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Heirloom quality wood works . . .

Union Mfg Co - Union Handplanes

4/9/2018

10 Comments

 
My first handplanes were a couple of Stanley planes, a #4 and 5, that my grandfather Raymond "Mel" Radley left to me. Some years later those planes are still tuned and sitting in my tool cabinet waiting to take the thinnest shavings of wood off of any board.

Although I am not certain when but sometime in the last 10 years I felt that I needed more handplanes to work with. Lie Nielsen planes are pretty much today's standard. Veritas hand planes are very comparable at a fraction of the cost.  Compared to flea market, eBay or garage sale finds they are both a lot more expensive. I like to go against the grain! So instead of choosing Stanley or Bailey planes like most I started looking for something different. After purchasing some Union, Sargent and other misc. planes, then cleaning, sharpening, tuning and repairing them I found my dream series. . . . they were made by the Union Mfg Co in Connecticut.

Why Union handplanes? I feel that they are built better and seam to be heavier than Stanley, Bailey, Sargent, etc. Reason number two - They were only made for approximately 40 years.  Now the hard part . . . . . . . . tool collector vs craftsman . . . . . .  or  . . . . . . craftsman vs tool collector.  Bottom line a fully functional late 1800's or very early 1900's handplane that can hold it's own against Lie Nielsen and Veritas. Both in form and function.

The following information will be used to document the history of Union handplanes, preserving the history of the Union Mfg Co.

Timeline:
1900             Union purchased Derby (Birmingham) Plane Manufacturing
1900 - 1903 Union manufactured the B Plane
1905              Union published the Union Iron and Wood Planes catalogue which was
                       printed  by the Adkins Printing Company located in New Britain, Conn.
1922              Union Mfg Co creates a new subdivision the Union Plane Co.            
Post 1930    Union Mfg Co sells the Union Plane Co division to Stanley. This is believed to 
                      be in 1936.
1957             Miller Falls acquires the Union Tool Company - which is NO relationship to
                      Union Mfg Co and/or Union Plane Co. 
   
 
10 Comments
Jean
12/24/2019 10:45:23

Hi, I have just seen a Union #4 3/8 for sale. The number is cast in front of the knob. Any information?
Thanks

Reply
Bud link
1/20/2020 10:25:29

Jean,

The fractional sizes are rare. Keep in mind that original parts, no damage, etc. contribute to the price It is common for there to be a chip on the tote. For top dollar it should be left all original - light to mild cleaning is fine.

Reply
Brent
11/13/2020 14:45:33

This may be a long shot but you didn’t happen to buy that Union 4 3/8 did you? I’ve been looking for one for a long time now.

Reply
Dan
4/24/2020 09:45:56

Question: I have a Union #5 with one frog screw missing. Can't seem to find a replacement at the hardware stores. Do you know the size of the frog screw for that plane? Thanks, Dan

Reply
Bud
4/26/2020 13:32:26

Dan,

Have you tried checking ebay? Lot of times you can find them on there. If your still not having luck finding one let me know I may have an extra somewhere.

Thanks,
Bud
@emillliswoodworks

Reply
Dan
5/2/2020 14:47:26

Bud, thanks for the offer. I haven't found any yet. Just got some Stanley frog screws (12-20) from ebay - the diameter seems to be correct, but thread is too coarse. Tried some M5-8 and they don't work, so I'm still looking. The one screw that I have does not seem to be buggered up and it works in both holes, so I don't think that the plane was rethreaded. I'll keep looking.

Reply
Dan
5/14/2020 15:03:26

FYI: Just tried some 10-24 screws, they work but I'm not sure if its an exact fit. Maybe this plane uses Whitworth specs?

Reply
Dan
5/14/2020 15:05:06

Correction: 12-24

Reply
Dave
6/13/2020 21:37:23

I just got an Union No 5 but it has a "Keen Kutter" blade. I believe my plane is an early version. Do you know where I can source an original Union blade?

Reply
William Eviston
10/26/2020 10:31:06

I was dusting off a Union 137 double end plane on my workbench, and after searching, realized it is different from others I saw in that there are no crossbars. The blade is held tight by a lever under the cap. More looking and I am speculating this may be an early type soon after merging with Birmingham plane? Does this make it interesting.?

Reply



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