Overview
The Stanley No. 1 is the smallest bench plane Stanley made, about 5½ inches long with a 1¼-inch iron. It is too small for most bench work, which is a large part of why it became the most sought-after plane in the Bailey line.
Gallery
Click any photo to view it larger. Photographs courtesy of Jim Bode Tools.
Specifications & Variants
The #1 base size and its factory variants, with the sole length, cutter width, weight, and years of production for each.
The standard cast-iron version that the variants below are based on.
Dimensions are nominal factory figures; casting tolerances vary slightly across types.
Identifying Features
- No lateral lever: The No. 1 never received a lateral adjustment lever, unlike every other Bailey size.
- Solid brass nut: The brass depth-adjustment nut is solid, with no hollow recess like the larger sizes have.
- Reproduction check: On an original the depth-adjuster rod runs parallel to the sole; on a reproduction it tilts up toward the tote.
- Fragility: Thin castings crack easily around the mouth; check there before buying.
Dating is shared across all sizes. Use the identification guide and the quick-reference table to pin down your plane's type.
History & Design
History
Made from 1869 to 1943, the No. 1 never sold in large numbers. Its size made it awkward for real planing, so many went to tool salesmen, were given as gifts, or ended up in schoolrooms. Clean survivors are scarce.
Design
It is the only Bailey bench plane that never got a lateral adjustment lever, and its brass depth-adjustment nut is solid, without the hollow recess found on the larger sizes. The castings are thin, so cracks around the mouth and broken totes are common. There was never a corrugated version.
For Collectors
Condition and originality drive everything here. Even a worn No. 1 sells for far more than most larger planes, and reproductions and married parts are common, so authentication matters. The quickest reproduction check is the threaded rod the depth nut rides on: an original's rod runs parallel to the sole, while a reproduction's tilts up toward the tote. Reproduction castings are also coarser than the originals.
Market Value
Based on 10 realized sales of the #1. Prices range from $1,095 to $1,795, with a median of $1,395.
| Condition / grade | Typical range |
|---|---|
| User grade | $1,095 – $1,295 |
| Good / Fine | $1,295 – $1,495 |
| Fine & better | $1,495 – $1,795 |
The No. 1 is the most collectible Bailey bench plane, so prices are high and condition-sensitive across the board.
These are past sale prices gathered from Jim Bode Tools, not a current appraisal. What any given plane is worth depends mostly on its condition and type.
Sources & Credits
Patrick's Blood & Gore
Primary reference for plane history, dimensions, and collector notes.
supertool.com/StanleyBG