ALUMINUM STANLEY PLANE TOTES Tips

[@shanematthews9220]

Mr Pete, Always a joy and satisfying to hold and use a tool from another age. They will tell you a story if you will only stop and listen. It is like reading an old book. It is a conversation with someone from another time. Thanks for the time you spend with us poor mortals. You are a gift. Probably never were told that. Thanks again.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you. You were right I was never told that, LOL

[@BeachsideHank]

Kids, yeah, I know what you mean, I was a stay at home dad with my shop business, the wife had a job outside the home. I raised my two boys through their teenage years while being Mr. Mom; nothing scares me anymore after surviving that decade.☺

[@johnland7318]

I'm a Woodworker and years ago decided my No4 handle was not right, so made one.....from birch plywood, a split mould ! Had to saw two v grooves, to take the threaded rod, glued the pattern and then shaped the finished shape, creating a fatter right handed tote. It's still in use, and better than the plastic original. Enjoy all of your videos. Thankyou.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

Most of my shop projects are experiments; usually resulting in failure, but I love it. And, I always learn something from it.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@clydedecker765]

Jeremy's Grinder is THE BEST design I've ever seen. I totally endorse your purchase! The young man is in dire straits for funding and schooling... I'm sure he appreciates your help. He is a great designer.

[@priority2]

Have you ever seen/used a TW-90?

[@ohmbug10]

Mr. Pete, I love watching and hearing your thought process when prototyping. Almost everything I do at home and did in the mills was a prototype so I really appreciate you explaining the details of the whys & why nots.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, I’m just an old shop teacher fumbling around in the shop

[@thehandyoutdoorsman9014]

mrpete222 I for one appreciate your fumbling. Truly enjoy your thought process.

[@pudster2237]

Mr Pete, I have a different political view point than you do but I think you are you a great guy and am so glad you are going to keep doing videos. Wish we could all get along better in the world. Nothing better than waking up in the morning to coffee and a new Mr Pete video. Thanks

[@evil16v1]

Thank you Lyle! I really appreciate you, and what you do. While one may not be recreating a tote, the techniques you Employ can be you used elsewhere. I liked the packed sand in the aluminium tube trick. Thats slick. I've been a Machine/printing Maintnence man for 22 years, and still learn things from your vids. I am having my 16 yo boy watch you vids. One by one. I cannot begin to teach him with your effectiveness.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you very much, keep watching

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

I love to watch your casting videos. You always make such good castings. Emma down in Australia has a friend who made her an elaborate flywheel pattern with a cnc machine. Surely their is one of your viewers who could do the same for the totes. Keep on keeping on.

[@mrpete222]

That’s what I was kind of hoping when I made this video.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

@@mrpete222 maybe you should contact Emma and see if her friend would make some things for you also.

[@MrShobar]

The widespread availability of 60 Hz electrical current in the United States (even on construction sites) was the death-knell of hand tools. Later, advances in battery technology brought an end to corded electrical tools. In either case, electric motive power completely supplanted the fragile human muscle. Nice video. I enjoy your pattern-making and casting videos.

[@richardboucher6904]

Another great Sunday morning cup of coffee video. Children of all ages wreak everything they touch, my Fifty year old son almost ruined my large adjustable wrench with a three foot cheater bar on it when my 3/4 drive socket wrench set was a few feet away.

[@mrpete222]

You are right, it is an ongoing battle

[@billwilson7782]

Thanks, Pete. I am going to cast one up next week. I sent you a comment when you did the video on Stanley Planes and asked if you had considered making some of these up. I can understand your feelings about making them especially when use of these things are a thing of the past. They are fun to full around with buy with CNC and routers woodworkers do not need them.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Very good Mr. Pete! May not be cosmetically just what you wanted, but a very functional part indeed! That core idea worked great.

