Character
The Record No. 5 SS is a British jack plane fitted with the Stay-Set system — a patented cap iron mechanism designed to hold the iron more reliably and return it to the same setting after sharpening.
The Stay-Set series represents one of the distinctive British contributions to bench plane development in the twentieth century, addressing the need for repeatable iron setting in workshop use.
Construction
Cast iron body in standard jack plane proportions. The Stay-Set cap iron uses a two-part mechanism that separates the setting function from the locking function, allowing the iron to be removed for sharpening and returned to the same depth of cut.
Use
A jack plane for initial stock preparation and rough flattening of boards. The No. 5 length suits mid-range work — longer surfaces than a smoother, shorter runs than a fore or jointer plane.
Notes
This page documents the Record No. 5 SS as held in the collection. The Stay-Set series (No. 4 SS, No. 5 SS, No. 5½ SS, No. 6 SS) is systematically represented in the collection.