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Early Access Video: Super-Tune a Stanley 12-404 (Patreon)

Published:
2019-03-03 00:55:49
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Friends: 

Sometimes you've got to get back to your roots. My roots are cheap tools and it doesn't get any cheaper than the Stanley 12-404. This bargain-basement plane has no frog, no cap-iron and the most ridiculous adjustment mechanism that I have ever seen. 

But it only costs $20, so tally-ho, y'all!

I got one of these and set out to tune it up as good as it could possibly be. I flattened it, ground it, honed it, and modified it. How'd it turn out? 

Kind of not bad. 

Don't believe me? Watch the video. 

--Rex


Files

Previews only

Super-tuning the Stanley 12-404 plane

More video and exclusive content: http://www.patreon.com/rexkrueger Get the FREE tip sheet: Tools in this video (affiliate; scroll for more):

Comments

Jon Hall

Excellent video! I would have never thought to remove the adjuster hardware. Brilliant!

Tello De Santis

That was fun...:). How would this plane compare to the Harbor Freight no. 33 bench plane? It seems to have a lot of the same features of this Stanley. Maybe a comparison of all the inexpensive types one day?

Josh Miller

The amount of detail you are able to break down and make understandable is amazing. Thanks for the effort you put into this craft.

Steve Crane

Thanks for posting this video in response to my cry for help. I'm off to watch the video, then I'll have no excuse for getting bad results from my plane any longer.

Rex Krueger
>>20403862

So, I never heard of the 33 until just this second, but I looked it up and it looks a lot BETTER than the Stanley. Improved design; more iron support; thicker. And it costs less. We truly live in a strange world. And I was just in Harbor Freight this week. I could have picked one up. Crap!

Rex Krueger
>>20409153

I'm glad you think so. I was a little worried about this video being kind of long, but I thought it needed all the detail for anyone to be able to do anything with this plane. If I did any less, it wouldn't have been very helpful. Thanks again!

Rex Krueger
>>20411549

If you keep getting bad results, message me. I bet I can help you out. Getting your first plane tuned up is tough if you're on your own. It took me a year of on-and-off futzing to get my first plane working well. But once I got that one making good shavings, it was easy. Now, I can get ANY plane up and humming in a few hours. It's never hard and always fun.

Steve Crane
>>20411549

Thanks Rex, I'll let you know if I struggle. I also have that No. 5 I found to clean up and tune.

James Boatright

The first one is hard no matter what you have read even if the instructions are perfect. You have to actually learn how to cut parallel bevals, how to hone, etc and those are manual skills. Then learning how much to let stick out, where to put the chip breaker, etc, all takes time

Rex Krueger
>>20421694

Amen to that. I didn't even have to cover the chip-breaker in this video. Whole other can of worms.

Josh Miller
>>20409153

I believe (imho) that you need to condense when you can, and elaborate when necessary. This topic was the latter. Your channel is the only one i have found that truly keeps the "average joe" in mind when it comes to woodworking.

Chris Evans

Good video as usual, looking forward to the bench build.

Drew Nelson

I don't have much money for a plane, but I think I'll pass on this one. Looks like too much work to be worth it. I would love it if you would review one of Grizzly's affordable planes. I just don't know what to buy!

Rex Krueger
>>21244968

If you're low on dough, any plane you get is going to need this much effort. A vintage stanley will be the same. If you can't go Premium (and who can afford that?) then you're just looking at a lengthy restoration. Sorry to say.