Well Rex, As a young man in the boat shop I spent hundreds of hours with a plane in my hands. Here are a few thoughts: The #3 was very popular with boat builders because it is very light, you can use it all day without fatigue, and it will follow a sawn winding curve (rolling bevel on the edge of a shaped plank) without altering it's shape, just smooth out the saw marks down to the line. The #4 or 4 1/2 will not do that. Or, if you open the throat and fit a more cambered blade you have a scrub plane for planing wet rough wood, maybe hot straight from the steam box - another shipwright problem solved. The #4 1/2 was most popular with the joiners for smoothing hardwood, especially the #4 1/2 C - yes the weight is important for shooting through knots as well.. The #5 1/4 was popular with shipwrights because it is lighter and easier to carry around the shipyard or marina - tool boxes get very heavy very quickly! My carry around plane was a wooden jack with a "technical" handle - reduced thickness of the plane body behind the blade box to put the grip lower to the wood, which makes and the plane lighter and is more ergonomic - shipwrights do a lot of planing! I disagree with your characterisation of the #6. It is called a fore plane because it would be used before a jointer, never a smaller plane. I would finish a panel or door flat and shiny with my grand father's #6, and never go back to the #4 or 4 1/2. And yes, Stanley called the #7 a "trying" plane - to "try" out an edge before using the full sized #8 "door" jointer. In a modern shop, there really is no need for anything longer than the #6 or 5 1 /2 if you have one, however in nearly 50 years I have never met a tradesman who used a 5 1/2. Corrugated soles are useful for waxy or wet wood because they break the suction. I have often heard it said that they reduce friction, which is not technically true - friction is dependant on the contact force and nature of the 2 surfaces, but independent of the area in contact (grade 11 physics). However, C soles are not a good choice for narrow stock, such as the edge of 1/4 ply or plastic laminate, because the grooves can catch on the stock and pull the plane off line or damage the work. Cheers! GDA

How I chose which planes to buy? Whichever one I stumbled across at a yard sale or auction😄

I worked as a patternmaker at a UK foundry in the 70s they cast 100s of Stanley planes every week, I always wondered where they all went. Ps if you take your planes apart and they are stamped with a CF or Q these were cast at Crane foundry or Quacast.

Hooray, Stella! Thank you for sharing that wonderful drawing! And thank you Rex, too. ;)

Rex, I learn something from you every time I watch your videos. Keep figuring it out. You are the man. And yes I am a newbie woodworker. My wife said I needed something to do after 45 safe years cross country driving. Thank you and God Bless. Be careful, stay safe.

This is such a good topic to cover that I can't believe I haven't seen anyone do it before. It's kinda genius

I started woodworking last year and only had a no. 5 and it really was all I needed to get started and do lots of quality work

Recently I bought a new No 4 Stanley Bench Plane. The sides aren't square to the bottom so I can't use it on a shooting board. I didn't even know that was a thing when I bought it, so beware, take a tri-square with you when you buy a plane. Apart from that it worked very well once I found out I had to sharpen it. Thanks for the videos Rex. I'm finally taking the plunge with hand tools.

We recently lumbered a 36" maple, a 36" white ash, and a 32" pecan. After drying, we tried planing with a Rigid (Home Depot) 13" planer with 2 HSS knives kzfaq.infoUgkxIzvvTi3_Qc8JnVdYYRJCvuoDC4QjTzeL . This job was clearly too much for that machine. The pecan was particularly difficult, due to heavy mineral deposits, and a sharp pair of HSS knives would be consumed by a mere 3 boards. We were also having lots of problems from chip bruising, due to poor dust collection. The shavings came off like straw and jammed in the 4" hose.We bought the DW735 simply to be able to run carbide blades, which worked brilliantly for the pecan. However, we found it to be a much, MUCH nicer machine. It was far more rigid than the "Rigid" planer, and far more accurate as well. But what I liked most about it was the dust feed. This machine has its own blower, which shreds the "straw" like shavings as they come off the cutting head and helps boost the shavings into the dust collection system. No more clogs! It's also nicely sealed so that the internals stay quite clean. This is just a well tempered machine that's a delight to use. It literally cut the labor in half. Just another example of getting what you pay for.

Just picked up my first Stanley plane at an estate sale for $10. I'm hooked!!

Like the drawing, well done Stella! I like the adjustability of the metal planes but there is something magical about a long wooden plane, particularly with a Marples blade.

