Overview
The No. 608 is the largest and heaviest Bedrock, the 24-inch counterpart to the Bailey No. 8. It is the premium line's choice for flattening the widest stock.
Gallery
Click any photo to view it larger. Photographs courtesy of Jim Bode Tools.
Specifications & Variants
The #608 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 Bedrock jointer.
The scarcest of the Bedrock jointers.
Dimensions are nominal factory figures; casting tolerances vary slightly across types.
Identifying Features
- BED ROCK casting: The body is cast BED ROCK, with the 608 number on the bed.
- Size: At 24 inches with a 2⅝-inch iron it is the largest plane in the line.
Dating is shared across all Bedrock sizes. Use the Bedrock type study to pin down your plane's type.
History & Design
History
Made from 1898 to 1940. The mass and the wide 2⅝-inch iron, on the rigid Bedrock frame, make it a powerful jointer.
Design
At 24 inches and close to 10 lbs, it takes a full-width shaving and stays flat, with the Bedrock frog seated solidly under the heavy iron.
For Collectors
Scarcer than the No. 607 and prized by users who flatten wide panels. The corrugated 608C is the scarcest of the jointers.
Market Value
Realized sale prices for the #608, based on ~17 recorded sales, with a median of $395.
| Condition / grade | Typical range |
|---|---|
| User | $225 – $295 |
| Good / Fine | $295 – $425 |
| Extra Fine | $425 – $495 |
The largest Bedrock jointer. The size premium is consistent, and even user examples sell above a comparable No. 607.
These are past sale prices gathered from Jim Bode's Value Guide to Antique 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