Old Tool Shop

26/10/2026

Here's our latest tools as of 22 Oct 2026.
Don't forget these are just the highlights - there are plenty more online at oldtoolshop.com.au

05/10/2026

Unlock the charm of antique craftsmanship with the Early Stanley Rule & Level Co. No. 55 Universal Combination Plane! Hailing from New Britain, CT, this tool features original rosewood handles, nickel-plated fittings, and intricate castings. Packaged neatly in its original metal chest, it comes with four cutter boxes and an extensive, well-preserved cutter set. The set boasts long and short fence rods, auxiliary skate, fences, and many accessories—minus the screwdriver. Dive into the history and versatility of one of the most ambitious hand tools ever made. Curious about its details? Explore more here: https://oldtoolshop.com.au/product/stanley-no-55-combination-plane/

What's the most treasured tool in your collection? Share below!

Early Stanley Rule & Level Co. No. 55 Universal Combination Plane in original metal chest. Features four cutter boxes and an extensive cutter set.

26/09/2026

Early Blacksmith-Made Hand Brace / Joiner's Brace
Primitive Forged Iron Woodworking Brace | Hand-Wrought Tool with Square Socket and Retaining Bolt

This is a fascinating and exceptionally rare piece of early toolmaking history—a heavy, blacksmith-forged, two-handed, iron brace. Featuring entirely hand-wrought construction with visible hammer marks and a raw forged crank shaft, this tool predates mass-produced commercial braces and represents the kind of specialized hardware a traditional village blacksmith would fabricate for a local shipwright or cabinet maker.

Unlike later factory-made braces with universal jaws and wooden handles, this primitive specimen utilizes a simple square socket welded or forged directly into the head, secured with a threaded set-bolt to clamp early tapered-shank bits securely in place. It retains a crude cylindrical thick leather hand sleeve and a plain circular head disc.

Blacksmith-forged iron two-handed brace. Primitive hand-wrought woodworking tool featuring a square drive. Lots of character.

25/09/2026

Stanley No.4 Type 14 Bench Smoothing Plane
Vintage Woodworking Bench Plane | Desirable Type 14 User with Sweetheart Iron and Rosewood Infill

This is a fantastic example of a vintage Stanley No.4 Type 14 smoothing plane, manufactured during the late 1920s (circa 1929–1930). The Type 14 is widely celebrated by traditional woodworkers and collectors as one of the finest "user" generations Stanley ever produced, striking an ideal balance between pre-WWI casting robustness and modern mechanical refinements. It features the single patent-date casting behind the frog and a desirable period "Sweetheart" (SW) cutting iron.

Outfitted with rich, dense rosewood for both the front k**b and rear tote handle, this smoother represents a top-tier workbench companion. While the rear handle has undergone a neat historical repair, it remains completely solid and ready for active workshop service.

Stanley Bailey No.4 Type 14 Made in USA. Great era with matching Sweetheart iron and plenty of life left. Good original condition.

24/09/2026

Stanley No.10¼ Carriage Maker's Rebate Plane
Vintage Rebate Plane | Solid Cast Body with Sweetheart Iron

This is a highly sought-after vintage Stanley No.10¼ carriage maker's rabbet plane, prized by traditional woodworkers and collectors alike. Featuring a solid-body design with a adjustable angle k**b and tote to keep your hands away from the rebate walls, this model is an essential piece for fine cabinetry and precision joinery.

This example is structurally sound and presents very well with clean lines, the 1¼" large brass adjusting wheel, two functional side nickers, and "Made in USA" marking cast behind the rear tote. It is fitted with a classic Stanley "Sweetheart" USA cutting iron.
Key Features:

- Carriage Maker's Design: Solid-body construction engineered for complex rabbeting, shoulder work, and fitting tasks.

Stanley No.10¼ carriage maker's rebate plane. Made in USA. Original Sweetheart iron, spur nickers. Repainted and refinished timber.

23/09/2026

Stanley No.148 Tongue and Groove Plane
Vintage Match Plane | Dual-Body Side-by-Side Design with Replacement User-Made Irons

This is a classic Stanley No.148 tongue and groove plane (often called a match plane), uniquely engineered with two plane bodies in a single tool. The two bodies work side by side to cut mating tongue and groove joints. This one is designed to perfectly centre the grove in a 7/8" (22mm) thick board, although the literature says it can reasonably be of use in board sizes from ¾" to 1¼". A hallmark of traditional cabinet and flooring work, it streamlines precision joinery without needing separate planes.