Fantastic video!! Believe it or not, the minimalist set you recommended is exactly what I’ve been using for years and couldn’t be happier. I did add a low angle block plane to the mix and that’s been a great addition.

As a newbie who has been trying to figure out the plane game, this was a perfect overview. I’m disabled and will be relying on power tools because I simply wouldn’t be able to to make any kind of progress using hand tools but can see that I might appreciate a hand plane or two so this was a huge help because all the numbering was confusing, not from a sizing standpoint, other than that the 1/2’s are wider not longer, I haven’t seen a 1/4 yet. The confusion was, which are best to get for beginners and in what order and for what specific use case. Thanks!

So much info here in so little time! Thank you Rex. Brava, Stella!

Heck yeah! Another plane video! Also nice thumbnail!

You're absolutely spot-on! I've been using three similar planes for many years. For most of your work, they're all you need. But the great thing about having all those planes out there is, everyone's hands are different. You can pick whatever feels right.

Thank you so much Rex, I was looking for which ones to get as a hobbyist and home improvement kind of guy.

Thanks for publishing this. Kudos to Stella! I haven't purchased a No. 3 yet but have a 4 and a 5 Craftsman made by Millers Falls. It took me a while to understand which plane to use for what. They and a No. 220 Stanley block plane have doe well for me so far.

Thanks for putting them in groups and explaining it so someone that doesn't have any planes, nor any power tools that perform the same function, can understand. I have asked many others which planes to start with, and I've received as many answers as the number of times I asked the question. This makes it easier to decide which plane to get as my first one, and if I can't find one in decent condition for a decent price, what my alternatives are.

In process on restoring a fully adjustable #4 that was in my grandpa’s toolbox, using your videos as a guide. Thanks Rex!

I'll bet I'm not the only one who doesn't want to be saved from ending up with a bunch of planes we don't need... For some of us, that is the goal. And Stella's picture was brilliant!

This video is just what I needed to get what I need! Where I live almost everyone uses power tools, so their isn't much quality info on hand tools. I'm trying my best to gather hand tool knowledge and wright it down so I can teach people about hand tool woodworking! Thank you very much Rex! P.S. Your daughter is a great artist!

I love your videos! I'm a beginner wood worker and I only have the Stanley No. 4... I'm very happy with it. I was able to build a screen door, 2 tables, 3 shelves and a door.

Thank you for the video. I just found a No. 4 and No. 5 that are in a great shape at a great price. I’m looking forward to cleaning them up and using them.

Hey, Stella! Thanks for letting your dad do this one. I was glad to see it, helped me a lot in understanding planes.

Hi Rex. Thanks so much for this video. As always very informative and factual. Truly enjoy the focus you place on practicality!

Hi Rex, I just bought a type 19, no. 4 at our local market (Adelaide, Australia). Just like a kid with a new toy I rushed home, looked up the vintage, then came to you for advice. I'm thrilled to find that I wasn't ripped off. Looking forward to painstakingly restoring it. Also have fond memories of my preschool age son doing exactly the same as your Stella. Ahh sigh... (he's nearly 30 now) .

14:42 Ok, this is now the second video of yours I've wanted to like twice. Bravo

I have 3-8 Stanley planes and I use them all , I also setup a # 3 as my hog the wood off plane and it works great for that. Awesome video and I learned something , now a video on the transition planes would be fitting as well

Hello Rex, As usual your videos are stellar with great content, well prepared, and the fact your daughter was so quiet is awesome. My 18 yr son also enjoys your videos since you do such a great job of explaining what you are trying to get across to everyone. I wanted to say thank you for the information in the video because I was blessed to find an old Bailey No 7 that is in great shape for under $20, the front knob is missing but everything else is still in tack just needs some TLC. Since I live in Northern California this is a real find besides all the other tools that this person was selling that belonged to his wife's father. I will be looking through your videos to find ones on restoring this plane and the other tools. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Thank you, Stella! (I actually teared up a little at the end) Love the positive energy in the Krueger house! Peace :)

Great Video as always. The only thing that I would add to this kit is a block plane of some kind. I love my 60 1/2!