[@rlsimpso]

A lot of Stanley tools use a #12-20 thread. I ended up needing a bottoming tap and found Victor Tool still lists the size in HSS plug hand tap. I bought two plug taps and ground one down. It works well. This is also the thread most of my hand saw hardware uses as well.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you for that, that is interesting to know that you can still get the taps

[@MrAvjones]

You talk all you want to, I'm listening. Always enjoy this site. Oops forgot my hearing aid, you need to repeat everything over.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@danbreyfogle8486]

This was a very interesting video. It shows the way an inventive mind works out a problem. Some set down and draw pictures where Mr. Pete makes a pattern, figures out a unique core idea and then casts a tote. Great video Mr. Pete.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@johnwp111]

Both the front and back plastic handles broke on my Stanley plane so I machined replacements out of aluminum. They worked well.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@paulerickson1906]

I've made many new totes for my planes I use in my woodworking. Mostly I've made them a bit thicker in the palm area and kept the upper finger area the same sizes. It fits my hand well. The handle material is usually A finer grade of Oak or Maple. I have used Sycamore too. Stanley used I think for thread sizes a #12-24 bolt on the handles.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi Mr Pete, you did great whith the core in the handle, I'm Impressed, your right ,on the thread size for the tote studs, you've a hell of a job trying to find replacements, on one old plane I was rebuilding I had to resort to converting them to metric , and tapping out the holes, it wasn't a rare plane, so to quote you if I may, Who cares! . Thanks for the video, and best wishes to you and your's, stay safe, Stuart.uk.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, I think you were the only one to understand what I was trying to do with the placement of the core

[@johnhollyfield6557]

I still show my students how to use a hand plane in Maryland. I teach Manufacturing Engineering at a High School> I even show the students some of your videos Mr. Pete!! Thank You

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍👍

[@rdon53]

I've made a few of those handles using cocabola and walnut, had to free hand drill the long double threaded screw, it's been a long time ago and I'm sure it was a pain. Pretty sure it could be done with a special jig and a drill press.

[@rustycrusty2451]

I have Sargent plane that has cast knob and tote.Some heavy alloy that looks like aluminum but is far to heavy.Quite nice looking with a shine from a few decades of use.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@jamesbruley2843]

A very enjoyable video, a glimpse into how your mind works!

[@haroldadelman1130]

Mr. Pete, you ought to take one of your beautiful oil cans and lubricate the hardware on your squeaky garage door, so ir won’t scare you any more. Great video, I have always loved Stanley planes. An aluminum handle..... great idea!

[@russellmcclenning9607]

Thanks another great video.

[@kenny5174]

Thanks for the video, and the memories! I was one of those kids on the wrecking crew!

[@BornSailor2]

You finally lost me. I'm a Pepsi drinker.........lol Keep those post coming. First thing I look for in morning to grab my bit of morning glee. Thank You.

[@kurtarmbrust]

Don't give up the dream. Make a pattern your old students would be proud of with your name on it. A real collectors item.

[@SuperBowser87]

I would like to have some aluminum handles for a few of my planes that have the beautiful rosewood handles. I’m always afraid that I’m going to break the ends off of them. BTW when I was a kid my dad said I could tear up an iron wedge. We also had those plastic pocket combs that had unbreakable stamped into them if you remember those. He would give me one and say I’m sure you will prove them wrong. Miss my dad like you miss yours.

[@BeachsideHank]

Were you a Vitalis or a Brylcreem guy?

[@stanervin6108]

Don't think that I've ever seen you cast brass before, but would be mighty eye pleasing for a replacement. Maybe a smidgen heavy, but good tools have a heft to them.

[@steve6139]

I'm looking forward to the 2x72 belt sander video.

[@Cttruckn]

Love the video Mr. Pete I am into hand tool woodworking I have a no.3 2 no.5s a no.7 and 2 that I made with The mill and surface frinder been making some wooden handles from walnut.

