Overview
The No. 8 is the largest and heaviest bench plane Stanley made, 24 inches long with a 2⅝-inch iron and close to 10 lbs. The mass and width make it the choice for flattening the widest, most stubborn stock.
Gallery
Click any photo to view it larger. Photographs courtesy of Jim Bode Tools.
Specifications & Variants
The #8 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 heavy jointer.
Noticeably scarcer than the No. 7C.
Dimensions are nominal factory figures; casting tolerances vary slightly across types.
Identifying Features
- Length: The 24-inch sole is the longest in the bench-plane line.
- Iron width: The 2⅝-inch iron is the widest Stanley fitted to a bench plane.
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 1869 to 1961. It is the heavy jointer, used where the No. 7 is not quite enough. The added weight helps it power through knots and reversing grain.
Design
At 24 inches and nearly 10 lbs it is a workout to push, but the mass and the wide 2⅝-inch iron let it take a full-width shaving and stay dead flat.
For Collectors
Less common than the No. 7 and prized by users who flatten wide panels. The corrugated No. 8C is noticeably scarcer than the 7C.
Market Value
Based on 38 realized sales of the #8 (plus corrugated examples). Prices range from $159 to $395, with a median of $285.
| Condition / grade | Typical range |
|---|---|
| User grade | $159 – $225 |
| Good / Fine | $225 – $325 |
| Fine & better | $325 – $395 |
Less common than the No. 7 and prized by users who flatten wide panels.
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