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- NOTE: This type discussion, along with the
foregoing material, is based on personal examination of numerous Bed Rock specimens since
1973. Many specimens have been seen, but there is always the potential for finding a new
type or an anomaly. The format used for the type discussions and trademark designations
generally follows other published studies. Emphasized features are in BOLD ITALICS.
- This is the Type Study part of a larger paper
of 8 pages that also discusses the history, development and characteristics of this, the
best plane ever made. The complete paper may purchased for $3.00. See Tool Literature.
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- August, 1988 (Revised Sept., 1988; Apr., 1991;June,1996; July,
1997; Nov., 1999)
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- TYPE 1. 1898
- Beds marked with Bailey model numbers, No.2 to
8. All sizes in production including those with corrugated bottoms. Space (SEPT.
3. 95) below "PATD APR. 2. 95" has been milled out
at the factory [1A]. See page 2 of discussions. "S"
casting mark on bed (raised dot on some specimens).
[1A] Milled
Patent Date (Sept.3.95) Detail
- Most plane beds of this type are shorter than Type 3 (No.605 is 13-1/2"
vs. 14" later type).
- Rounded sides profile, like Bailey planes.
- Frogs with "B" casting marks.
Lateral adjustment lever with patent dates 10-21-84 &7-24-88.
Frog & bed machined & mated 100%; inclined frog seat. [1B]. "STANLEY
R & L CO...BED ROCK" on lever caps. "B" casting marks.
[1C].
- Q tm on most irons [1D].
- Low knob. Handle shapes same as those of comparable
vintage Bailey planes.
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- [1B]
[1C]
[1D]
- TYPE 2. 1898-1899
- - All features of TYPE 1., except...
- 7-24-88 only patent date on frog lateral adjustment
lever.
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- TYPE 2a. 1899
- - All features of TYPE 2., except...
- Beds marked "No.60..". Only No.603,
604 Planes have been found of this type.
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- TYPE 3. 1900-1908
- - All features of TYPE 2., except...
- Beds now marked with "600"
numbers, i.e.; No.602 - 608. No milled out space below "PATD.
APR. 2. 95." "B" casting marks on most standard
length beds.
- Frogs of some planes nickel-plated on
machined surfaces [3A].
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[3A] Plated frog detail
- TYPE 4. 1908-1910
- - All features of TYPE 3., except...
- Beds usually do not have "B" casting
marks.
- Frogs have
"B" casting marks." Lateral adjustment levers without
patent dates.
- Lever caps now marked "STANLEY....BED
ROCK." [4A].
- Irons have T tm on later planes [4B],
S tm on others [4C].
- This style of Bed Rock Plane was also manufactured for Keen
Kutter & Winchester: an identical tool with minor
cosmetic
differences. Click to see Bed Rock &
Keen Kutter Comparisons.
[4A]
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[4B] |
[4C] |
- TYPE 5. 1911
- µ Major changes...
- Beds now marked "BED ROCK"
in addition to "600" numbers. No "B" casting marks.
- "PATD. APR. 2. 95" & APR. 19. 10" rear
of frog.
- Flat-top Sides.
- Raised knob receiver
- Frogs are now attached to beds with pins and
set screws [5A].
- Irons have T tm [4B].
- Tall knobs.
[5A]
- TYPE 6. 1912-1921
- - All features of TYPE 5., except...
- Lever caps now marked "BED ROCK"
[6A].
- Irons have trademarks-
- V Tm (1914-1918). [6B]
- X Tm (1918-1921). [6C]
- [6A]
- TYPE 6a. 1922
- - All features of TYPE 6., except...
- Frog adjustment wheel is larger: 1-1/4"
diameter.
- Iron has Y Tm (1922-1923). [6D]
- TYPE 7. 1923-1926
- - All features of TYPE 6a., except...
- Beds marked with only one patent date- "U.S.
PAT. APR. 19. 10."
- Lever caps marked "STANLEY"
in the notched rectangular logo. [7A].