[@mrpete222]

👍👍👍

[@Milkmans_Son]

Someone has probably already covered this in an earlier comment, but YT makes it too hard to check so here it is again (from Patrick's Blood and Gore) "Sometimes, you'll find a plane with a hard rubber tote with "B of E" embossed on each side. These were sold by Stanley to school systems as replacement totes for the poor planes that suffered the onslaught of destruction as wrought by the punks of yesteryear. "B of E" stands for Board of Education. These replacement totes were offered during the 1910's-1920's, when they were replaced with aluminum totes during the early 1930's. The replacement totes are most often found on the jack planes since they were the commonly used planes in the school systems across the USofA." The same site also mentions they used stained hardwood instead of rosewood during the war and from the mid 1950's onward.

[@mrpete222]

Thank you, that is interesting to know

[@samdavis5079]

Just got back from my local horrible freight, the shelves were damn near empty. I asked if they were not getting deliveries. Was told that they are only getting deliveries of items made in the USA, if it comes from overseas they are not getting it.

[@mrpete222]

And 98% of it comes from China

[@samdavis5079]

Exactly why the shelves are empty

[@fixitmakeit]

you do these projects because they give pleasure and satisfaction , to you and your viewers .

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@not2fast4u2c]

Got my big 20 ounce plus insulated coffee mug full of Maxwell house coffee .So I am ready for my morning video

[@bentontool]

Greetings Sir... These handles sell on eBay for $20-30... great video but I would buy rather than build... I have too many challenges just with my old age to tackle this... you are a better man that I... P.S. You did the right thing... do not destroy the handles...

[@tootalldan5702]

Have you ever thought of a router pantograph with your lathe? You could reproduce from the shape and follow the pattern. A piece of all thread in the chuck to spindle tailstock. Of course it would be light cuts but would match up well.

[@fredflintstone8048]

I enjoyed the video.. I have a project awaiting my attention which I'm going to get into when the weather cools, and that's making a tote and round front handle for my #8 bailey restoration project. I was thinking about laminating walnut and oak since I have a fair bit laying around.

[@mrpete222]

Yes, do it

[@123232ism]

Hate to admit it...but I was once "one of those kids". Great video sir.

[@Siskiyous6]

Great explanation of the creative process!

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@slypig24]

Great pattern and casting. Hope someone with a 3D printer will make Mr Pete a pattern for casting. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@greaser5691]

This one was fun, Mr Pete! Definitely a challenge easily helped by 3d printing if we don't have someone skilled in patternmaking (such as yourself) to hand, another skill that will fall by the wayside as time passes... :( The problem with unsustainable material usage continues to be a difficulty for manufacturers. Many things can use synthetic substitute materials without any real impact on function. The musical instrument industry is hurting, though. It's great to make a student recorder out of plastic, it's cheap and easy to repeatably make something usable, but once the student is any good they will want something that sounds nice. Things like guitars and violins rely on decent (tone)woods like rosewood, and it's getting much more difficult to source them.

[@tootalldan5702]

At 08:00 if you take the handle and put It on a rotary table, the 3d image from camera data would be modeled into a STL file for someone to 3d print. Just a thought. Also, I do like aluminum but the oxide on the skin isn't good for the body. A paint job would be best for aluminum. Keep making the videos.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks

[@llapmsp]

Another nice video well worth watching. Will be retired in a few months and hope to take up in your foot steps in the shop. Thanks for all you do to make my life better thru your instructions and wealth of information. God bless and stay safe.

[@quintinsmits]

I might be able to 3D scan an original wooden Stanley handle and model a pattern out of that for 3D printing. Got a relatively cheap Banggood 3D scanner a few weeks ago and haven't tried it yet. This seems like a good project!

[@mrpete222]

Try it

[@BradsWorkbench]

I bet you could sale some aluminum replacement handles. Not sure if it would be worth the time but I know I've always wanted one. Always wanted to find one of the aluminum body planes they made for a short time as well

[@robertrowse7878]

That seems to be one of those occasions a match plate would work well. As for the rounding a table router may be an idea.

[@merlin357]

Maybe a bit over the top with complication... but it would be possible to stand one of the existing aluminum totes up on end, take a series of pictures around it, and use software (some is free!) to generate a 3d model/mesh which you could then work with

[@markowen7164]

Thanks Mr Pete.

[@bstevermer9293]

5 years of watching! 1st!!!

