Just a little while back, we started talking about fiberboard planes. At the time, I had zero experience with them as a hand plane collector other than the knowledge that they existed. Prior to our conversation here in the thread, I hadn’t even picked one up. Decades of collecting and using planes and I knew nothing about the Stanley #193. With just a little searching around, I tracked down a pretty good early example with most of its parts. I know what you’re thinking, “Jim’s always telling us to buy complete examples of planes, particularly when they include lots of parts. Chasing parts is no fun and can be expensive.” Okay, I broke the rule. That being said, I had a little trouble determining what parts were included with the three versions of the plane, those being the #193, #193A and #193B. When I bought the first plane (I ended up buying two) I was confident that all the parts were present and accounted for. Well they were if I had purchased the #193 version of the plane (and still one cutter was missing). Anyway, I eventually tracked down another version of the plane, the #193A, and pretty much collected all the parts necessary to present all three versions of the Stanley fiberboard plane.
What I determined was that the #193 included everything necessary for using the six re-useable cutters. The #193A included everything needed to use both re-useable cutters as well as the disposable razor blade cutters. And, it performed the most functions, to include cutting circles in fiberboard. Finally, the #193B was a stripped down model that only used disposable razor blade cutters and did not include a fence assembly. It was capable of making partial depth slit cuts, through-and-through cuts and “V” grooves (all with the assistance of a strait edge). The other thing to notice about the #193B is the fact that it included one re-useable blade and four disposable razor blade cutters. That re-useable cutter is thinner gauge steel than the other five re-useable cutters included with the #193 and #193A. It’s only as thick as the disposable razor blade cutters. Just something to think about if you come across one of these planes and you’re thinking about it for your collection.
Although I searched through my “go to” reference materials and online sources, there doesn’t seem to be too much information about these planes. What I did find was incomplete information and some conflicting information. Using an earlier instruction manual I found online, and a later version that came with my #193A, I think I got everything figured out in terms of what parts came with what versions of the plane. What I also learned was that older examples of the plane were outfitted with traditional rosewood knobs and totes and were attached to the main body casting with typical threaded rods and brass barrel nuts. Later examples of the plane used stained hardwood knobs and totes that were attached to the main body casting with slotted head screws. Take note of the last two photos below. See how the light colored hardwood is visible on the bottoms of the one knob and tote set? Other than that, none of the other parts differed in visual appearance and function between earlier and later examples. All three versions of the #193 overlapped each other in terms of years in production.
Stanley #193: 1933 – 1943
Stanley #193A: 1936 – 1952
Stanley #193B: 1940 – 1958
So there you have it. It’s probably a lot more than you’ll ever need to know about the Stanley #193 fiberboard plane. And now that you’ve seen what versions of the plane included what parts, there’s no excuse for buying one that’s incomplete!!! Do your homework.
Jim C.
