes they know! Anything less common they never saw.

  Take in a real tool show and you'll see what I mean.

   Made in England?  Stanley moved operations to England some time in the 50's? 
70's maybe?
  Anyway, I am old enough to have bought an English 78 new off the shelf, in the 70's.
    I still have it, near mint and complete.  (tossed the box when I opened it though)
       Yours for $120

OK $85??...................

  How about $65??

$60??
     yours Scott

Your mastery of all things planar notwithstanding, a cursory google search by one not so knowledgeable (me) does not turn up so many new Stanley No. 78 planes just sitting new on the store shelves waiting to be bought. And, while ads can be found for very low to very high prices, and there are undoubtedly thousands upon thousands throughout the world lying around in various states of repair and disrepair; the going rate for the few like examples seems to be just over a hundred bucks. About $125 to be exact.
Also, as I am now wondering if I have ever been to a "real" tool show, how does one best tell?

[scottg]

I didn't realize the one you saw was in a crisp box.  That makes a difference.
Not $125 for a made in England, but still a lot of difference.

So tell me, how were the box corners? Stanley was still using orange staples/corner reinforcements for a while and then went to plain paper boxes.  I expect this makes some difference too.
Although my 1970's model came in a staple reinforced box (I remember). I thought that looked like an old technology at the time.
But I bought mine from Silvo hardware, an old school store. 
  Who also sold me #2 phillips driver bits with a brace shank, and actual dowel auger bits for a brace too, right off the shelf. (wish I could have bought 100 each of these)

If I'd had any money to spend they still had boxwood handled (or rosewood your choice)
  Marples crank neck pattern makers chisels for sale too.  (I'll take 220 sets please) 
   
your Scott

[johnsironsanctuary]

Saw an incomplete one on ebay the other day. It was mismarked as a Stanley 101. It was BIN for $19.95

[gibsontool]

Jinc. I don't know how to post pics but it's my turn for a giveaway next week so I plan to get my daughter to try and show me how. I'll try to post some pics of my collection at the same time. Jim McManus

[walker]

stanley took over the firm of chapman here in about 1934,and made
stanley planes from then.i believe g.a. chapman.
brian

[Branson]

Made in England?  Stanley moved operations to England some time in the 50's? 
70's maybe?
yours Scott

Older than that:

"1937: Stanley Works entered the UK market with the acquisition of J.A Chapman of Sheffield"

And the story is more complicated"

"The Stanley Works, originally a bolt and door hardware manufacturing company located in New Britain, Connecticut; was founded in 1843 by Frederick T. Stanley. A few years later, in 1857, Frederick's cousin, Henry Stanley, founded The Stanley Rule and Level Company. In 1920, The Rule and Level Company merged with The Stanley Works and would go on to become its famous Hand Tools Division."

[J.A.F.E.]

Barcodes started showing up in supermarkets in the mid 70's. The DOD started using them in the early 80's on contracted purchases so I would think sometime between the mid 70's and early 80's they would show up in the rest of the retail world.