I was given these 2 planes yesterday

[Dave Bagwill]

...and I really don't know what to do with them. The mechanisms look the same, except that one has that 'Bailey' stamped on the metal.
It looks like the mechanisms are just screwed onto a wooden body, with the slit cut into the sole.
I would like to be able to use them - the irons are good, things work etc. - do you have any suggestions? I'm not looking to restore them so much as do what it takes to make them useful.

[dave d]

I have the same plane, picked up at an auction. I trued up the sole with the sides, using a jack plane, and it works fine for general tasks. It doesn't have the precision of my metal-bodied planes, but is fun to use.

[Kevin in California]

Dave, just send them to me and you won't have to worry about them :0

Nice gift....I have a 24" transitional plane I'm going to tune up and use to flatten my workbench top

[Dave Bagwill]

Do either of you know if the mechanism itself is capable of jointing accuracy, if I was able to fabricate a good body for it?

[Kevin in California]

sure Dave, get yourself a block of myrtle, that would be perfect for a new body, be prepared to get out your chisels.

[ken cierp]

True, I am kind of lazy -- but wouldn't be easier to take a minute and make sure that the blocks on there already are square and flat? Rework if/as required and go to work.

[Dave Bagwill]

The soles are in bad shape, but could perhaps be trued up. They are so cracked and ridged though that I don't know how to judge if they would be worth it.