- Irons have AA Tm. (1923-1935) [7B].
- No.605-1/4 JACK introduced in 1926.
[7A]
[7B]
- TYPE 8. 1927-1930
- - All features of TYPE 7., except...
- Bed now has "MADE IN USA" in
addition to patent date.
- (No.604-1/2-C & 604-1/2 specimens have been found without either marks).
- Knob receiver boss now cupped
for fitting knob [8A]. Several TYPE 6 - No.604
Planes have been found with this feature; possibly a factory "retrofit" of
leftover castings.
- [8A] Knob receivers detail: Left- Types 5-7; Right-
Types 8 and later
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- TYPE 9. 1931-1932
- - All features of TYPE 8., except...
- Beds no longer have a patent date. "MADE
IN U.S.A." only.
- Lever caps of some planes nickel-plated
with "STANLEY ORANGE" paint [9A].
[9A]
- TYPE 10. 1933-1941
- - All features of TYPE 9., except...
- Beds of No.603, 604 & 605-1/4
planes have raised handle receivers.
- Frogs of some specimens have "STANLEY
ORANGE" paint on sides.
- Lever caps now have kidney-shaped bolt holes.
[10A].
- Irons have BB Tm starting in 1936. [10B].
[10A]
[10B]
- TYPE 11. 1942
- - All features of TYPE 10., except...
- Bed castings are heavier and thicker.
Start of WWII production and elimination of some finishing processes.
- Lever caps not plated or polished.
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- TYPE 12.
1943
- - All features of TYPE 11., except...
- Frog has either hard rubber or small diameter
steel adjustment wheel.
- Knob and handle are hardwood
(maple) and finished with dark varnish stain. All brass parts
eliminated during war-time production.
- END OF PRODUCTION FOR BED ROCK PLANES.
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- REFERENCES
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I recently obtained an original copy of a 1923 Stanley promotional
pamphlet which illustrates and describes the Bed Rock Planes
in production at that time. The listing does not include the
No.605-1/4 (see note
at Type 7), but does show the No.602-C as being available, which
contradicts the assumed 1918 end of production for that model. Click
pamphlet cover to view entire publication. Allow time for the page to download, as the image is large,
in order to maintain some kind of readable quality. |
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BED ROCK PLANES MADE FOR KEEN KUTTER & WINCHESTER
During the 1920's, Stanley manufactured
Type 4 Bed Rock Planes, for Keen Kutter and Winchester. The planes were
identical to the original Stanleys, except for the markings on the beds, (W..,
K..), Keen Kutter and Winchester trademarks on the blades and frogs with
twisted lateral levers. Keen Kutter Bed Rocks had plain lever caps and
Winchester Bed Rocks had Winchester marked lever caps.
ANOMALIES AND OTHER PUZZLES
Bed Rocks that do not fit within the foregoing sequence and
evolution of the series add interest to this and future studies.
TYPE 4Z. c.1910
- - All characteristics of TYPE 4., except...
- Beds marked with only slanted single digit numbers:"2"
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"8", lightly milled space on
some planes where the "K"
or "W" would have been for a Keen Kutter
and Winchester. Planes made for Keen Kutter
and Winchester but later sold by Stanley in the general market.
- No patent dates on the bed. Keen Kutter
lever caps plain. Winchester lever caps marked Winchester. Twisted laterals on
both makes. Blades marked with Keen Kutter & Winchester logos.
AFTER MARKET "TYPES"
-Owner-modified planes represent random anomalies rather than factory created types-
Later Bed Rock, Type 5 or later with round profile sides, likely
re-ground by owner.
Various types with plain, un-marked lever caps; likely owner replaced.
» I would be interested in hearing about any other anomalies and/or variations
that exist.
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- Bob Kaune -
Antique & Used Tools - 511 W. 11th - Port Angeles, Washington
98362
© 1997 Bob Kaune - Antique & Used Tools for
Collectors & Woodworkers. All rights reserved.
Updated:
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
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