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The Stanley No. 57 is a discontinued patternmaking plane for cutting semicircular channels in wooden core boxes. Those boxes form cores used in foundry molds to create holes or internal cavities in castings. Its V-shaped sole, pointed cutter and removable extensions make it a specialized tool—not a general-purpose bench plane.
What does a Stanley No. 57 core-box plane do?
A core box is a form used to make a core for a foundry mold. The core occupies space in the mold, leaving a hole or cavity in the finished casting; an engine-block cylinder bore is one example of a feature made this way. The No. 57 shapes the curved channel in the wooden core box that forms the core.
How does the plane make a semicircular channel?
The No. 57 has a V-shaped sole and a pointed cutter. As the plane travels along the work, its sides bear on the edges of the developing groove while the cutter passes through the V’s vertex. The tool shapes a semicircle, with the groove’s width determining the resulting diameter.
Wood Magazine describes the iron as 7/8 inch wide. Because the narrow cutter removes wood relatively slowly, the usual approach was to rough out the channel with gouges or other tools and use the plane to finish it.
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- Precision Planing Control: Cutter manually adjusts for depth and alignment to support controlled smoothing and trimming tasks
- Durable Cast-Iron Base: Cast-iron base with precision-ground sides and bottom is designed for stable, accurate planing performance
- Hardened Cutter Edge: Hardened and tempered steel cutter edge is built for durability through repeated use
- Quick Iron Removal: Quick-release cam-lock is designed to make iron removal easier during adjustment and maintenance
- Comfortable Hand Positioning: High-impact polymer handles and knobs are contoured and polished for comfort and control
What groove sizes can the No. 57 make?
Published descriptions disagree about the plane’s maximum capacity, so the figures should not be combined into a single verified specification.
| Source | Reported working capacity |
|---|---|
| Wood Magazine | With one extension on each side, 1–5 inches in diameter; with two extensions in place, up to 7 1/2 inches; with the full set of three extensions, up to 10 inches. |
| Patrick’s Blood & Gore | Describes the No. 57 as cutting semicircles up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. |
The sources do not explain the discrepancy. Treat the figures as source-specific reports rather than a settled maximum.
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- General purpose, ideal for 1-12-020 Makers, craft and all light duty jobs
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What are the extensions for?
The extensions attach to the plane to widen its working capacity, allowing it to form larger-diameter channels. Wood Magazine’s reported ranges distinguish the base arrangement, two extensions and the full set of three. When assessing a used plane, check which extensions and rods are actually included; a listing that shows the plane alone does not establish that the wider-capacity parts are present.
When was the Stanley No. 57 made?
Wood Magazine and Patrick’s Blood & Gore give Stanley’s marketing or production span as 1896–1943. Patrick’s Blood & Gore describes the plane as 10 inches long, with a 7/8-inch cutter and a weight of 6 3/4 pounds. Early examples may have the March 10, 1896 patent date embossed on the casting, and the V-shaped cutter is manually adjustable. A patent marking can help identify an early example, but does not by itself establish the plane’s exact production date.
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- Professional smoothing plane
- Simple and Rapid adjustment mechanism
- Made from accurately machined fine grey iron castings
A 1922 Stanley catalog describes the No. 57 as a core-box plane for making circular core forms, straight or tapered. The catalog scan is hosted by Scribd and is historical product literature, not a current manufacturer statement: 1922 Stanley catalog. An early Stanley description reproduced by Patrick’s Blood & Gore calls it “A tool much needed by Pattern Makers, Wheelwrights, and others…”
What should you check when buying a vintage No. 57?
It is a discontinued specialist or collector tool. Before buying, use the seller’s photographs and description to assess:
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- Professional smoothing plane
- Simple and Rapid adjustment mechanism
- Made from accurately machined fine grey iron castings
- Cutter: Check that it is present and inspect its visible condition.
- Sole: Look for damage or wear that could affect how the plane bears on the work.
- Extensions and rods: Confirm exactly which parts are included rather than assuming a complete set.
- Completeness: Compare the listing’s parts with the seller’s stated configuration and intended work.
Wood Magazine says a No. 57 in good condition with all three extensions might bring upwards of $400. That is a source-specific observation, not a current market quote. In September 2002, the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association reported that one near-new example in a fine picture-labeled box sold for $1,870. That single historical auction result is not a present-day valuation. The available figures do not establish a current price range; value depends on the specific example and current sales evidence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is there a modern alternative?
Wood Magazine identifies a core-box router bit as the No. 57’s descendant. It is a modern route to making a similar groove, but it is not the same tool and does not reproduce the hand plane’s method. The available sources do not identify specific current bit models or their compatibility, so check the bit’s requirements against your router before choosing that approach.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Professional smoothing plane
- Simple and Rapid adjustment mechanism
- Made from accurately machined fine grey iron castings
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
