HAND TOOL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Stanley Australia Tools

STANLEY™ TOOLS

Founded in 1843, by an enterprising businessman named Frederick Trent Stanley. Stanley established a little shop in New Britain, Connecticut to manufacture door bolts and other hardware from wrought iron.

In 1852 Frederick Stanley and five neighbours established the Stanley Works with 25 staff. In 1857 another Stanly relative started the forerunner of the "Stanley Rule & Level Co". Both companies grew by acquisitions, and in 1920 merged into the "Stanley Tool Division"
Stanley started operations in Australia as Stanley-Titan in 1963 when it bought a 50% share of Titan, previously, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP. Stanley-Titan operated out of its factory in Tasmania. In 1970 Stanley-Titan acquired the Turner Industries Ltd Company, and in 1971 formed the "Stanley Works Company" and moved its head office from Tasmania to the Turner plant in Nunawading, Victoria. Stanley immediately converted Turner branded tools to Stanley brand, or ceased manufacture within two years. In 1976, Stanley acquired the BHP shares, becoming the full owners of the firm. Stanley continued the pattern of acquisitions, notable examples were Rota Tool Boxes in 1990 and Sidchrome / Dawn in 1991. By 2001, Stanley had ceased all manufacture in Australia.

The Stanley handplane and spokeshave product range made in Australia was as follows:

	Stanley Bailey No 110 Made in Australia Typical Stanley # 110 - no adjustment for the cutter
	Stanley Bailey No 220 Made in Australia Typical Stanley # 220 - cutter has slotted underside for advancement by knurled adjuster
	Stanley Bailey No 3 planes. The early production had wooden handles. Later production used black plastic handles
	Two Australian Stanley No 4's. Left one has wooden handles, a sign of early production. The one on the right has black plastic handles, later production. Note the different colour highlighting Stanley on the cap. The one on the right is marked No4 on body, but the box has the model as "12-004". see pics of both boxes below.
	Australian Stanley No 4 with wooden handles came in this box. Casting of base has Made in Australia.
	Australian Stanley No 4 (12-004) with black plastic handles came in this box. Casting of base has Made in Australia.
	Stanley Bailey No 4 plane. Early production with wooden handles - side view.
	Stanley Bailey No 4 plane. Later production with plastic handles - side view.
	Stanley Bailey No 41/2 plane. Early production with wooden handles.
	Australian Stanley No 51/2. Black wooden handles.
	Side view of Australian Stanley No 51/2. Black wooden handles.
	Australian Stanley No 6 with wooden handles.
	Australian Stanley No 7with wooden handles.

Notes

Thanks to Graeme Plaw & Rod Thomas

The HTPAA welcomes any additional information, pictures and ephemera relating to this maker or any other Australian makers.

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This Webpage was last updated on 25 November, 2006

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