[@markowen7164]

What?

[@verdantpulse5185]

It would be easy to use one of the aluminum totes as a loose pattern. For easy ramming, make a wood or styrofoam follower. To make the follower, take a sheet of the follower stock bigger than your flask's face, half the thickness of the pattern. Trace the outline of the pattern on it, then cut it out. Perfection not needed, pretty close is close enough. To use, lay the pattern in its matching cutout and ram one side; flip the flask and pull off the follower. Any sand beyond the pattern's parting plane will be quite thin and right next to a well defined surface, just trim it off with a spoon-slick. Ram the second side to the first. Yes, you'll want to add core prints to the pattern, and if the core prints are frail, you'll want to adjust the follower to support the prints, but the principle remains the same.

[@bugkiller5293]

ok how many people watching Mr Petes video's stop and run out in there shop to see how the plane (or what ever) they got from there dad's compare to all the samples shown? I have done this more than once on several video's. my plane looks identical to the plastic handle one you showed but it say's Craftsman. I am assuming Stanley made them for Sears?

[@mrpete222]

👍👍

[@Daledavispratt]

I'd say it was a success. With a little more refinement you certainly could have rounded the pattern contours but why? You demonstrated that one could definitely cast these totes at home and it gave you an excuse to get out to the foundry and it gave us something very entertaining to watch with our coffee on a Saturday morning. Thanks, Mr. Pete! :-)

[@tindoortailgator]

Lyle, you could make a ''Jig'' to hold the handle then drill the hole thru on the Mill or Drill Press - Just Sayin' Stay Safe, Stay Strong - God Bless...

[@roylucas1027]

Thanks for the fun video. Wood shop was one of my favourite subjects in school. Sixth grade if I remember correctly.

[@mrpete222]

👍

[@countrycraftsman5110]

Here i set watching you talk about totes on hand planes. All the while looking across the bench at a Tote goat.

[@gordbaker896]

It seems that if the handle was not angled quite as much there would be less chance of a blister in the thumb web. More pressure delivered by the palm and heel of the hand. Would you be able to have the no-name handle sawn in half vertically for 2 halfs for your pattern?

[@craigsudman4556]

I've had to repair the tote on all but two of my Stanley planes, most of which I inherited from my Grandfather. Grandpa Charlie was a carpenter back when , if you needed a 2x4 or other 2x lumber you would cut them down using a hand ripping saw from a larger piece of 2x lumber. I was really pissed off when I found out that the threads were not standard and I had to go up in size and re-tap to a 5/16" thread. Do you think Stanley did that to prevent folks from repairing their tools, so that they would have to purchase a new plane from Stanley? Great video Lyle, thumbs up.

[@mrpete222]

I don’t think they gave it much thought, they just wanted to sell as many plans as they could

[@CarlinComm]

Toward the end of the video, you mentioned milling 2 of the handles down to halfs for use as a pattern. Would it be practical to just band saw one in half? Then at least you'd have a matching pair. And you'd only have destroyed one handle in the process. I realize that would be a challenge to hold it true to the blade. I enjoyed watching and learning the process, thank you for taking the time. Laughed out loud at the comment about kids destroying things. I remember doing it but don't think we did it maliciously! Just part of the learning process? Best Wishes!

[@COBARHORSE1]

I was thinking the same thing, but send it out to a wire EDM shop. Only about .020" kerf loss that way. You would have to remember to drill two small holes first, so you could align the two halves for moulding.

[@gregdawson1909]

If you cared to cut one in half you could replace the kerf with an appropriate thickness of shim and avoid scrapping 2 handles..

[@mrpete222]

Yes, but it is very difficult to cut perfectly straight

[@Blackcountrysteam]

Interesting as always !

[@bunggbungg7787]

hi i recently purchased an craftsman 101.07403, having a issue with headstock. the entire spindle seems to be out of center but im not 100% because i do not have any indicators. any ideas on a fix to get it back in alignment ?

[@sbuzz5889]

is there a 2 part molding clay that will take the heat of the aluminum? for pattern? diresta used some for art work from nyc shop.

