Several years ago I bought a poster depicting the H.O. Studley tool chest. If you engage in even the most basic woodworking projects, you’re likely very familiar with this tool chest and its contents. The wall mounted tool chest is an absolute work of ingenious, functional art that’s filled with more than three hundred tools, several of which are old Stanleys to include a #9 block plane and a #1 bench plane to name a few. Anyway, like I said, I’ve had the poster hanging in my shop for several years now. I think I bought it and hung it in my shop for inspiration. While I am inspired by it, I doubt I’ll ever make anything as beautiful or as brilliant as that tool chest. It’s really a classic. Mr. Studley, its creator, worked as a craftsman at the Poole Piano Company into his eighties. He died in 1925. Maybe you’re wondering where I’m going with this. I’ll get to the point. Well, this past weekend I was out in the shop working on a drawer for the vanity in my master bathroom, when I stopped to look at that poster hanging on the wall. I wasn’t looking for inspiration considering the fact that I was just making a simple drawer. Still, for some reason, I studied the poster and out of the blue, asked myself, “I wonder if there’s a Stanley #97 somewhere in that tool chest?” After all, one of the most iconic tool chests of all time belonged to a piano maker. In its inventory of tools, was there a #97 chisel plane?
Stanley #97:
This might be another example of Stanley trying to fill a niche in the woodworking world, this time specifically aimed at piano makers. Part of Stanley’s description and adverting associated with this plane mentioned that it would be useful to piano makers and cabinetmakers. Hhmm, piano makers……. Although I’ve had that poster for a while now, I never even remotely wondered if Mr. Studley used a #97 or if he just used chisels in its place. The Stanley #97 was in production from 1905 to 1943, so it would have been available in Mr. Studley’s time. Prior to writing this post, I did a little research and could not conclusively determine if a Stanley #97 chisel plane was included in the tool chest or not. If someone reading this knows for sure, please let the rest of us know.
As one can see, a chisel plane is an extremely specialized tool. It’s really most perfect for cleaning up internal corners (like glue squeeze out) in cabinets (and pianos I guess). The same job could probably be accomplished with a sharp chisel, however, the sole of the plane might keep the iron from digging it, which could happen with a chisel held at a high angle. It’s an interesting plane for sure, but not necessarily one that I’d put near the top of my “must have” list to use. At ten inches long, it’s hardly compact enough for internal cabinet work. I often wondered why Stanley didn’t make a smaller version. You may recall that a while back, I featured a Lie-Nielsen chisel plane, the #97 ½ (see page 11, reply 164) that was modeled after the Stanley #97. At six and a half inches long, the L-N #97 ½ made more sense I think. L-N also made a full size (ten inch long) #97, but ceased production at some point, perhaps because the larger version just didn’t sell. As far as I know, L-N’s smaller version is still in production and sells for about $140. That’s a lot of money for a specialty tool, but in this particular instance, if one really wants a chisel plane to use, then it’s the way to go. Original Stanley’s, in undamaged condition (which I’ll discuss), typically sell for several hundred dollars.
If one were to remove the pressure cap and iron, he/she would see that the leading edge of the plane’s sole tapers down to essentially nothing. Can you imagine how easily it would chip? A small chip or two probably would not effect the plane’s function, but to a collector……forget it. I’ve seen more that a few that have been chipped. The front corners are also something to watch out for. Those can also be damaged, chipped etc. I’ve read more than once that Stanley very slightly relieved the front corners to avoid that problem. I’ve seen planes with relieved corners, and some with ninety-degree corners. Might both have been Stanley factory induced, or a later “cleanup job” by a less than honest vintage tool enthusiast/collector/dealer? The point is simple; look closely at the front edge and corners if you’re considering a #97 for your collection.
Believe it or not, as basic as this plane seems, it did undergo a few changes during its production run. I think a Type study concluded there were seven Types that were manufactured between 1905 and 1943. As one can see, its iron advancement/retraction screw mechanism was very similar to many of Stanley’s common block planes. One of the more significant improvements was added to the main body casting around 1907. Look closely at the sidewall cut outs/arcs. See that quarter spherical bump on either side of the iron adjustment screw? I suspect those “bumps” were added to the casting for purposes of providing strength to the casting itself. By opening the sidewalls up so easy access to the iron adjustment screw could be achieved, perhaps a weak spot was created across the casting beneath the screw mechanism. I guess it's possible that if a craftsperson really got behind the plane and pushed the leading edge into a corner of a workpiece, the plane might crack at its weakest point......probably right under those arcs. The bumps must have added some bulk to the casting and solved the problem to some extent.
The plane depicted below is a Type 6 that was most likely manufactured between 1931 and 1935. Notice that it has a tall rear knob, much like one might see on the front of a typical bench plane. That’s a correct knob for that time period of #97 production. Pre and very early Type 6 planes came with lower, more-squat looking rear knobs. Also, the barrel nut holding the knob to the threaded post was nickel plated later in production. Earlier barrel nuts were polished brass.
As always, if you’re looking to add an original Stanley #97 to your collection, look it over carefully and do your homework. Really scrutinize the front edge of the main casting!! And if you really want to use a chisel plane, buy the Lie-Nielsen version or possibly use the back half of a 90 series rabbet plane (see page 2, reply 25).
Jim C.