This example features a clean, nickel-plate finish across the solid cast-iron bodies and totes. Please note that the original cutting irons have been replaced with user-made custom irons, making it a functional workshop user for traditional woodworkers.

Marked with Patent Date Jan 20 1903, so made in USA.

Stanley No. 148 tongue and groove match plane. Plating looks great. all solid, sharp and intact, but with replacement user-made irons.

22/09/2026

Sargent No.29 Rebate Plane
Vintage Shoulder & Rebate Plane | Clean Cast Body with Hardwood Tote and K**b

This is a fine example of a vintage Sargent No.29 rebate (rabbet) plane, designed for precision joinery, fitting tenons, and cleaning up rabbets, shoulders, and dados. Featuring a robust cast-iron body with nicely machined sides and sole, this tool delivers the classic utility expected from Sargent’s quality toolmaking era. Note the fence holes drilled in the sides - the only flaw in this otherwise collectable plane.

The plane retains its handsome nicely finished hardwood front k**b and rear tote, both offering a comfortable grip. The cutting assembly includes the matching iron and lever cap, making it a great user-grade or collectible addition to the traditional woodworking bench.

This is a nice size plane. Unlike the Stanley No.10 which are a No.5 size plane, this is more akin to a narrow No.4 size plane. It weighs in at around 300g less than a Stanley No.4 which makes it much more user friendly on smaller rebates or for smaller hands. Increasingly rare plane to find.

Sargent No. 29 rebate plane. Features a solid original plane with original VBM cutting iron. Body has fence holes drilled in it. For finer joinery.

21/09/2026

This is an excellent example of the Mathieson No.843 Rosewood Infill Smoothing Plane by Alex Mathieson & Son.

This classic Scottish infill smoother has a dovetailed steel body, richly figured rosewood infill, and a substantial brass lever cap, designed for precision smoothing where weight and rigidity matter most. The plane still features its original parallel iron, cap iron, and lever cap, each bearing the distinguished Mathieson Glasgow stamps—a rare find in such pristine condition. A remarkable example of fine woodworking heritage and engineering precision.

Curious about vintage tools or woodworking history? Dive in and share thoughts! Learn more at https://oldtoolshop.com.au/product/mathieson-no-843-infill-smoother-plane/

Stunning original Mathieson No.843 rosewood infill smoothing plane with matching Mathieson & Son iron, chipbreaker and Glasgow stamped lever cap. Very fine.

20/09/2026

Ohio Tool Co. No.020 Compass Plane
Scarce American adjustable sole plane | Complete example retaining its original Ohio iron and all adjustment components

The Ohio No.020 Compass Plane is one of the more interesting specialist planes produced during the golden age of American woodworking tool manufacture. Designed to plane both convex and concave curves, the adjustable sole could be altered to match the required radius, making the plane invaluable for patternmakers, carriage builders, furniture makers and architectural joiners.

This example retains its original Ohio Tool Co. iron, clearly marked with the company's globe trademark. As is typical of Ohio planes from this period, the iron is noticeably thicker and more substantial than those supplied by many competing manufacturers like Stanley and Record. Collectors and users alike regard these heavier Ohio irons highly because they provide excellent blade support and reduce chatter in use.

Ohio No.020 compass circular plane. Made in USA with flexible steel sole and original thick Ohio iron. Repainted. For user or collector.

19/09/2026

Rare Edward Preston 13½" Dovetailed Rosewood Infill Panel Plane
Exceptional Edward Preston infill panel plane | Rare dovetailed construction with beautiful rosewood infill and original Edward Preston iron

This superb 13½-inch Edward Preston Infill Panel Plane represents the finest traditions of British infill plane manufacture. Combining a dovetailed steel body, beautifully figured rosewood infill and an original Edward Preston tapered iron, it is a plane that will appeal equally to serious collectors and discerning users.

Edward Preston & Sons of Birmingham ranks amongst the great names of British toolmaking. Although Preston produced a comparatively small range of infill planes when compared with some of its competitors, the firm's products were renowned for their quality, elegant design and exceptional workmanship.

Rare Edward Preston 13½" dovetailed infill panel plane, brass lever cap and original Edward Preston tapered iron.