[@mrpete222]

???

[@chrischapel9165]

As a very small child ( early 1960's) I decided to shove a screw driver (repeatedly) into my dad's buicks radiator...needless to say my dad didn't like my handy work LOL

[@mrpete222]

Ouch

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Watched and very much enjoyed it. How's that dehumidifier working out for you?

[@mrpete222]

It’s drier than a bone down there. And the new one does not seem to heat up the basement like the other one dead

[@Rusty_ok]

I would buy a few of these aluminum castings. You should put them on eBay or something I bet others would buy the rough casting and finish them to their own level of “pretty”. I wonder how the wooden ones were made at stanley. They must have had a specialized machine that followed a pattern so they could get identical results

[@jodydoakes8754]

Thanks for the video. Interesting. Lots of steps. Are you going to heat and air condition that garage? You will be glad you did.

[@tedsykora1858]

I like your core idea. Very simple compared to a baked one. I think fusion 360 wouldn't have been that impossible but making sawdust has its own type of joy compared to working on a computer.

[@stevethorpe1754]

A cheap power file would of made a quick job of shaping the edges of the pattern of the cast handle. Interesting video .

[@jdog4534]

I was thinking the same thing about you milling them down to a right and a left, or making it a bit wider and cutting it in half and milling each half but then, how well would that stud hold the tote to the plane? It would be reliant on whatever held the 2 halves together..

[@terrytitus9258]

Why didn't you saw one of the "ugly" wood totes in half? Just curious.

[@johndaugherty2287]

I have a wheel with a 7/8 hole with a keyway. I have a motor with a 5/8 shaft. Can I use a bronze bushing that's 5/8 id and 7/8 od cut a slot for the key and adapt it to work on the motor?

[@mrpete222]

I think that will work

[@johndaugherty2287]

@@mrpete222 thanks!

[@Brigantine2008]

Good video. Don’t let the negativity in the comment section bother you!🇺🇸

[@mrpete222]

Thank you. I think I need to stop reading the comments

[@myronmarcotte7072]

I always feel a bt ripped-off when you trivialize the foundry process as it is my favorite part. I know I'm weird. Thanks Mr. Peterson.

[@mrpete222]

Yes. But take note of how many views on this vid.

[@michael931]

@@mrpete222 OK. I'm going to watch 5,000 times....

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@Shuka02]

Why not make a plaster mold and cast the handle halves in resin to make a pattern.

[@mrpete222]

Yes, but also very laborious

[@trackjosh]

Could make a casting of the original aluminum handles out of plaster of Paris or wax so you wouldn’t have to destroy them?

[@markowen7164]

If my teacher was like you. I might have gone to school. I mostly didn't. Mmmmmm

[@MrShobar]

So can we assume that you're presently living with the consequences of your own choices?

[@51-FS]

@@MrShobar i would assume that u would be walking around with a boot up your bum if you was to say that to his face....

[@evil16v1]

@@51-FS yup..lol

[@ysgolgerlan]

Thank you for the time and effort in making this video. Like you said, it would be possible to 3D print it but you are keeping the Old School manual skills going. What if all the computers in the world suddenly decided to stop working, we would be in real trouble unless ...... Call Mr Pete.

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@algerc.5492]

Next project suggestion.... How about casting a Stanley A5 or A4 aluminum body plane.

[@mrpete222]

I might do that. But perhaps in the number three size or even a two

[@algerc.5492]

@@mrpete222 That would be great Mr.Pete, I don't think they made a 2 or 3 in aluminum that would be outstanding and I'd buy one for sure.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

My old teacher in woodworks would have give me an "extra lesson" if I had placed that equipment like You do. They should rest on the side, never be placed with the cutter down.

[@ianbutler1983]

I never understood that one. The tool is made to shave wood. How on earth can placing it on a piece of wood harm it?