Rex, thank you for the very informative video. When I was researching planes for my woodworking purpouses I decided I needed somthing very compact, easily to disassemble for maintinance purpouses, and easy to transport for my " portable wood working kit". The end result I settled on was a Stanley Trim Plane ( purchased at a hardware store for round about $10.00). It's very versatile for it's size, fit's snugly alongside about 25 different small hand tools inside it's transport case ( which is 8 in. × 8 in. By 2 1/4 in. Deep) and is easier then pie to maintain and disassemble should the need arise. Hope this info helps. Please thank Stella for sharing the lovely picture and wonderful well wishes for me.

Great video! I had to go buy each, or multiples of, from 3 to 8. They look great in the plane till I made for them but like you came to realize that the only planes I use are block, 4, 5, 7 and a low angle jack(veritas). I work out of a small shop and it is a battle to keep free space in a 10' x 16' footprint. I plan on making a killer wall cabinet and need to "thin the herd". My plan is to get a LN 4 1/2, 5 1/2 and 7 and sell the rest. This way I can fit them in the cabinet and condense my planes, marking tools, chisels etc. in one place. This will allow me to get rid of other tills and storage. It is an ongoing process.

Glad I watched all the way to the end... otherwise I would have missed Stella's drawing. When my daughter was little nothing would keep her interested and quiet longer than a box of markers or crayons and some paper. She's 18 now and she still loves to draw in her spare time. Some of her work hangs in my workshop.

Damn! That was a really interesting video and then you throw in the dedication! I'm tearing up Rex! 🥰

Hi Rex, really good video. Very informative and clear cut. I'm currently embarking on plane purchases, so this video (and your others) really helped. And also, nice job on the picture Stella, great job!!

Extremely well done, Rex! I knew all of it and yet still watched the whole thing!

Very informative video. I found a No. 6 at antique shop this weekend sold as a pair with a smaller plane, not Stanley, for $8.50. It needs an iron, iron cap, and lever cap, but I am excited to restore it. I have been looking for a no.7 for a while, but I think the 6 will do just fine. I will check out your other video on it.

I got a n4, and recently recieved a n6 by kunz. I do definitely need a foreplane. I'll be hunting for one. Amazing drawing. Thank you Stella !

This explains things perfectly. Best explanation of hand planes on KZfaq. Nicely done.

I finished restoring my 4.5 i found in my garage and used it for a project in my construction engineering class. It really helped out making everything fit together.

Great video Rex, I was given a heap of planes by by Dad and have bought, restored and made several planes since then, if i had to start again, i would go with your selection.

Great vid thanks Rex, don't know how I missed this one, would add a block plane to the list there, use mine daily, thanks again and keep em coming!

As a beginner nd looking to buy.. amazingly systematic video with the right amit of info delivered in the best possible manner..cd be an template for educational videos..hats off to u sir

I inherited a stanley baily No4 from my grandad, I love using it, thank you for your informative video, I'm looking out for a No6 now

Just awesome! Totally filled in all the gaps. You made this while discussion perfectly clear.

trying to find a decent plane to get started and this is perfect for me, thanks Rex! now I just need to find some to get started. slowly working through the woodworking for humans

Hi, I am an English Joiner, Apprentaship 1980, almoast the last of the true apprentiship era in England. I enjoy watching as you are pretty much on the mark with your advice in many videos. I now live in Germany and they have know idea about metal planes, I have introdused my colleges to the planes and Inches but it won´t catch on any time soon.

I used the 3 basic wood planes in my shop for over 30 years.since going back to furniture making nearly full time and 98% hand tools I’ve switched to low angle for my big 3 and been very pleased with the switch overall, though I still use my wood smoother a lot and I got a dedicated scrub plane as well.

Excellent presentation, Rex. Thank you!

I got a 5.5 as uk plus a cheap 4 set as scrub and 4 stanley thank you for your advice

Awesome info. I’m just getting started in woodworking, and really enjoy watching your videos. You should GL frame Stella’s picture and put it up in your shop. A bit of personal character on the walls would look nice…and maybe entice Stella to take up the craft herself!

I totally agree. Along with the foreplane, smoother, and jointer, I'd add the small block plane is good to have around too.

Great video Rex! so good I had to watch it twice so i cloud let the info sink a little more. And ofc i couldnt let it pass the fact that Stella did a great drawing. Congrats

Another GREAT video! I’ve been referencing your videos for new comers to woodworkers. I think you offer great advice for them.

