Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Stanley Bed Rock Planes
April 12, 2015 38 Comments
Stanley Bed Rock no. 605C, Type 6, c. 1912-1921
History
The motivation behind Stanley’s decision to develop the Bed Rock line of planes is debatable. However, given their genius at marketing and creating demand, I suspect it was driven by a couple of different factors. In 1895, Justice Traut patented what would become the basic Bed Rock design. That same year, E. A. Schade patented the frog adjustment feature that would initially be used on the Bed Rock planes, and eventually (1907) would become a mainstay feature of the Bailey line of planes.
 J. A. Traut Patent 536,746, Apr 2, 1895 |
 E. A. Schade Patent 545,732, Sept. 3, 1895 |
The introduction date of Bed Rock planes is a little uncertain. They first appeared in Stanley catalogs in 1900, but there is some evidence they may have begun manufacture as early as 1898. Apparently there was a dispute over the Schade patent, because those sold for the first year or two have the Sept. 3, 1895 patent date on the bed milled out. This was done by the factory, and after the body had been japanned, indicating there was some sort of legal dispute over the Schade patent that required a last minute intervention prior to the planes being sold to the public. By 1900, the milled out date was gone and just the single APR 2, 95 date from the Traut patent remained stamped into plane bodies until about 1911, when Stanley introduced a major design change.
Differences between Baileys and Bed Rocks
The Bed Rock line was marketed as Stanley’s premium line of bench planes. There were two primary differences between the Bailey line and the Bed Rocks, and both were in the frog design.
1. The mating surfaces of both plane body and frog was substantially larger than on the Bailey planes, and the frog on the Bed Rock fit into a groove on the body, eliminating any slop or shifting of the frog once in place. As Stanley described it in their marketing material:
The absolute solidity and one-piece effect of the “BED ROCK” PLANE is as much a fact as if the parts were all one, for the reason that the entire under surface of the Frog is in perfect contact with the solid seat cast in the Plane Bottom. The frog and the Bottom are so perfectly fitted together, that from the Plane Iron to the Bottom, the Plane is as one solid piece of metal. This form of construction positively prevents any chance of vibration.
2. Additionally, the Bed Rocks originally featured the frog adjustment mechanism that was patented by Schade on Sep. 3, 1895. This same feature was eventually added to the Bailey line in 1907. Again, as described in a Stanley catalog:
The width of the mouth may be regulated and made wider or narrower as coarse or fine work may require. First remove the lever and cutter and loosen the two frog screws that fast en the frog t o it s seat. With a screw driver turn the center adjusting screw to the right to close the mouth, and to the left to open it. When the frog is in the position desired, tighten the frog screws and replace the cutter and lever .
Of course, there were other less significant differences as well. Interestingly, Stanley used the same numbering system for the Bed Rocks as the Baileys for the first 2 years of manufacture. It wasn’t until 1900 that the ‘600’ series of numbers (602 through 608) were cast into the plane bodies. Stanley also had a Bed Rock branded lever cap that was used to help distinguish the two lines. The first design of this cap was marked ‘STANLEY’ on one line, then ‘R.&L.Co.’ on a middle line, with ‘BED ROCK’ on the bottom line. In 1908 the middle line was removed and caps were marked ‘STANLEY’ over ‘BED ROCK.’
Stanley Bed Rock no. 607 Type 3 c. 1900-1908
Major Design Changes of 1911/1912
After the frog adjustment feature was added to the Bailey line in 1907, there was little to clearly differentiate the Bed Rock planes from the Bailey planes. For example, while the frog base design was arguably superior, it was a feature that was not readily apparent unless one were to disassemble the plane. Further, up until this point, the profile of the plane base was the same on both Bailey and Bed Rock lines; with both using the same classic ‘hump’ on each cheek. For Stanley to differentiate the two and justify the premium cost of the Bed Rock, it’s pretty easy to see the reasoning behind the changes they were about to make.
1. On March 14, 1911, Schade was granted another patent for the use of pins and set screws to both attach and adjust the position of the frog. This new design was superior to the previous (and the one provided on the Bailey planes), and set the Bed Rock line apart from all of Stanley’s competitors.
 E. A. Schade Patent 987,081, Mar 14, 1911 |
 The Two Frog Attachment and Adjustment Designs |
2. In addition to the new frog attachment and adjustment design, Stanley, in a move of marketing brilliance, also changed the profile of the body casting, flattening the tops of the cheeks to give the Bed Rock planes a unique look all their own. With such a clear visual distinction, it’s not hard to imagine that this decision was intended to induce those with the financial means to spend a little more and buy the premium Bed Rock planes.
