Tool Talk
Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: Branson on August 11, 2015, 10:58:03 AM
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Not too long ago, we had a discussion of my 4 1/2 plane. Stanley blade, Stanley style lateral adjust lever, but it was marked M 4 1/2, and nothing else. After a bunch of searching, it turned out to be a Marsh 4 1/2. That same searching also showed that Rockford made identical planes to Marsh, which is nearly indistinguishable from Stanley. I ran across an R 5 on ebay and put it on my watch list. It didn't sell, so the seller lowered the price, and it still didn't sell. Well, the price finally reached $12.75. I couldn't stand it any more and bought it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171881313010?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I don't know if it will be as close to Stanley quality as the Marsh, but I had to take the chance to find out. Stanley bought out both Marsh and Rockford, and I know Marsh produced quality tools. The Rockford Tool Co. was a sister company to the H.C. Marsh Co. and both companies occupied the same building in Rockford Illinois. It seems that the Rockford planes were furnished with Lakeside blades, though my 4 1/2 Marsh has a Stanley V logo blade. Maybe I'll keep an eye out for a Lakeside blade and cap iron, as these are missing from the R 5 I just bought. But for now, I'll just put in one of my #5 blade and cap irons.
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You are correct, it should have a Lakeside iron...at least mine does. I like the design better than the standard Stanley/Bailey setup. They are kind of like a less finished Bedrock.
Mike
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You are correct, it should have a Lakeside iron...at least mine does. I like the design better than the standard Stanley/Bailey setup. They are kind of like a less finished Bedrock.
Mike
Thank you, Mike. Can you tell me more about the differences between the Rockwell and a Stanley? Since I'm waiting for the R 5 to arrive there's no way for me to compare.