Stanley No. 62 Low Angle Plane – The Legendary Bevel-Up Jack Plane for Versatile Fine Woodworking
1. Introduction
The Stanley No. 62 Low Angle Plane—often referred to as the Low Angle Jack Plane—is one of Stanley’s most iconic and sought-after woodworking planes. Featuring a bevel-up cutting iron and a low 12° bed angle, the No. 62 excels at end-grain work, shooting, smoothing, and fine planing tasks that require clean, tear-out–free cuts.
Originally designed as a versatile, multi-purpose plane for cabinetmakers, patternmakers, and furniture builders, the No. 62 has become legendary for its ability to handle difficult grain and end-grain with ease. Its bevel-up geometry later inspired modern premium planes from Lie-Nielsen, Veritas, and other high-end toolmakers.
This article provides a complete guide to the Stanley No. 62 Plane—its history, features, restoration, and collector appeal.
2. History of the Stanley No. 62 Plane
The No. 62 was introduced in the early 20th century as part of Stanley’s line of bevel-up, low-angle planes.
Historical Highlights
- Introduced around 1905
- Designed as a low-angle jack plane for end grain and difficult woods
- Featured a bevel-up iron, uncommon in Stanley’s bench-plane designs
- Less popular among mainstream trades, leading to limited production
- Discontinued mid-century but revived by modern premium toolmakers
- Now considered one of Stanley’s most valuable and desirable vintage planes
The No. 62’s limited original production run makes it highly collectible today.
3. Manufacturer Background – Stanley Rule & Level / Stanley Works
Stanley, founded in 1843, dominated the hand plane market with unmatched innovation and engineering. The No. 62 reflects Stanley’s forward-thinking approach to creating versatile, multi-purpose smoothing and shooting planes.
Stanley Engineering Features in the No. 62
- Bevel-up blade design
- Low-angle 12° bed
- Adjustable mouth
- Precision-machined sides suitable for shooting boards
- Thick iron for reduced chatter
This plane represents the peak of Stanley’s specialty plane development.
4. Design and Features of the Stanley No. 62 Low Angle Plane
Every element of the No. 62 is designed around low-angle bevel-up performance.
Specifications
- Length: approx. 14 inches
- Iron width: approx. 2 inches
- Bed angle: 12° (low-angle design)
- Blade orientation: bevel-up
- Weight: approx. 4½ lbs
- Body: cast iron with adjustable mouth
Core Features
- Bevel-up cutter enabling variable cutting angles
- Low 12° bed angle ideal for end grain
- Adjustable mouth for coarse or fine work
- Thick blade for stability and minimal chatter
- Flat, machined sides perfect for shooting
- Longer jack-plane length for versatility
Why Woodworkers Love the No. 62
- Exceptional end-grain performance
- Wide-ranging versatility (smooth, jack, shooter)
- Can handle difficult, reversing grain
- Design inspired numerous modern premium planes
The No. 62 is a true all-purpose performer—powerful, refined, and predictable.
5. Usage & Applications
The No. 62 is one of the most versatile planes ever produced.
Ideal Uses
- Shooting end grain
- General smoothing
- Light jointing
- Trimming and fitting
- Working difficult or figured grain
- Planing hardwoods
- Cabinetmaking and fine furniture
Why It Works
The bevel-up geometry allows the user to change cutting angle simply by altering the bevel:
- 25° bevel → 37° effective angle (low-angle smoothing / end grain)
- 33° bevel → 45° effective angle (general bench-plane equivalent)
- 38° bevel → 50° effective angle (high-angle smoothing for wild grain)
This flexibility is unmatched by traditional bevel-down planes.
6. Restoration of a Stanley No. 62 Plane
The No. 62 is highly desirable, so careful restoration is essential.
Typical Restoration Steps
- Disassemble adjusters, iron, lever cap, and mouth plate
- Remove rust with Evapo-Rust or citric acid
- Lap the sole lightly (necessary for shooting performance)
- Sharpen the bevel-up iron with a precise micro-bevel
- Clean and lubricate the adjustable mouth mechanism
- Preserve japanning whenever possible
- Test performance on end grain and hardwood
Optional Upgrades
- Thick aftermarket blade (Hock, Veritas)
- Polished mouth edges for cleaner shaving release
- Lapped sides for shooting accuracy
Restoration Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-flattening the sole near the mouth plate
- Rounding the sides (important for shooting boards)
- Over-grinding the iron (expensive to replace)
- Removing japanning unnecessarily
A properly restored No. 62 is a top-tier performer even by modern standards.
7. Collectability & Value
Because of its rarity and performance, the No. 62 is one of the most collectible Stanley planes ever made.
Typical Value Range
- User-grade: $250–$350
- Good condition: $350–$500
- Sweetheart-era: $500–$750
- Excellent/complete examples: $750–$1,000+
Value Factors
- Mouth-plate completeness and condition
- Sweetheart or earlier iron marking
- Japanning percentage
- Sole condition (cracks or pitting reduce value)
- Frog mechanism originality
- Flatness and usability for shooting
Collectors and fine-woodworking professionals both seek out the No. 62.
8. Finding Manuals, Parts & Additional Resources
Documentation Sources
- Stanley catalogs (1905–1940)
- VintageMachinery.org archives
- Blood & Gore plane database
- Stanley type-study references
- Tool-collector forums
Replacement Parts
- Hock Tools, Veritas, and Lie-Nielsen iron replacements
- Reproduction mouth plates
- Replacement lever caps & screws (collector sources)
- eBay or tool meets for original vintage parts
Due to high demand, No. 62 parts are frequently reproduced.
9. Final Thoughts
The Stanley No. 62 Low Angle Plane is one of the greatest planes Stanley ever built—combining versatility, precision, and exceptional end-grain performance in a single tool. Its bevel-up design and adjustable mouth give it capabilities unmatched by traditional bench planes, and its influence lives on in the many modern low-angle planes it inspired.
For woodworkers, the No. 62 is a top-performing plane that earns a permanent place on the bench.
For collectors, it is a desirable and historically significant gem.
Quick Reference Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Stanley No. 62 Low Angle Plane |
| Manufacturer | Stanley Rule & Level / Stanley Works |
| Era | 1905–Mid 20th Century |
| Length / Iron | ~14″ / ~2″ |
| Bed Angle | 12° (bevel-up) |
| Key Feature | Adjustable mouth & low-angle performance |
| Best Uses | End grain, smoothing, shooting, difficult grain |
| Rarity | High |
| Typical Value | $250–$1,000+ |
| Restoration Difficulty | Moderate |
| Collectability | Extremely High |
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