3. The third major change was the addition of a raised receiver for the front knob, and the transition from the low knob to the high knob. It’s interesting that high knobs weren’t introduced to the Bailey line for another 8 years, and the raised receiver wasn’t added to the Bailey design until 1929, some 19 years later!
Miscellaneous
The Bed Rock line included pretty much the same assortment as the Bailey line, with the omission of a number 601, which was never produced. The line included everything else from the 602 to the 608, including half sizes and corrugated versions. The only other exception is that they never made a corrugated version of the 605 1/4.
Bed Rocks were slightly heavier planes with slightly greater mass. The 1934 Stanley catalog offers a comparison, with the no. 603 weighing 1/4 lb more than the Bailey no. 3, and the no. 608 weighing 1/2 lb more than the no. 8.
Prior to the 1911/1912 changes, Stanley manufactured Bed Rock style planes for both Winchester and Keen Kutter. These planes were very similar in design, varying mainly in the lateral adjustment levers, lever caps, and numbering system.
 |
 |
Bed Rock Type Study
The chart below is a summary Type Study of Stanley Bed Rock Planes based on Bob Kaune’s thorough 1996 study and additional research I have conducted over the past several years. Please note that all type studies are approximate as production variations throughout the manufacturing years were quite common. Also keep in mind that Type Studies are present day references, time-lines that map changes in the design and features of tools manufactured in the past. Understand that neither Stanley nor any other manufacturer followed type studies. They didn’t exist at the time. In fact, it is only in the last 30 years or so that type studies have been assembled through historical research and the physical inspection of hundreds or thousands of tools made over the years.
| Bed Rock Distinguishing Features By Type |
Dates |
||
|
Low Knob – Rounded Sides |
Type 1 | Beds marked with Bailey model numbers (Nos.2 to 8.) Space below “PAT’D APR. 2. 95″ was milled out at the factory S casting mark on bed (a single raised dot on some specimens) Frogs & Lever Caps have “B” casting marks Lateral lever has two patent dates “10-21-84 & 7-24-88” STANLEY R & L CO…BED ROCK on lever caps, Q trademark stamp on most irons |
1898 |
| Type 2 | 7-24-88 is the only patent date on the lateral adjustment lever |
1898-1899 |
|
| Type 2a | Model No.603 and 604 beds (only these two) were marked “No.60x” |
1899 |
|
| Type 3 | All beds now marked with “600” numbers, i.e.; No.602 – 608 No milled space below “PAT’D. APR. 2. 95.” on bed, B casting marks Frogs of some planes are nickel-plated on the machined surfaces |
1900-1908 |
|
| Type 4 | B casting marks eliminated. No patent dates on the lateral adjustment lever Lever caps now marked “STANLEY….BED ROCK” Some irons have “S” trademark stamp, later planes have “T” trademark stamp |
1908-1910 |
|
|
High Knob – Flat Sides |
Type 5 | Beds now marked “BED ROCK” in addition to “600” model numbers 2 patent dates behind frog, “PAT’D. APR. 2. 95″ & APR. 19. 10″ Flat-top sides introduced for first time Raised knob receiver (flat version), Tall knobs introduced, “T” tm on irons Frogs are now attached to beds with adjustment pins and set screws |
1911 |
| Type 6 | Lever caps now marked “BED ROCK” Irons stamped with “V” trademark or “X” trademark stamps |
1912-1921 |
|
| Type 6a | 1-1/4″ diameter frog adjustment wheel Iron stamped with “Y” Trademark (1922-1923) |
1922 |
|
| Type 7 | One patent date behind the frog – “U.S. PAT. APR. 19. 10.” Lever caps marked “STANLEY” only in the notched rectangular logo Irons stamped with “AA” Trademark (1923-1935) |
1923-1926 |
|
| Type 8 | Bed now stamped “MADE IN USA” in addition to the one patent date Knob receiver boss now cupped for fitting knob |
1927-1930 |
|
| Type 9 | Beds no longer have a patent date; stamped “MADE IN U.S.A.” only Some lever caps nickel-plated with orange paint behind STANLEY logo |
1931-1932 |
|
| Type 10 | Beds of No.603, 604 & 605-1/4 planes have raised handle receivers Some frogs have orange paint on sides like Bailey planes Lever caps now have kidney-shaped bolt holes Irons stamped with BB tm starting in 1936 |
1933-1941 |
|
| Type 11 | Castings are heavier and thicker during war production years Finishes left rough; lever caps not plated or polished |
1942 |
|
| Type 12 | Frog adjustment nut either hard rubber or small diameter steel Knob and handle are hardwood (maple) with dark varnish stain All brass parts eliminated during war-time production END OF PRODUCTION FOR BED ROCK PLANES |
1943 |
|
The chart below lists specifications for Stanley’s line of Bed Rock planes.
