Stanley Works used to publish a brilliant booklet called the “Tool Guide” that contained miniature posters that offered instruction on setup, care and use of hand tools.
These booklets weren’t just for woodworkers – you can learn to rivet and create a lock edge on sheet metal with these posters. The 38 pages were bound together, perforated so you could remove them and were pre-punched with holes for a three-ring binder.
Last weekend a student in a class handed me a mint copy of the “Tool Guide” from 1968. He was a retired shop teacher and had used them in his classes. What a treasure. I’ve always wanted one, but they can be hard to come by, especially in this condition.
This morning I read the pages that dealt with handplanes. Stanley packs a bunch of good, no-nonsense information into just seven pages. I scanned them so you could check them out for yourself.
— Christopher Schwarz
Reblogged this on The Obsession Engine and commented:
Father’s Day’s coming up, and I know a couple of dads that would probably get a kick out of this, as well as find it of use!
Woah! Thanks for that. What a treat for a lazy Sunday.
I know this is a touchy subject, but I think this is still covered by copyright, and Stanley might have an interest in republishing the book…
Marketing and promotional materials are meant to be widely disseminated. Ever hear of Dillard’s sueing folks for passing on sales flyers?
Also, not only is there no claim of ownership, it is freely attributed. Still might be a grey area to some folks, but way closer to white than black…
IANAL, YMMV, must be 18 or older to enter, void where prohibited, just pay seperate processing and handling, no cash value, right to make changes or corrections reserved, check my web site for terms and conditions, by reading this post you agree to complete and total release of all claims, past present, and future. 🙂
Thanks, but I am 100 percent in the wrong. It’s copyrighted material that is likely still under copyright – though some lawyers would say it falls under “orphan works.”
I did it as an act of disobedience. Stanley has abandoned the market it once served so well with tools, support and education. I posted the excerpt as a reminder of what Stanley used to be – a quality hand tool company for carpenters, joiners and cabinetmakers.
I’ll gladly take it down when Stanley’s lawyers contact me.
It would make me happy that they cared enough to protect this material.
Chris
Thank you, printed these in New York minute.
Will keep these pages in HandPlane Essentials that some guy wrote.
Has any other plane maker supplied such detailed instructions? As always thanks for the wall art,your contributions are helping to fill the wall nicely. On another note I wanted to make it to Handworks to see H.O’s opus but it is not to be and I will have my book shipped to the house,but on a good note Alf Sharp will be giving a lecture at the Hermitage on 5 /16 for Cumberland Furniture Guild members that I will be able to attend. Old Hickory was a hard man but his home has been well preserved.
These are great! If permissions could be obtained reasonably, seems like this would be great re-print project for LAP. You know…since you don’t have all that much going on. 🙂
Ya. You could exchange rights for that type 11 review they wanted.
I would love to have a copy of all 38 pages for my school would look great on the wall..you still have my email address?
Thought you might like this….I downloaded it to keep it.
Fantastic. Thanks for posting.
I have one of these – we were issued them when I attended woodwork classes in the UK in the early 70s – thanks for the memory jog!
well if anyone has a copy they could copy and send I would be so happy. The Country Woodwright on facebook. Thanks
Dude on Page 5 is either Lee Majors or he looks a lot older than he really is. No way my eyes could focus on anything held that close in front of me.
TYVM Saved and printed . I so could have used this when I bought my 1st plane in 2008 . Thanks Chris .