I recently stumbled upon a really old Stanley #3 type 2 plane at a garage sale, which was pretty crusty. As someone who enjoys restoring tools as a hobby, I usually deal with mid-century Stanley planes that hold some value but aren't anything rare. Since this plane is older, I'm unsure if I should fix it up or just sell it in its current condition. Any advice from those who've been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Definitely share some pictures! The decision to restore or sell really hinges on the condition of the plane. If it's in rough shape, some buyers might still appreciate its history, while others prefer a restored piece.
Just a heads up! If you respond to yourself, I might miss the updates, so keep that in mind!
Honestly, you might just want to sell it as a type 2 and use that cash to grab a few newer models. I think collectors appreciate the older ones, but a cleaned-up version might not add much more value.
Yep, that’s been on my mind! Trying to figure out if cleaning it would make a big difference.
I can't speak to the exact rarity or value, but I like to choose tools for use. If you come across something valuable, you could always sell it to a collector and use the profits to buy something else. For your situation, I didn’t get those links to work, but as for the cleaning question—I get it, collectors often have their preferences, and it can be tough to navigate that.
Exactly! I’m planning to sell it regardless, but I'm torn about cleaning it first.
I read through your post and initially thought you meant an actual airplane! As for your plane, I’d suggest leaving it as it is. An old tool like that would make a great wall decoration!
Got it! I'll make sure to snap some pics—crusty is putting it lightly!