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

@@ianbutler1983 I learned that more than 50 years ago so I don't remember the details. I guess. Suppose You have other tools laying on the bench, put down this tool on another tool and get knicks in the blade? Why cause ware to the blade on other ways than working on stock mayterial is another one? You also risc to alter the setting of the blade.....

[@fordsonmajor89]

Please direct me where I can purchase your video shop courses. Thank You, Gerry,

[@4speed3pedals]

I would not purchase a Stanley aluminum tote handle just to cut in half. They go for about $40.00 and up with shipping on Flea Bay. Too expensive to waste. I wonder if someone could 3-D print two halves to be used for the mold. That would be ideal but, you still would have to contend with the long 1/4" hole. I think the one you cast looks great and smoothing it by hand with files is very feasible. I wish I had the equipment to cast aluminum.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Great challenge. Tough to model. But I know you will getter doen.

[@jacilynns6330]

Actually I use my hand planes quite a bit. Less noise and dust using a handplane, nicer finish too on wood. Sometimes it's just quicker and easier to reach for a hand tool to do one job. Example to cut down long stock I use a handsaw"not pull saw those are stupid and useless" takes me less time to cut by hand than it would to set it up in a chop saw or get out the skilsaw. For handplanes getting a curved bevelled edge on a long piece of wood to fit it's just quicker and easier to just hand plane it. But my personal opinion is that any woodworker should start off with handtools. Going direct to power tools or worse Cnc is wasteful.

[@mrpete222]

I pretty much agree with everything you said

[@reamer1363]

Great to see an inside to making a children proof handle, now if you could stop them planing nails, I'll watch that one for sure. Hahaha.

[@brucetuckey7909]

Good morning Mr. Pete, Good job on the post . I think you should have rounded the pattern with the router and you would have had a more finished project with little effort. Then a coat of varnish to seal it. Oh well that hide sight, Good video anyways. Coffee done yet?

[@myshopmyrules.3017]

There are files on thingieverse to 3d print a tote.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks I will check it out. I assume I would search the words plane and tote

[@myshopmyrules.3017]

@@mrpete222 I did 2 searches. Hand plane. Stanley. A quick search using the word tote did not show anything on the first few pages.

[@shawnbenson979]

Thank you

[@shawnbenson979]

words of wisdom

[@oldninjarider]

I love the Cushman in the background. Is that the TubalCycle? Sorry for the DC comics reference.

[@bearbarre6435]

When I was a child, I could bust up an anvil with a rubber mallet. At least that's what my Dear Ol' Dad believed.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@robertroot3044]

U kill me. U make my day!! I love watching your videos. U would love a 3D printer, take my word for it. I think that a tool should be used, not just looked at! U use your tools, I know that. Keep up the good work or fun!!!! By the way, do u drop things as much as I do? Lol

[@mrpete222]

Thanks for watching. I do have a printer. I have a dozen videos on it. I drop things all the time

[@waltcrawford6153]

I would round over the plane handle pattern for you if you would mail it to me. I am a friend of Terry Kirkpatrick and visited you last year with Bob.

[@mrpete222]

Thanks for the offer. At least for an hour, I am done with totes. Look at the view count for this video. This is a subject that no one is interested in

[@pneumatic00]

I don't see why it would be so hard to drill that through hole.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I took autoshop instead of wood shop back in the 80s. My new found love of old wood planes stems from a really rusty old plane with beautiful rosewood tote. I have collected a few since that one, I always look for good original rosewood. The rest of those things are pretty bullet proof. Aluminum would not interest me for this tool. I work on aircraft, aluminum is what I do daily.

[@W4BIN]

He makes the experimental form from "good wood" and it turns out to be "particle board" as was the Menard purchase. Ron W4BIN

[@mrpete222]

Yes

[@MaturePatriot]

School age children can destroy an anvil, I know....i was one....destroyed my share of stuff. We always learn something, like a good way to make a small diameter core.

[@mrpete222]

lol

[@walkertongdee]

Aluminum is a somewhat soft metal but one cant use a plane on it...

[@rootvalue]

Isn’t this TIPS #651? I thought the plumb Bob was #650.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Raised 2, know what you mean!