Overview
The No. 5½ is the widest jack, 15 inches long with a 2¼-inch iron and close to 7 lbs. The extra width makes it a strong plane for flattening wide boards and shooting end grain.
Gallery
Click any photo to view it larger. Photographs courtesy of Jim Bode Tools.
Specifications & Variants
The #5½ 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.
Corrugated sole version of the wide jack.
Less common than the smooth 5½, with a modest premium.
Dimensions are nominal factory figures; casting tolerances vary slightly across types.
Identifying Features
- Iron width: 2¼ inches before 1939, then 2⅜ inches; replacement irons must match the era.
- Mass: At close to 7 lbs it is the heaviest jack in the line.
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
Produced from 1898 to 1962. The cutter width changed to 2⅜ inches in 1939, so older planes need their original irons; later replacement irons will not fit.
Design
Heavier and wider than a standard jack, it works well as a panel-flattening plane or a heavy smoother. The mass helps it ride through difficult grain.
For Collectors
A favorite among users, so clean examples stay in demand. Match the iron width to the plane's age before buying a replacement blade.
Market Value
Based on 21 realized sales of the #5½. Prices range from $125 to $235, with a median of $175.
| Condition / grade | Typical range |
|---|---|
| User grade | $125 – $175 |
| Good / Fine | $175 – $195 |
| Fine & better | $195 – $235 |
Popular with users, so clean examples hold steady prices.
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