Union Planes and what I know about them

My Union Planes and what I know about them

The typical Union Planes are on par with Bailey but, the “X pattern” Unions, with their double adjusting nuts are perhaps a bit superior.

In 1900 Union Purchased Derby (Birmingham) Plane Manufacturing.

1900-1903 Union only manufactured the B plane.

In 1920 Stanley Purchased the Union plane division. (reference Patented Transitional and Metallic Planes in America, 1827-1927 (Vol. I)

The earliest Unions had this adjuster ( what is considered a type one union has a mosher patent adjuster)

Then they switched to

• The first two from the left are from the Union Patent (see below). Which came first is unknown at this time.
• It’s believe the Union on the cap didn’t come until the Stanley buy out.
• The Cutter with “Union Plane Co” with the hole toward the cutting edge would be Stanley made.
• All the wording or numbering was in the bed behind the frog or tote on early models.
• There are differences in the later Union and Stanley bases. The center post for the frog base is a little different. On some the pin for the lateral washer is distinctive on the Unions, although this is not on all of them.
• Also the knob and tote on Unions are typically mahogany (Union) and not rosewood.

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The Union X Series were from patents from John W Carleton and George E Trask.There were two versions, one with the locking nuts and one version with just the lever and no locking nuts. The version without locking nuts were only used on some transitionals

The Union X series was made in X2, X3, X4, X4 ¼, X4 3/8, X4 1/2 , X5, X5A (#5 ½ size), X6, X7, and X8

This is US Patent: 763,721

Patentees: John W. Carleton – New Britain, CT and George E. Trask – New Britain, CT

Applied:Oct. 26, 1903

Granted:Jun. 28, 1904

It was the X500 Series that had the lever without the locking nuts

US Patent: 746,285

Patentees: John W. Carlton – New Britain, CT and George E. Trask – New Britain, CT

Granted: Dec. 08, 1903

Here is a typical early Union #3

See the A UNION #3 WITH THE MOSHER PATENT LATERAL post

Union Bought Upson Nut (Standard Rule) in 1900

Union Examples

Union #100 Squirrel tail Block Plane

Union #100 Squirrel tail Block Plane Additional Union Examples (My #100-032223-1)

Union #101. Block Plane - Thumb Plane

Union No. 101. Block Plane, 3 inches long, 1 inch Cutter The catalog states: "These Planes are small but well made, and are much esteemed by Toy Dealers,makers of Boys' Tool Chests, etc." These small planes are often referred to as thumb planes...

Union #110 Block Plane

Union #110 Block Plane Restored Additional Union Examples (My #U110-011223-1)

Union #110 Block Plane

Union #110 Block Plane Union #110 Block Plane with a Stanley Blade.This will make an excellent user or a good addition to a Union collection. Additional Union Examples (My #U-100924-1)

Union #120 Block Plane

Union #120 Block Plane I think the cap has been restored. Body is original.

Union #139 Knuckle Block Plane (Like Stanley #19)

Union #139 Knuckle Block Plane (Like Stanley #19) 7" long This plane did not work when I got it. I thought the teeth were worn off the lever that engages the blade, so I changed it. It still did not work. To make it work properly I had to shim...

Union #227 BLOCK PLANE

Union #227 Block Plan I believe this is a Union #227 with a replacement blade. Additional Union Examples

Union #3G Corrugated Smoothing Plane

Union #3G Corrugated Smoothing Plane Additional Union Examples (My #U3G-091017-1)

Union #3G Smoother

  Union #3G Smoother Length 8” base 9” with overhang Blade width 1 3/4” weight 2lbs 14 ozs   An original Union 3G made with the patented lateral adjuster Note the “Patent Applied for” on the lateral. According to PTAMPIA, this was part of...

Union #4 Smoother

Union #4 Smoother A little later Union, although not all parts are likely original. The tote and tote bolt may be from a war time Stanley or another line. The Plane itself is likely from after the Stanley acquisition. The Blade is the heavier (7/64")...

Union #4 Smoother

Union #4 Smoother This is an early Union smoother. Additional Union Examples

Union #41 T&G Plane

Union #41 T&G Plane Additional Union Examples (My #41-092722-1)

Union #4X Smoothing Plane

Union 4X Smoothing Plane Additional Union Examples

Union #5 Jack .(Early Real Union)

Union #5 Jack .(Early Real Union) This is an early Union plane with the original x-series type lateral adjuster. This plane has been completely restored (including stripping and refinishing) and tuned and sharpened as a jack. The iron is an original...

Union #5 Smoothing Plane

Union #5 Smoothing Plane Additional Union Examples

Union #5C Jack Plane

Union #5C Jack Plane A Union 5C Jack plane with a new Hocktools.com High Carbon Tool Steel (O1) Blade. The picture tell most of the story but note the repaired horn and the missing chunk from each side of the knob base. All-in-all this is a beautiful...

Union No. 138. Knuckle Block Plane

Union No. 138. Block PlaneKnuckle Joint Lever, 6 inches long, 1 3/4 inch Cutter Mouth adjustment cam is stamped patented applied for. Lateral is stamped Patent 8.3.97 Additional Union Examples (My...