Wow! That is an awesome drawing Stella. Thank you for your great video Rex.! 👍😊

I've watched several of your uploads over the past couple weeks so I gotta say. . Good work, thanks for uploading and +1sub

Your videos are always fun to watch

I have discovered you when you made the movie with Uri and since then I am enjoying your movies. I love your movies and your energy. I only have a 4 1/2. :)

I wish I’d known this 2 yrs ago. Although thru my thirsty search for hand planes I found a 1st or 2nd gen number 4 circa civil war days that I bought for 5 bucks. After de rusting and adjusting, it cuts just fine! Crazy to have such an old tool. Planes are fascinating. Thx for sharing this video.

Thank you for the explanation of what all of the planes are for, it's definitely going to be helpful in the future and it also means that I now know what my 4 and 4 1/2 are actually for. Both are inherited but I basically just chose the plane in the best condition and used it for everything. Thankfully I wasn't doing much woodwork at the time and basically knew enough to get it sharpe 😂👍

Awesome and very helpful video, but the star of it all: Stella. Having a 5-year old, I understand the challenge. Great job Stella! Both on the quietly sitting and the hand plane drawing!

Great info Rex, I'd love to see a video comparing all of Stanley's different versions.....like the Victor, the Handyman, the Sweetheart....which are best, which to avoid etc...

Thanks alot, Rex! Very informative and comprehensively presented, as always. I don't fear planes anymore.

I just rewatched this. Thanks Rex!

Hi Stella. Thanks for letting us see the picture - well done!

Binging on Rex's plane videos ..... again If you can't afford 2 No. 5's, and your workflow allows - get 2 irons. Set one up with a steep grind and a bunch of camber; set the other iron up as a smoother. I use mine mostly as a Jack (of all trades), so I just occasionally put in the fore iron and open the mouth for heavy stock removal.

Great video.....you just saved me hundreds on things I don't need or want in my little shop

I have a collection of planes acquired over several decades and I have wondered over the numbering and uses. This is an excellent video, admirably presented. thank you. Some people are derogatory about Staley and Record planes - you haven't spent enough thus they aren't as good as e.g. Lie Nielsen. Well, I have always found that if sharpened well, then they are just fine.

Yes I would agree these are 3 are good suggestions. Please clarify about the block plane and the chisel plane my favorites.

Thank you so much for this, I started recently with a #4C and just got a Grizzly #5 because of plane scarcity in my area (haven't mostly flattened the sole or replaced the iron yet, but soon) and was wondering about an eventual longer plane. So far, my options is a #6, a longish Transitional or a wooden jointer or fore, either is fine. I actually like tap adjusting!Annnnd maybe a jack rabbet if I could find one for lols, those look neat. Also your daughter's a great artist!

Thank you Stella. And Rex. Great info as always.

thanks for explaining. I have 2 and looking to buy different sizes/type.so this video is very useful

Rex, thanks very much for your informative and lively plane video. It is an excellent overview of the main line planes. A couple years ago I bought one of the wood river #1 planes because I needed it,...really. I had no expectation for the thing, which seemed to be a novelty that possibly would just fill a bit of shelf space. However, it turned out to be really really outstanding on end grain, cleaning up dovetails, finishing the top edge of small boxes, like jewelry boxes, and similar applications. It is much better than any block plane I have used. It is not that comfortable to hold, but it is so good, it sits with a #4 and #5 on my bench and gets used in every project. Anyone else have an opinion on the tiny #1?

Thanks for such an informative video.

Excellent work rex. Thanks for the videos

Like every time you made it with that kind of passion for the theme. Thanks for this video

Fantastic tips, Rex! Thanks a lot!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Good demonstration. Apprenticed as a cabinet maker, for us 4-1/2, 5-1/2 and 7or 8 (which is what i own) are all you need brilliant planes We jointed all our boards after overhand planing them

Thank you Rex, that was a very interesting video. i only have a 4 and a 7 of those you have shown but I prefer my wooden planes as they are lighter and it seems to me that the irons are harder and keep an edge longer. Further to that the jack and try were freebies. One was given to me and the other fly tipped outside my garage without a handle. I made a new handle, cleaned and polished it then ground and honed the iron and it is as good as new and a joy to use. I only use my Stanley 7 for shooting end grain on the shooting board.

Double thumbs up Rex. Picked up a box of second hand tools at a yard sale just for the #4 (and a few other useful items) on your recommendation for $25.

New subscriber here. Great info. I've bought them all and your absolutely right only need about 3 of them.

Not only was this a great video, it was perfectly timed. I literally just went antiquing to start getting my plane collection sorted out.

