I have to admit that I helped him in the direction of the present, but that doesn't detract a bit.
I had spotted an old plane on a classified page in Denmark. It just said: Plane, J. Siegley and there was a picture of the plane and the accompanying box.
The vendor lives in the same neighborhood as my older brother, so I asked if he could pick it up for me. He readily agreed and offered that I could get for my birthday, which was fine with me.
Today my brother got hold of the plane, and sent me some pictures of it. Based on the Stanley size system, it is a No 3.
I have tried to search the Internet for information on the Siegley planes, but there is not quite as much information as I had hoped for, so if anyone reading this could provide any information, it will be greatly appreciated.
As far as I read, the Siegley company was purchased by Stanley in 1905. From 1905 to 1920 Stanley manufactured the Siegley planes alongside their own.
But I think this plane is older than the Stanley era due to the fact that it only says J.Siegley on the blade. There is no mention of Stanley anywhere on the plane.
There is no lateral adjustment feature on the plane.
On Stanley planes they were introduced in 1885 (according to the unsurpassed wisdom found at Patrick Leach's blood and gore page) but I don't know if Siegley never had a lateral adjustment until they were purchased by Stanley?
My older brother took that plane apart and took some pictures of it. It was well oiled and doesn't seem to be rusty. the fact that someone made a designated box for it makes me believe that whomever the owner was, he took care of this plane.
The rear tote is a bit loose, but I guess it can be tightened up.
My guess is that it would make a fine restoration project to carry out on board..
J. Siegley plane No3
J. Siegley blade
No lateral adjustment on this plane.
Plane transport box
I bet there is someone out there who wants this plane bad!
ReplyDeleteWell, I wanted it, but I suppose it could be for sale if someone was a collector :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers
Jonas
Don on Time Tested Tools had a recent post about a Siegley No 3
ReplyDelete(earlier pre Stanley takeover?)cheers,Jack.
Hi Jack.
DeleteThanks for the information, I'll check that out.
Brgds
Jonas
I've got a Siegley transitional 24" jointer. Like most transitional planes it has some problems (an inability to close the mouth being the primary one), but it works beautifully within its limitations.
ReplyDeleteHi Andy.
DeleteI have never tried a transitional plane. I kind of like the idea behind them, but as you write, I have heard that they are not perfect.
Stanley planes usually work, but I sometime like to try something a bit different.
I hope my Siegley will turn out OK.
Brgds
Jonas
It's interesting in use, but I'd rather have a plane that's all wood or all metal. Still, it's nice to have a 24" plane that light!
DeleteIt's well constructed, and if yours is as well built I expect you'll like it.
Prelateral planes are generally regarded as strictly for collectors.
ReplyDeleteDon from Timetestedtools was so kind to answer a question I sent him about the plane. I think he is quite an authority on that subject.
DeleteHe thinks it is an early Stanley production, and that the lateral adjustment is broken off.
I am really curious to get home and check that out.
If that is the case, I should be able to see that the upper part of the frog has been broken. Unless someone skillfully filed it to be smooth and symmetric.
I still hope that it is prelateral though :-)
It looks like the plane is in very good condition. The parts that always worries me with old planes are the tote and knob believe it or not, as I've always felt that those parts can be the most difficult parts to repair. Most of the other stuff usually just requires a good cleaning and some sharpening.
ReplyDeletegood luck
Bill
Hi Bill
DeleteI like that it came in a custom made box. Some earlier owner must have really wanted to take care of it.
According to information I got from Don at Timetestedtools, the plane is most likely from the early part of the Stanley era, and he thinks that the lateral adjustment is broken off.
If that is the case, I might try to repair that feature, but I can check that out when I get my hands on the plane.
Thanks
Brgds
Jonas
Hi Jonas,
ReplyDeleteThere's not a lot of info on the internet on Siegley planes. You'll find a couple forums on it from 2010 or 2013. I'm sure you already know J Siegley was based out of Scranton Pennsylvania USA. A local man to Pennsylvania, John Rumpf, did a five year study on Siegley and other planes from Scranton PA. He's currently selling his book on ebay. I had just ordered mine early this week and have not received it yet to be able to give you any info.
- Mike
Hi Mike
DeleteThanks for commenting.
I have visited some old threads from Sawmill creek and other forums, but there sure isn't that much information out there. I found a page called siegleyplanes.com, but it is sadly empty for now. Hopefully the owner will get t up and running at some point.
Don from Timetestedtools was so kind to look at my pictures. He believes that I have an early Stanley made Siegley plane, and that the lateral adjustment is broken off.
The older Siegley planes I have seen pictures of do indeed look a bit different.
I found the John Rumpf book on Amazon, but I didn't order it. After all I have never before seen a Siegley plane in Denmark, so I doubt I will ever get another. So I just have to rely on friendly people helping me out on details of this plane along the way.
Since I am still at work, I haven't been able to lay my hands on the plane yet, so I can't see the presumed damaged upper part of the frog that clearly.
I also suspect that some earlier owner might have filed it to look nice, if it was broken. But I'll see that at some point.
Brgds
Jonas