| Plane No. | Dates Made | Iron Width | Length | Weight | |
| No. | 602 | 1898-1942 | 1 5/8 | 7 | 2 lb 4 oz |
| No. | 602C | 1898-1923 | 1 5/8 | 7 | 2 lb 4 oz |
| No. | 603 | 1898-1943 | 1 3/4 | 8 | 3 lb 4 oz |
| No. | 603C | 1898-1935 | 1 3/4 | 8 | 3 lb 4 oz |
| No. | 604 | 1898-1943 | 2 | 9 | 3 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 604C | 1898-1935 | 2 | 9 | 3 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 604 1/2 | 1898-1935 | 2 3/8 | 10 | 4 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 604 1/2C | 1898-1935 | 2 3/8 | 10 | 4 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 605 | 1898-1942 | 2 | 14 | 4 lb 8 oz |
| No. | 605C | 1898-1935 | 2 | 14 | 4 lb 8 oz |
| No. | 605 1/4 | 1925-1943 | 1 3/4 | 11 1/2 | 4 lb |
| No. | 605 1/2 | 1898-1935 | 2 1/4 | 15 | 6 lb 8 oz |
| No. | 605 1/2C | 1898-1937 | 2 1/4 | 15 | 6 lb 8 oz |
| No. | 606 | 1898-1941 | 2 3/8 | 18 | 7 lb 6 oz |
| No. | 606C | 1898-1934 | 2 3/8 | 18 | 7 lb 6 oz |
| No. | 607 | 1898-1943 | 2 3/8 | 22 | 8 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 607C | 1898-1935 | 2 3/8 | 22 | 8 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 608 | 1898-1940 | 2 5/8 | 24 | 9 lb 12 oz |
| No. | 608C | 1898-1935 | 2 5/8 | 24 | 9 lb 12 oz |
_________________________________
References
Kaune, Bob, Bed Rock Type Study, 1996
Sellens, Alvin, The Stanley Plane, 1975
Smith, Roger, Patented Transitional & Metallic Planes In America, Vols. I & II, 1992
Walter, John, Stanley Tools – A Guide to Identity & Value, 1996
Various Stanley catalogs, flyers, pamphlets
Virginia Toolworks 
Thanks for putting this together, I’m very interested in hand tool history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the post, I figured out that I have a type 2, 7C. I was looking for the milled out date on the bed. Also have the shop model for the Sept 3, 1895. It’s amazing how little info there is out there about many other tools.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a Stanley bed rock number 5 , type 1 plane, 1898. Is this a collectible plane? It’s in nice unrestored shape.
LikeLike
Sure! Probably worth $100 to $200, more or less.
LikeLike
I have a “Bedrock” in front of the knob,no604 behind the knob.Behind the frog P A T D Apr.2.95 & Apr.19.10. It weighs 3lbs 12ounces.Can you hazard a guess on date of make.Thanks for all of the information. Reg Watt in Australia.
LikeLike
Somewhere between 1911 and 1922
LikeLike
Hi Bryant,Thanks for your prompt answer to my query. As I will be 90 in May, I figured it was time to gather my planes and work out what to do with them. I am a retired carpenter and bought several of them over 70 years ago. Thanks again,Reg Watt in Australia.
LikeLike
I have a 604 1/2 bedrock marked U.S.PAT APR-19_10. From your guide, it looks like a type 7 with a date of 1923-1926. This was given to me from a ship wright who was a young man in the 1920’s. This in my native England. In fact in has made in England on the inside of the blade.
Does this make it rarer in the US?
I Would like to sale it a collector.
Roger Jackson
LikeLike
Rarer, perhaps, but not more desirable. Regardless, the 604-1/2 planes are relatively valuable on their own.
LikeLike
I acquired a 605c bedrock in a box lot at a Martin Donnelly auction It measures 13 1/2″ long It has
the date 7-24-88 on the lateral adjustment lever with a B casting on the frog I believe it is a type 2a and it has the 605 number on the toe.According to type studies I’ve seen only numbers 603
and 604 have been found. It’s in good condition with all the correct parts. What could it be worth?
Bill K
LikeLike
Market prices vary significantly depending on condition and supply. Check eBay for recent selling prices.
LikeLike
I have a plane which my late husband had. What I can read on one of the ornate knobs is Stanley Rule. It is is the larger if the two.
Looks like patent # one 17 79 or 78. Would like to be able to send you a picture.
