[Maylar]

I'm shopping for a 60-1/2 low angle block plane and some of the reviews I've seen about Stanley's current production planes are not good. It seems the quality just ain't what it used to be. I'm wondering if I'd be better off getting an older one off eBay rather than going new.

Consensus?

 

[amckenzie4]

I haven't used the new ones, but the general trend seems to be that Stanley's newer stuff isn't as good. If it were me, I'd go with used or, if I could scrape up the money, a Veritas or Lie-Nielsen modern version. Lie-Nielsen appears to actually be manufacturing a copy of the old 60 1/2.

 

[Joeb41]

I have the old versions of # 92 and the #60 1/2 and they are much superior to the new ones. If I were to need a new block plane (I'm down to 5) It would be a Veritas.

 

[sawdustfactory]

I have a Woodriver low angle block plane and it works great.

 

[Maylar]

I'd like a Veritas or L-N plane, but $150-165 for a block plane is a tad steep, so I'm sticking with the Stanley. Just gotta keep my eyes open for a decent used one I guess.

 

[knotscott]

It's hard to go wrong with good older Stanley, Record, or Millers Falls block plane....$20-$30 if you're patient.

 

[gideon]

I have a stanley 65 knuckle cap from the 40's or 50's. i use it on everything i make.

you can get a super clean vintage 65 for way less than the veritas similars. $70-80 will get you a great user.