Some months back I was out picking and ran across this Stanley No 46 Dado and Plow Plane at a yard sale. It looked to be in pretty good condition with no cracks or breaks. This Combination plane was made from 1874 to 1942. The early versions were japanned. They were similar to the No.45 but with fewer blades and the blades were ground straight across and skewed.

 

 

This one only had the blade that was in it and as I have learned, that is usually the case. If you can find extra blades they will usually cost more than the plane.

 

The handle and knob were Rosewood. As you can see, it appears someone made a new knob for this one, but the handle is Rosewood.

 

As with the No.45 it has a floral motif early on.

 

 

The number was a little hard to read when I found it. Almost looks like it was ground off.

 

 

Either that or it had a hard life as it looks like it was hammered on or dropped. But all in all it is a nice plane and will fit nicely in the display cabinet.

 

 

I believe I have an extra Rosewood knob I can put on it to bring it back a little closer to original.

 

I just love finding these!

 

 

That's a beauty, John!

Just now, lew said:

That's a beauty, John!

 

Thanks Lew! First one of these I had seen.

47 minutes ago, John Moody said:

and will fit nicely in the display cabinet.

seriously...

that nice find is a must use tool...

19 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

seriously...

that nice find is a must use tool...

 

Well I may give it a try, but I sure like just looking at it!

 

Awesome tool.  Love the look too.

Nice save John.  When you clean one of these up for your display cabinet do you take it the last step and sharpen the blade?  Just curious,

Cal

5 hours ago, clhyer said:

Nice save John.  When you clean one of these up for your display cabinet do you take it the last step and sharpen the blade?  Just curious,

Cal

 

Yes, I usually try to make it a usable tool if possible whether I take it out or not. I like to see how they work for myself. This particular one, I haven't done anything with it yet. I found it and brought it in and set it down and had almost forgot about it.

 

Nice find, Sir!!  Thanks for sharing.  I really like my 46 alot even though I haven't gotten to use it too much as of yet. Much like yours, mine was found at a roadside flea market with only the blade that was in it.  It was in an ugly state too with plenty of corrosion and a mud dobber nest on the fence.  I did manage to locate the blades for it but all I can say about that is ouch!  I threw in a couple pictures before and after for comparison of differences among types.  I believe this one is a type 7 with the removeable cast guard fence instead of the Rosewood fence.

I'll to to post some pictures today of the two 45's I have. One is complete and the other was a user I got from an estate sale.

 

looks like yours cleaned up very nice.