Very interesting video on Stanley Bench Planes. Thanks for the knowledge , Rex !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My first metal plane was a Stanley #7. The price was good and it had been fully restored and had an upgraded Veritas blade and chip breaker. Due to the situation and timing in life I could not get another for awhile and I have used that plane for rough work to smoothing. Great plane. I enjoy using it and can get gossamer thin shavings from it.

Stella's drawing is great love it. Oh and the video was very helpful as well.

Thanks for all the great information on planes. My dad was a carpenter and he would whip the hand plan and make quick work of anything he used it on. I bought a craftsman hand plane 20 years made several disaters with and put it back in the toolbox… Fast forward to 6 months ago, I was gifted a Stanley Handman plan, looks like a number 4. Hang in there the point is coming. lol. So i decided to create an end grain cutting board last month. Chose an interesting pattern ( grain goes in every direction) and I have sanded to near flat and was thinking about trying to plain it by hand because it is not light under a straight edge flat. That’s how i got here. I know now both plans need properly setup including sharpening with camber and flatten of the base. Regardless you have covered everthing. I will be sharpening later this week, I prefer stones to paper plus I already own them. Then practice on scraps and extra blocks from the cutting board to prepare before hitting the board I have many hours into. Thanks again!

Great video Rex, this can be a very intimidating subject for the beginner. A few years ago someone I knew was THROWING OUT a rusty old #6. I picked it up and knew right away that the old girl had life left in her, did some research and dated it at almost 100 years old! I watched the Paul Sellers video on restoring the bench plane and decided it would be a fun project and the first time I took a shaving with it I was hooked. That tool is as good today as the day it was made. Since then I have found (for free because they were roached) another #6, a #7 and a #4 and restored them all to working order. I also recently bought a Taytools #5 1/2 which is actually the first one I reach for most of the time and if I am just knocking something out it might be the only one I use. Keep up the great content and thanks for commenting on my turning saw in Instagram!

Very well done, Rex! Knowledge that anyone working with wood needs. Much obliged. 🤠

Good video which gave me a bit more insight. My trade was software engineering, but i have inherited my fathers tools, he was a cabinet maker, i use them all the time now i am retired, he had 3x Stanley #4, 1x Stanley #5 and 2x Stanley #6 plus a few wooden planes which were rotted by the time i got them

Yesterday I flattened the sole of a Stanley 4 1/2 with a thin diamond plate from China. The plate was a very coarse 80 grit. Now the edges of the mouth match evenly . After that I smoothed the surface with another thin Chinese diamond plate of 3000 grit. The plane works really well now . I discovered that a 4 1/2 plane used on a shooting board allows the hand to be very comfortable with the thumb tucked in behind the frog . Great videos of these planes Rex .

A really nice summary. I had never heard about the competition with the Scottish in-fills. Some of us just like planes. I have too many as it stands. One thing that a heavy try or jointer works well for is on a shooting board. That mass, once moving, reduces the effort of cutting the end grain. If you need to look at thin shavings across end grain - say when asked to identify a wood - then they really are good when nice and sharp. I have a 4 1/2 and it's one of my favorite planes. The extra wide blade makes smoothing a four-inch wide piece just a little quicker and I notice it.

My most common planes are a 4 1/2, 5 1/2 and a 7. I also have a restored Craftsman #8, a ew shoulder planes, a low angle jack plane (used with a new blade as a scrub plane), block planes (Lie Nielsen, Wood River and restored Stanley (from the 1920s) and and embarassing number of other antique and wooden planes (all restored an usuable) in my collection. Thanks for the contacts about the #6, I have a #7 and a #8. I have them all and they have their uses in my shop. I do like the 4 1/2, the 5 1/2 qne the 7 as the go tos. I also carry a block plane in my apron at all times. What I'm doing depends on which one I use. Thanks for the videos!

Great video! Other people always seem to over complicate the Stanley line up. This breaks it down into something normal people can understand and not just plane junkies.

Please tell Stella that she did an awesome drawing and that I really appreciate how quiet she was during the whole video!! Also great video Rex, as always!!

Stella is awesome! The video was great but her drawing was the icing on the cake.

I have a Millers Falls No.10 (Stanley 4 1/2) that i love using, needs replacement tote handle and is set up with a scrub blade. Nice and heavy

Great discussion Rex, thanks.

Thank you verymuch Rex! Thanks Stella for the drawing =)