LikeLike
You can contact me at vatoolworks@gmail.com
LikeLike
I have a Bailey No. 6 that has PAT’D with the dates of Mar-25-02 and Aug-19-02 on the body of the planer. Could you give me more info to this and how old it may be? Thank you!!!
LikeLike
Type 9 or 10
LikeLike
Thank you for your knowledge.
I Purchased a hand plane the only marks on it are SR&l ther is a x stamped on a norrow bridge across the front and an a stamped in the body.
Can you tell me what I have?
Thank you in advance.
Randy
LikeLike
Sounds like a Stanley made plane of some sort. Impossible to provide more details without a lot more information about the plane.
LikeLike
Hello,
I have a later model 605 with a plain lever cap. No Stanley or Bedrock markings. Is the lever cap non original?
Cheers
Anthony
LikeLike
Not likely original. Sounds like you have an earlier Bailey cap.
LikeLike
Is the only difference between a Bedrock 604 and 604a the 1 1/4 inch brass adjustment wheel on the 504a?
LikeLike
That and the Iron stamped with the Y Tm (1922-1923)
LikeLike
My Stanley bedrock 608 has no grooves on bottom of plane. Pictures of others show grooves. What is the difference?
LikeLike
I have a 605C with one patent date behind the frog, “U.S. PAT. APR. 19. 10,” but it has a low knob on it which doesn’t line up with your chart. Was this ever a possibility or is it most likely someone just replaced the knob somewhere along the way?
LikeLike
Well, the type studies are approximate at best. The low knobs were replace by high knobs around 1919 or so. The single date bed was introduced around 1925, so that’s a pretty wide gap. There’s no way to know for sure, but I’d bet the knob is an earlier replacement. Easy to resolve if you wish. Just buy a Rosewood high knob on ebay.
LikeLike
I have the body of a 605 1/2, with patent dates “APR 2 95” and “APR 1910”. It looks to be 2-11/16 inches wide. I’m looking for a frog, but am unsure of the width that would fit this plane. Any ideas? Thanks & be well, TMH
LikeLiked by 1 person
The 605-1/2 used a 2-1/4″ frog
LikeLike
My Type 7 #606 was given to me by a neighbor, along with a #5 and a #7; her father had acquired them – all 3 are in outstanding condition.
In cleaning them up and sharpening the 606, I noticed that the iron is laminated. It carries the Stanley and Sweetheart logo, do I assume it is a replacement?
I was not aware that Stanley made any laminated irons. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Carey Mitchell
LikeLike
They did up until around 1930.
LikeLike
Thanks; I looked at my other Stanleys and found 3 more with laminated blades. I just never looked !
LikeLike
I have a Bedrock 606 which was given to me by a friend the better part of 40 years ago. I haven’t ever used it very much or thought very much about it’s origins/history. Recently a friend spotted it and told me it was an early Stanley plane so I set about having a look on the internet to learn a bit more about it’s history. I can see that mine is the same as others that are for sale on different websites but your site has been much more helpful for finding out about it’s origins. I have given it a good dusting off and spotted something I hadn’t noticed before. Stamped into the handle, a bit faint but readable is the name F DACHTLER. Given some of the German sounding names from the original patents I wonder if this name might be familiar to anyone with knowledge of Bedrock planes. A ‘longshot’ I know but I feel compelled to ask!
LikeLike
I inherited a 605 1/2 c that has bedrock on the body along with APR 1910, but the cap lever has Stanley over top of the bedrock. Do you thing it was added later? Thanks in advance.
LikeLike
Stanley over Bedrock was found on lever caps dating from about 1908 to 1911. Yours is probably an earlier version that was added as a replacement at some point.
LikeLike
Thannks for the post
LikeLike
Can you help ID this plane? It is a # 4 1/2C size. 11 inches long, (not 10 that most Bedrocks were ) It has a Bedrock type of full contact, ramped frog seat. It uses the Stanley frog moving screw… 1 screw with the little plate, not 3 screws…..
There is no frog. I bought it without
There are NO MARKING whatsoever on the bed. No dates, no letters.
Thanks
Frank
LikeLike
It doesn’t sound like a Bed Rock plane. Likely an early Bailey plane.
LikeLike
All Bailey pattern planes have a non ramped frog seat. The frogs use a pair (really 3) spots of contact with the bad. This plane bed has the Bedrock type of ramped area to interface with the frog.
This arrangement is/was unique to the Bedrocks… or their Stanley made but sold by Winchester or Keen Kutter….. AFAIK.
LikeLike
Without seeing pics it’s hard to tell from the description
LikeLike
Great informative article. I greatly appreciate individuals like you who unselfishly share your knowledge with other tool people, especially novices like me . Thank you.
LikeLike