The Stanley No.12 started life as ‘Bailey’s Patent Adjustable Veneer Scraper’ and was offered from 1870. The No.12 designation appeared soon after in 1871. The name changed to ‘Double Handled Veneer Scraper’ and then from 1912 until its demise in 1947 just as a ‘Scraper Plane’.
I have version that most likely comes from the period 1925-1947. (the one on the right)
And on the left, I also have an unbranded copy.
| Stanley No.12 | Unbranded Copy | |
| Length | 6 1/4 inches | 5 1/8 inches |
| Blade Width | 2 7/8 inches | 2 7/8 inches |
| Body Construction | Cast iron | Cast iron, stained hardwood handle |
| Mouth size | 2 15/16 inches x 3/8 inches | 3 inches x 5/8 inches |
| Finish | Japanned | Painted black |
| Handle | Rosewood handle, 11 inches wide | Stained hardwood handle, 14 1/2 inches wide – with copper ferules |
The general construction of the bodies is very similar – with the exception being that the unbranded one has 5 holes in the base. The quality of the casting and general construction would seem to indicate that the copy was professionally made and not an amateur attempt at copying the Stanley plane. It is possible that the unbranded one was meant as an equivalent to the Stanley No.12 1/2 or 12 3/4 where rosewood blocks would be mounted to the sole.
Several points of note about the unbranded one though:
- The adjustment screw for the angle of the blade was made by me as the one on it when bought was broken. Because of availability – I’ve used M8 brass rod and oversize M8 brass nuts.
- Rather than the handle being screwed to the body – there are bolts inserted into the body and wingnuts fastening the handle to those bolts.
- The blade tightening screw is a brass bolt with wingnut.
- The blade is thinner than on the Stanley
- The copper ferules on the handle are actually copper pipe joiners (they are branded with an Australian Standard number for copper pipe fittings)
Based on the handle – it seems the unbranded one was either made in Australia or has had an Australian owner make changes to it.