Stanley used to make a good plane.  In fact, I bought this plane as an addition to a Stanley block plane I have owned for 30 years, which has given excellent service all that time.  This plane, however, is a piece of junk.  The casting was so poorly done that the sole of the plane was not flat, and spurs left over from the casting that had not been machined off prevented the plan from nesting in the plane body so that the blade had adequate throat clearance.  I sent it back to Stanley for a refund and bought a competitor's plane.