The Stanley No. 8 is the largest Bailey bench plane.
610 mm (24") of sole. For comparison — the No. 4 has 235 mm. The No. 8 is 375 mm longer. Every extra millimetre shows in precision: the longer the sole, the fewer high spots it skips. The try plane does what a jointer cannot.
Character
The No. 8 is not for everyday use. It is a tool for a specific task: an absolutely flat and true surface or edge before final finishing.
The weight is considerable. Working with the No. 8 over a long session is physically demanding — but the result on a large surface carries its mark more precisely than any shorter tool can.
The example in the collection is a Type 10 (1907–1909) — the classic period, just before the Sweetheart era, but with a settled Y-lever mechanism. Good casting, no wartime compromises.
Type Study (Bailey Type Study)
The Stanley No. 8 went through the same design iterations as the other Bailey bench planes. The collection example dates as Type 10 (1907–1909):
| Era | Types | Years | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Stanley | 2–4 | 1869–1884 | No Y-lever adjustment, patent dates cast in, rosewood handles |
| Transitional | 5–7 | 1885–1899 | Frog design evolves, patent dates, brass depth adjustment nut |
| Classic ★ | 8–10 | 1899–1909 | Y-lever depth adjustment, Eccentric Lever Cap — collection example |
| Sweetheart | 11–14 | 1910–1930 | Heart logo (SW) on irons, peak casting quality and fit |
| Depression / WWII | 15–17 | 1931–1945 | Material savings, less grinding, wartime production without chrome |
| Post-war | 18–20 | 1946–1967 | Plastic components appear, thinner castings, quality declines |
Type 10 (1907–1909) sits just before the Sweetheart era — dense casting, settled mechanism, no production shortcuts. A good working collector piece.
What to look for when buying
- Flat sole — over 610 mm, even a small distortion matters significantly; check the full length
- Square sides — the No. 8 is often used as a reference tool, side squareness is essential
- Frog seated without movement — vibration over 610 mm of cut is amplified more than on shorter planes
- Iron not ground unevenly — common on working planes
- Tote and knob — the No. 8 has the largest versions; mismatches from smaller planes are visible and feel wrong
Source and references
Historical production type data from the Bailey Type Study (Patrick Leach). Collection example dated as Type 10 by Eccentric Lever Cap and Y-lever, without Sweetheart logo.